Rawhide Loop Trail - 4.7 Miles Round-Trip

The Rawhide Loop Trail circles White Ranch Park's highest meadows and rolling hills with varied terrain and exceptional views throughout. This transition zone between foothills and montane forest spans a diverse tapestry of meadows, ponderosa parks and mixed conifer home to deer, turkey, fox, bobcat, bear, deer, elk and mountain lion.

Mild trail conditions are well-suited for hiking, running, biking, horses, camping and winter recreation. The Rawhide Loop begins from the West Access Trailhead - the following description travels counter-clockwise:

The trail heads northeast on the edge of a vast meadow with rangy views across rolling hills and surrounding mountains. It passes the Longhorn Trail split (.27 miles : 7,425'), curls north and begins a rugged, moderately steep descent into a gulch at the first of two Wrangler Run Trail connections (.65 miles : 7,125').

The trail rises back and levels briefly with views across the Eastern Plains and Denver skyline (1.05 miles : 7,315'). It gradually bends northwest and resumes a quick pace through intervals of steep undulations and relaxing flats.

Travel eases along a high ridge and service road in the Rawhide Trail's northeast corner (1.95 miles : 7,450'). Here you'll enjoy views across the Loop's inner meadows and southwest mountains that frame it. Continue past the Water Hole Trail spur (2.05 miles : 7,465') - which leads to the Sourdough Springs Equestrian Camp - and veer off the service (left) to remain on the Rawhide Trail.

Mild undulations lead out from the timber and level across open slopes carpeted with lupine, arnica, paintbrush, aster, thistle, blanket flowers and mariposa lily (2.5 miles : 7,530'). The trail moves quickly through fire-scarred pine stands (2.75 miles) to the second Waterhole Trail spur and Campsites 1-4 (3.0 miles : 7,410').

Bear right to continue on the Rawhide Trail, now a wide graded service road you'll follow through open meadows back to the trailhead.

The trial rolls gently along the Loop's open west side past the 2nd Wrangler Run Trail connection (3.6 miles : 7,290') and Belcher Hill Trail split (4.4 miles : 7,465') to complete the Loop (4.7 miles). This final segment offers broad views across the Rawhide's inner meadows and Ralston Buttes, a geological uplift north of White Ranch Park that serves as an important wildlife corridor from the mountains to the plains.