Pine Valley Ranch

I eased up on the throttle quite bit Wednesday with a mostly level hike in Pine Valley Ranch Park.  Save for one steep climb a couple hundred feet to a great overlook of the park, the six mile hike stayed with the valley of the North Fork of the South Platte River.  Along with the fast-flowing river, a large pond in the middle of the park provided a great setting for a leisurely stroll.  Unlike most seasonal mountain streams, the north fork, I learned, is almost always full of water.  It's one of the natural conduits Denver uses to transport water from the high country down to the city for urban consumption.  Controlled or not the swift current courses through the rocky riverbed provided good company on my walk back to the parking lot.

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Trip Statistics
Length: 5.6 miles
Hike Time: 2 hours 40 minutes

Trailhead Elevation: 6,900 ft.
Maximum Elevation: 7,380 ft.
Net Gain: 480 ft.


Elevation Profile

Park View Overlook

Strawberry Jack Trail

Pine Valley Pond

Pine Valley Meadow

North Fork of the South Platte River