more stats
2.0 miles
Distance
526 ft
Climb
00:19:32
Avg time
526 ft
Altitude change
6,177 ft
Altitude min
6,704 ft
Altitude max
6,177 ft
Altitude start
6,703 ft
Altitude end
4.9%
Grade
-1.4%
Grade max
25.3%
Grade min
2 miles
Distance climb
89 ft
Distance down
79 ft
Distance flat
00:19:32
Avg time

Wapiti Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Horse
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Heil Valley Ranch
    Lyons, Colorado
  • Difficulty Rating
  • Voted Difficulty
    Blue (3 votes)
  • Local Popularity
    75 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 85 in Trail Running
    • 55 in Hiking
    • 5 in Horseback
  • Global Ranking
    #43891 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #48605 in Trail Running
    • #72165 in Hiking
    • #1246 in Horseback
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • eBike Allowed
  • Land Owner
    Boulder County Parks & Open Space

Voted one of the best after-work trails in Boulder County (well, by just one dude who wrote this), and also one of the most filling-removing trails in Boulder County by everyone with a hardtail bike, Wapiti is an action-packed, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride. No, it's not the Lower Bitterbrush over at Hall Ranch. But, yes, it's full of amazing turns, little technical bits, and some amazing Easter eggs (wee little jumpy bits on the edge of the trail). This trail is a fairly steady, but not too steep climb on the way up with a few exciting rock ledges to get up and over. From here you can connect to the Ponderosa Loop and Wild Turkey Trails. On the way down, keep your eyes up and stay in control. This trail is super popular with a variety of crowds (bikes, hikers, and even the equestrians love this trail). On a good day, the downhill is amazing. On a not-so-good day, you'll be stopping to say hello every 30 seconds or so (told ya people like this trail). The surface is a combination of dirt and well-laid out rocks. With a five-inch travel bike (or more) it's a blast. On an XC race by, prepare to have your hands take a beating

Local Trail Association

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 3 rides
  • 18 miles average
6 Months
  • 92 rides
  • 17 miles avg distance
All
  • 517 rides
  • Last: Sep 13, 2026
c1c2c3c4
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Status:
on Jul 26, 2026
Dry
Avg: 3.6 (20 votes)
Your vote: 0

view (8,392)
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      Directions to wapiti-13708 trailhead (40.160470, -105.296580)

      Photos

      11 more »
      mtb
      644 |
      Jun 4, 2013 @ 10:07pm
      Jun 4, 2013
      mtb
      51 |
      Apr 11, 2026 @ 12:49pm
      Apr 11, 2026
      mtb
      35 |
      Apr 11, 2026 @ 12:48pm
      Apr 11, 2026
      mtb
      127 |
      Apr 24, 2024 @ 9:28pm
      Apr 24, 2024

      Videos

      5 more »
      youtuber Fox DPX2 Review | Full Wapiti Descent at Heil...
      mtb
      10:17 | 653 | Aug 22, 2017 , Lyons
      Wapiti
      mtb
      10:54 | 31 | Mar 8, 2026 , Lyons
      Wapiti on my 2009 Project Rockhopper - Heil...
      mtb
      12:42 | 189 | Sep 12, 2024 , Lyons
      Splish splash Status taking a snow melt bath -...
      mtb
      8:47 | 112 | Apr 20, 2024 , Lyons

      Routes with this trail

      3.0 8 miles 1,028 ft 4 Out & Back
      A fun ride through the fastest and most technical parts of Heil Ranch. From the main parking lot climb the...
      5.0 12 miles 1,402 ft 6 Loop
      Before the 2020 Calwood Fire, this was a favorite after-work route for the big kids. The post fire...
      Lil' Burrito Featured
      5.0 41 miles 4,953 ft 26 Out & Back
      The Little Burrito (yes, the author knows that "Burrito" is Spanish for little donkey, so this is a...
      3.4
      20 Ratings
      5 5%
      4 55%
      3 25%
      2 5%
      1 10%

      4 Reviews & Comments

      provin1327 provin1327
      Some trail work has been done just past the intersection with the fire road. BMA and Boulder County have been installing side hits and rock jumps along the trail.
      provin1327 provin1327
      More of a blue black than a blue since it's such a rocky and technical trail.

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      • By toddTF Pro Trailforks & contributors
      • #13708 - 5,255 views

      Frequently Asked Questions

      Where is Wapiti located?
      Wapiti is located in Heil Valley Ranch, Lyons, Colorado, United States. It is part of the Heil Valley Ranch trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 40.16047, -105.29658.
      How hard is Wapiti?
      Wapiti is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 4.9%. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
      What is the elevation gain for Wapiti?
      Wapiti has 526 ft of elevation gain. The elevation ranges from 6,177 ft to 6,704 ft.
      Is Wapiti a point to point trail?
      Wapiti is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
      How long is Wapiti?
      Wapiti is 2.0 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.
      Are dogs allowed on Wapiti?
      There is no information about dogs being allowed on Wapiti. Check with local trail managers or the trail page for the latest access rules.
      How do I access Wapiti? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
      The closest parking and trailhead locations to Wapiti are: View all parking locations in the area.
      How long does it take to ride Wapiti?
      Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 35 minutes to ride Wapiti. The trail is 2.0 miles long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
      How busy is Wapiti?
      Wapiti is a very popular trail. There have been 5,963 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 8,392 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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