Hike the Ceran St. Vrain Trail

Ward, Colorado

5.0/5

based on 2 reviews

Save

View all 7 photos

All 7 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

4 miles

Elevation Gain

1207 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Johnathan .

An easy trail through the forest and along a river bank with ample supply of shade for hot summer days.

The Ceran St. Vrain trail north of Jamestown offers the hiker a nice respite from the summer sun as this path runs through dense pine forests. The trail follows the South St. Vrain Creek for most of the way and follows moderate grades throughout. There is no official end to the trail, only that it joins with the 801-252 Jeep road. This is it's unofficial terminus, although some maps will show connecting spurs or trails from here if you wish to continue your journey.

Roundtrip, the trail is just shy of 4 miles and is perfect for a quick one night backpacking expedition or a half day hike. After parking at the trailhead and crossing the sturdy footbridge over the South St. Vrain Creek, there are multiple unofficial backcountry campsites.

The area is also good for seeking out wildflowers, which thrive along the creek. Keep your eyes peeled for columbines and Fairy Slipper Orchids.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Camping

Backpacking

Hiking

Dog Friendly

Forest

River

Wildflowers

Hike the Ceran St. Vrain Trail Reviews

Eden VanEssen

Hike the Ceran St. Vrain Trail

06/02/21

ATTENTION: Edit - As of May 11, 2021 dispersed camping is now illegal on this trail. The ordinance is good for a year, so here's hoping we'll be able to use the trail next year for camping. Punishable by $5,000 fine or 6 months in jail, or both. This is a nice beginner trail, very low exertion with slight elevation changes as you follow the river. The river is almost always in sight, gorgeous hiking. Very dog friendly hike, the trails are mostly packed dirt, so paw pads should stay untorn. The is a dispersed camping trail as well, lots of great spots by the river, the best spots are a little further in. No car camping is allowed here. There are no facilities (trash, water, toilets) so plan to hike in and out with everything. There are currently fire bans, so also pack for stove cooking and warmth. It does get chilly at night with the river so close. Great stargazing though, far enough from Boulder for the stars to really light up. Don't follow Google Maps! You will get lost! Take 36 through Boulder about 5 miles north of Boulder, take a left on Lefthand Canyon road. You will pass through Jamestown, and the road name will change to Overhead Rd (or something like that). Just stay straight on Lefthand Canyon about 15 miles and the trailhead is on the right.

5.0

Salem McLaughlin

Hike the Ceran St. Vrain Trail

03/06/16

Free and close to Boulder

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Snowshoe Long Lake

A long but extremely scenic hike tucked in Colorado's Indian Peaks wilderness. The entire Long Lake trail says 2.3 mile but due to winter conditions and snow pack you can really only make it the east edge of the lake. Exit Long lake loop back on to Brainard Lake Road (currently under construction) for 2 miles to return to parking lot. Due to winter road work and road closures this may add 2 mi...

Snowshoe Mount Audubon

Want to start snowshoeing peaks?! Of course you do! If you don't already have snowshoes, you can rent a pair at your local REI (the one in Boulder, CO is closest to this hike). Check the snow conditions and if there is a fair amount of snow, I would recommend renting the larger of the two kinds of snowshoes they offer.The next little bit of advice for heading out is, layers. One of the most imp...

Winter Camp at Lefthand Reservoir

The Brainard Lake Recreation Area is a winter adventurers playground with numerous snowshoe and cross country ski options to be explored. This area is popular as it offers dramatic mountain peaks, a trail for everyone (no motorized vehicles off of pavement), and close proximity to the Denver and Boulder metro area. From Denver, drive about an hour and a half to the Brainard Lake Recreation Area...

Explore Red Rock Lake, CO

If you are looking for great reflections, color and mountain peaks for your photos, this lake is a great place to start. The Brainard Lake Recreational Area has so much to do, but this is a stop not to miss.It seems that everyone drives on by this little gem to get to Brainard Lake and the hiking trails. This is definitely worth the stop and great for sunrise or sunset shots. Check out all the ...

Hike Meadow Mountain

From the trailhead, follow the trail through the woods until you reach a meadow with a steep slope. Some portions of this slope reach an angle of 30 degrees and may feature slight avalanche danger in the winter. However, the trail is used enough that such conditions would make themselves known and avoidable.From the top of the slope, continue along the trail until you break tree-line. At tre...

Catch the Sunrise on Sugarloaf

To get there from downtown Boulder, head west on CO 119 and almost 4.5 miles after you have left Boulder, turn right onto Sugarloaf Road. 4 miles after the turn from CO 119, turn right onto Sugarloaf Mountain road (located at the top of the road). If the road starts descending, you've gone too far. Take the dirt Sugarloaf Mountain Road 1 mile to the large parking area for the Switzerland Trail....

Hike the Ceran St. Vrain Trail

Details

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Hike the Ceran St. Vrain Trail Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Snowshoe Long Lake

Snowshoe Mount Audubon

Winter Camp at Lefthand Reservoir

Explore Red Rock Lake, CO

Hike Meadow Mountain

Catch the Sunrise on Sugarloaf

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps