Pine Valley Ranch

This past week, we were searching for a hike that was relatively quick, but interesting and had activities for non-hikers. It was my wife's father's birthday, and he loves hiking; however, others in the family don't much care for it, so we wanted to find the perfect solution for everyone. Enter Pine Vally Ranch Open Space, in Pine, CO. This park provides a beautiful picnic spot right on a great section of the North Fork of the South Platte, and also houses a great little lake full of stockers for a fun afternoon of fishing. There are plenty of covered areas in the main picnic section, and a great light stroll along the river. It's an excellent place to take kids, dogs, etc. for a bit outdoor time. And, to boot, although the main park is quite busy on summer weekends, the trail that circles the park (and connects with the Lost Creek Wilderness area) always seems to be mostly empty.

View from the Top

The hiking trail itself begins at either the East or West ends of Pine lake, and provides a nice three mile loop. If you begin at West end, there's an initial stair climb that can prove to be a bit of a thigh burner, but the views from the upper portions, where railings have been affixed to the huge rocks, are pretty amazing. After you crest the hill, veer to the left, and continue on past the stationary maps; then, when you connect with "Strawberry Jack Trail," head right. You will then head down a solid grade and finally meet up with "Buck Gulch Trail," which leads back to the East end of the lake. We prefer, though, beginning at that East end, and doing the hike in reverse, as the climb is a bit more gradual, and access to the great views is better on the way down. Make sure to pack sunscreen, as a good portion of the hike is in burn areas, and coverage is limited. The hike takes about an hour and a half at a moderate speed.

On your way out of the park, stop in at Zoka's (you head in to Pine, and through town), where you can get a good sandwich or nice elk medallion, along with a dog friendly porch and kid friendly bento boxes. Or, if you're in the mood for something a bit more "old school Colorado," try the Bucksnort for a beer and their famous burgers.

To get there: Heading South on 285, past Conifer, take a left on Pine Valley Road / Co RD 126. At 5.9 miles, you'll take a right on Crystal Lake Road, and follow that all the way in to the park, which is clearly marked.