Boulder - Walker Ranch Loop & Meyer Homestead

I was in a quandary about where to go today.  I wanted something fairly long, not in the snow, close, but something I had not done before.  With this hike, I got 3 1/2 of 4.  I have been on the Walker Ranch Loop once before, in 2014, and on a portion again in 2016, but I had never been to the Meyer Homestead before.

Parking at the Walker Ranch TH, I was able to get on the trail early and headed immediately to the Meyer Homestead link trail.  The Meyer Homestead trail is an old ranch road that, in about 3.25 miles, takes you up the gulch toward the old Meyer Homestead; hence the name.  Andrew Meyers homesteaded the area in the 1890s, but later sold off to James Walker (of Walker Ranch fame).

The trail begins on a fairly level, rolling part of the gulch, but soon begin a long steady pull up to the area of the homestead.

Early trail conditions on Meyers Gulch trail

I paw an old hay barn so, of course, I had to go off trail and take a look

Walker Ranch hay barn (1)

Walker Ranch hay barn (2)

Walker Ranch hay barn (3)

The trail began to steadily climb and I soon encountered a very nice aspen grove.  It is nice to see the aspens starting to leaf out.

Aspens are finally getting their leaves

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Near the end of this section of trail, I encountered what I think is ruins of the original homestead.  I'm not sure though since rocks can be found in some of the most interesting places and distributed in odd ways.  I usually find other 'artifacts' at homestead, but there was no other detritus, so, I'll let you decide.

Ruins of homestead?

I finally made it to the end of the Meyer's Homestead Trail and looked through the trees and down into Boulder Canyon

End of Meyer's Homestead Trail

Overlooking Boulder Canyon

I retraced my steps back to the Walker Ranch TH and began the Walker Ranch Loop.  Just as I got there a bus load of 14-15 year old teenagers had just started up the trail.  Man, do they talk alot.  The trail starts out with a fairly good climb and I found that I quickly overtook the group, but when the trail started a steep descent, they pushed me hard.  But, I stayed ahead of them and soon lost them in the next climb.

There was not as many people on the trail as I expected, but I did encounter a couple of women several times.  Each time I saw them once of them was talking.  The final time I saw them, the one not talking looked like she had enough talk for one day.

The best part of the Walker Ranch Loop is the two encounters with the South Fork of the St. Vrain River.  It is quite a good flowing stream, has good fishing, and is quite beautiful.

Sign here say "swift current'.  Seems kind of obvious

This part of the river runs through a narrow canyon

One of the river's quieter spots 

The last part of the hike is a climb out of the river canyon and back to the trailhead.  The canyon had many interesting rock formations.

Canyon Rocks

Overall, it was a long and strenuous hike, but one that was very enjoyable.  Although, I was pretty tired by the time I got home.

Overall Track Statistics for Bldr - WalkerMyer 2017,   2082 data points

 Length 15.094 miles  :  Garmin Length 15.710 miles

 Start Elevation - 7216.60 feet

 Maximum Elevation - 8004.20 feet

 Minimum Elevation - 6435.43 feet

 Date of Hike - May 12, 2017

 Start Time - 07:37 AM

 End Time - 01:25 PM

 Total Duration -     5:47 hours:min

 Total Ascent - 3051.84 feet

 Total Descent - 3153.94 feet

 Net Ascent - -102.10 feet

 Maximum Grade - 18.45%

 Average Speed -  2.60 mph :  Garmin Average Speed  2.71 mph

 Maximum Ascent over Mile - 497.87 feet

 Maximum Speed over Mile -  3.45 mph

 Maximum Gain over Mile (%) -  9.30%