Directions:

From Nederland, head north on Hwy 72. Two miles north of Nederland, turn left (west) on County Road 126 towards Mud Lake and Caribou Ranch. Drive 1/2 mile down the good dirt road and look for the gate on the left hand side of the road. There is some room for parking near the gate as long as you don’t block the gate. This is the start of the trail.

Hike Description:

Mud Lake Open Space is a wonderful open space park just north of Nederland. The trails here are perfect all year round, great for summer days around the lake, winter snowshoeing, spring hiking through shallow snow, and, of course, fall colors. The Sherwood Forest Trail, newly established on the parks’ western edge, is the perfect fall hike. The hike is relatively easy and about 80% of the trail crosses through aspen groves or pine forest with aspen’s peppered in. While most visitors to the area head up the road to Caribou Ranch Open Space, you can enjoy an amazing hike, with far fewer people to share it with.

The hike starts from a closed gate (hiking is allowed) along County Road 126, just past the turnoff for the Mud Lake Parking lot. Start off down the trail and immediately to your left is a stunning aspen grove nestled against the hillside, the road is also framed by aspens in more than one spot. Continue down the road for 0.3 of a mile and look for the Sherwood Forest Trail off to the right. The trail cuts up the hillside to a junction with the Sherwood Forest off to the let and the Chickadee Trail to the right. I receommend taking the loop counterclockwise and start with the Sherwood Forest Trail.

The Sherwood Forest Trail is one mile of fall color bliss. Aspen groves, boulders, and a trickling creek provide a lovely and peaceful hiking experience. A the end of the mile, you reach an access road…turn right and hike along the road for 0.3 miles. This road provides some nice views over the area that you just hiked through. Keep an eye out on the right for the Chickadee Trail. The Chickadee Trail has some decent views and one of the nicest aspen groves of the entire hike. The trail descends gently down to the junction with the Sherwood Forest Trail where you can retrace your steps back to the trailhead.

The perfect fall hike…stunning colors, few other hikers, easy to access…nuff said.