St. Vrain State Park
Blue Heron Reservoir–Pelican Pond, 9 lakes
3.5 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 1 hr 10 min
Blue Heron Reservoir–Pelican Pond, 9 lakes is a 3.5-mile out-and-back in St. Vrain State Park near Rinn, CO. The route passes Pelican Pond, Killdeer Pond, Mallard Pond and 4 more before reaching Yellow Legs Pond at the turnaround, 1.6 miles in. It is mostly level, with 0 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Blue Heron Reservoir–Pelican Pond, 9 lakes
3.5 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 1 hr 10 min
Elevation 4,822–4,847 ft
Out & Back · St. Vrain State Park
Trailhead: Weld Legacy Trail · 40.17047, -104.97626
Weather Sep 5: sunrise 6:31 AM · sunset 7:29 PM
Dogs allowed on leash · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Weld Legacy Trail, heading E.
- 0.8 miPass Pelican Pond.
- 150 ftBear right onto Pelican Trail, heading W.
- 450 ftContinue straight onto Pelican Pond Trail, heading SW.
- 0.4 miPass Killdeer Pond.
- 50 ftPass Mallard Pond.
- 300 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
- 200 ftPass Avocet Pond.
- 50 ftPass Blue Heron Reservoir.
- 50 ftPass Pintail Pond.
- 50 ftPass Coot Pond.
- 150 ftBear right, heading S.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading S.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading S.
- 250 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 50 ftPass Yellow Legs Pond.
- 150 ftBear left onto Blue Heron Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 50 ftReach Blue Heron Reservoir, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading S.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 250 ftSharp left, heading S.
- 50 ftSharp left, heading S.
- 50 ftBear left, heading N.
- 350 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Pelican Pond Trail, heading N.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Pelican Trail, heading N.
- 400 ftBear left onto Weld Legacy Trail, heading N.
- 0.8 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.7 mi in (~43 min). Leave by 6:26 PM for the 7:29 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Weld Legacy Trail Trailhead
- Pelican Pond–Sandpiper Pond, 6 lakes 3.6 mi · ▲ 0 ft
- Blue Heron Reservoir–Pelican Pond, 12 lakes 5.3 mi · ▲ 0 ft
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