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2.2 miles
Distance
323 ft
Climb
-327 ft
Descent
00:21:36
Avg time
-4 ft
Altitude change
6,403 ft
Altitude min
6,696 ft
Altitude max
6,406 ft
Altitude start
6,404 ft
Altitude end
-0%
Grade
-23.3%
Grade max
21.7%
Grade min
1 mile
Distance climb
1 mile
Distance down
138 ft
Distance flat
00:21:36
Avg time
Nelson Loop Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
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Riding AreaHall Ranch
Lyons, Colorado -
Difficulty Rating
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Voted DifficultyBlue (1 vote)
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Local Popularity100 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 55 in Trail Running
- 100 in Hiking
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Global Ranking
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Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeAM, XC, Fat
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DirectionBoth DirectionsPopular Direction Shown
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Climb DifficultyBlue
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Physical RatingModerate
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Family FriendlyYes
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eBike Allowed
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Land OwnerBoulder County Parks & Open Space
Nelson loop is when the fun descending of Hall Ranch begins Climb all the way up to Nelson loop and prepare for a fast descent the entire way down! This trail is a bi-directional loop but is best when ridden in a clockwise direction. If it has rained or snowed recently this trail tends to get closed easily due to mud.
Access Info
Starting Monday, April 14, 2025 Nelson (clockwise for half a mile) will be closed for bridge maintenance. The project is expected to be completed in three weeks.
Trail Supporters
Outside FestivalSponsor
Local Trail Association
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Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to supportDonate to earn trail karma!
trail development & maintenance.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
Recent Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 13 rides
- 13 miles average
6 Months
- 286 rides
- 13 miles avg distance
All
- 1,667 rides
- Last: Jun 23, 2026
| c1 | c2 | c3 | c4 |
|---|---|---|---|
January | February | March | April |
May | June | July | August |
September | October | November | December |
Nelson Loop Trail Reports
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Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Partial
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
Trail Last Ridden
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- < 2 days
- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
- Downhill Only
- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
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- Videos
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Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades.
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Directions to nelson-loop trailhead
(40.226600, -105.322890)
Photos
33 more »
Videos
6 more »
youtuber
![Mountain Biking Hall Ranch, Upper Bitterbrush...]()
12:49 |
726 |
May 28, 2018 , Lyons
9:03 |
56 |
May 13, 2025 , Lyons
3:13 |
192 |
Jun 8, 2023 , Lyons
22:20 |
266 |
Aug 8, 2022 , Lyons
Routes with this trail
★ 4.0 • 9 miles • 1,547 ft • 8 •
Flow line at Hall Ranch. Lots of fun to be had by all!
Hall Ranch Technical Side Featured
★ 5.0 • 10 miles • 1,594 ft • 6 • Out & Back •
Tackling Hall Ranch up aka "The Rock Garden" bumps this intermediate/advanced area into solid double...
Hall Ranch: Intermediate Fun Featured
★ 4.4 • 7 miles • 1,191 ft • 5 • Out & Back •
This is an great alternative if you're not up to the black diamond challenge. It's primarily uphill all...
3 Reviews & Comments
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Nearby Trails
- Lower Bitterbrush 2 miles
- Upper Bitterbrush 2 miles
- Antelope 2 miles
- Bitterbrush Connector 3 miles
- Johnny Park Road 8 miles
- By todd
Trailforks & contributors - #13703 - 7,363 views
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Frequently Asked Questions About Nelson Loop
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Where is Nelson Loop located?
Nelson Loop is located in Hall Ranch, Lyons, Colorado, United States. It is part of the Hall Ranch trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 40.2266, -105.32289.
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How hard is Nelson Loop?
Nelson Loop is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
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What is the elevation gain for Nelson Loop?
Nelson Loop has 323 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 327 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 6,403 ft to 6,696 ft.
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Is Nelson Loop a point to point trail?
Nelson Loop is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
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