Date Hiked: June 30, 2024

Distance: 3.2 mi (RT)

Elevation Gain: 387 ft

Elevation Min/Max: 9,099 ft to 9,249 ft

Trailhead Lat/Long: 39.61068, -106.02212

Managing Agency: Town of Dillon

Fee: None

DIRECTIONS:

From Highway 6 in Dillon head north past the turnoff for the town center. As you drive parallel to the lake shore, keep an eye out to the right for the unsigned access road for the Preserve parking area and trailhead.

HIKE DESCRIPTION:

On a wooded peninsula jetting out into Lake Dillon sits the Dillon Nature Preserve managed by the Town of Dillon Parks and Recreation. The preserve is a great resource for an easy hike with great alpine views of the Gore Range, the Tenmile Range, and the Front Range mountains. The hike starts by following the Meadow Trail up steep switchbacks that take you up and over a forested ridge to a beautiful meadow. The views of the Gore Range stretching out to the north are magnificent. The trail then descends to the junction with the Ridge Trail.

The Ridge Trail climbs a short slope up to the 1st Overlook. The first overlook is wonderful, the overlooks all sit atop a cliff face leading straight down to the lakeshore. The views include the Tenmile Range Peaks 1,2 and 3 directly to the west, Buffalo Mountain to the north, and Baldy and Mt. Guyot to the south. The Ridge trail then heads north with plenty more incredible views before it descends into the forrest. The trail then rises to the 2nd overlook with westerly views. The trail then descends again and keeps descending to the 3rd and final overlook. This overlook looks west and north across Lake Dillon to the Tenmile Peaks.

From the 3rd overlook, you can either go back the way you came and use the cross-cut trail to return to the Meadow Trail and the trailhead or you can make it a loop hike by taking the paved bike trail back to the Trailhead.