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An awesome route for appreciating nature & birdwatching. Good sunrise/set views of the Front Range.


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Map Key

6.7

Miles

10.7

KM

Out and Back

5,105' 1,556 m

High

5,098' 1,554 m

Low

35' 11 m

Up

35' 11 m

Down

0%

Avg Grade (0°)

1%

Max Grade (1°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek

Family Friendly The visitor center near the parking lot has lots of displays and a learning center that gives presentations. They also loan out binoculars for bird watching and can point you to areas of interest.

See Signage and visitor's center

Overview

This route includes parts of various trails in the area and is comprised of dirt road, singletrack, and a few boardwalks.

This trail is great for watching Bald Eagles, Harrier Hawks, and other migratory birds. There is a lot to see when the birds are migrating. During the breeding season (late winter - early summer) as many as forty Bald Eagles can be nesting.

Need to Know

Stop at the visitors center for a chat with the park rangers to get advice on what is currently happening and a bit of history on the Refuge.

The trail is popular with cyclists who use thorn-proof tires because the trails are not paved and goatheads are everywhere.

Description

This route starts at the visitor center parking lot, and heads out over the lake on a boardwalk section of the Neidrach Nature Trail. Stroll west along the road where, after a bit, you'll find a short spur trail to the first birdwatching blind. (Careful, an owl has been hanging out in here over the winter!)

Once you've viewed enough, head back on the road until you reach the Fox Meadow Trail junction. Taking the Fox Meadow Trail keeps you closer to the lake and brings you to the 2nd birdwatching blind. Continue on the trail back to the main the road and Barr Lake Perimeter Trail going west until you come to the Boardwalk to Gazebo spur. This boardwalk takes you out over the lake again to look back to the shore. There are great views of the mountains and looking to the SW you can see the Bald Eagle Rookery area.

From here, make your way back onto the Barr Lake Perimeter Trail for another meadow. Look for deer in the trees as you go by. After a short time you'll come upon a bridge over the inlet, cross it and within a few feet there will be a fork in the trail. Go straight and you can finish the remaining 2/3rds of the Barr Lake Perimeter Trail or go to the right and you'll find the Inlet Gazebo Trail. This path will take you into the heart of the rookery to another gazebo so you can have a sit and watch the raptors come and go.

When you have rested up and finished bird watching, retrace your steps. On the way back, I have put in a couple of small shortcuts. The first stays on the road and skips Fox Meadow Trail, and the second takes you over a different set of boardwalks allowing you to finish the rest of the Neidrach Nature Trail. During the last quarter mile or so, look for local toads and turtles as you cross the boardwalks.

Flora & Fauna

Birds, deer, toads, fish, cottonwood trees, lots of cockleburs, and and other spiky/clingy seedpods.

Contacts

Shared By:

Rob M.

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#5416

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
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Recommended Route Rankings

#722

in Colorado

#5,416

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3 Views Last Month
703 Since Feb 27, 2016
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Photos

View from Boardwalk Gazebo to the east
Feb 27, 2016 near Lochbuie, CO
Barr Lake State Park at sunset. with permission from algill
Mar 1, 2016 near Brighton, CO
The Rookery Gazebo makes for a great place to rest and view the wildlife.
Feb 27, 2016 near Brighton, CO
Lots of Geese visible from the blind near the Barr Lake Perimeter Trail.
Feb 27, 2016 near Brighton, CO

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Check-Ins

Jan 25, 2020
Chad Haven
Nice trail and boardwalks with fun through tree trails, saw bald eagles! Pretty quiet
Jul 17, 2017
Jen Paulus
Hot and quite exposed. Bird lover paradise. Tons of pelicans, some heron, geese, and multiple birds I couldn't identify. 5mi
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