AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes
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SteveB in Denver · CC BY 2.0
Devils Backbone Open Space

Devils Backbone–Keyhole, 7 lakes

13.4 mi · ▲ 407 ft · 4 hr 40 min

Devils Backbone–Keyhole, 7 lakes is a 13.4-mile out-and-back in Devils Backbone Open Space near Loveland, CO. The route passes Bass Pond, Dragonfly Pond, Schuster Lake and 2 more before reaching Devils Backbone at the turnaround, 6.7 miles in. It climbs 407 ft. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi4,941 – 5,358 ft14.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 40.38846, -105.07875
Nearest town Loveland, CO
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Devils Backbone–Keyhole, 7 lakes

13.4 mi · ▲ 407 ft · 4 hr 40 min

Elevation 4,941–5,357 ft

Out & Back · Devils Backbone Open Space

Trailhead: 40.38846, -105.07875

Weather Sep 4: Clear, high 94°F / low 59° · precip 5% · wind 2 mph · sunrise 6:31 AM · sunset 7:29 PM

Dogs allowed on leash · Transit-accessible: NB Lincoln & 2nd stop 766 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading N.
  2. 100 ftBear left onto Big Thompson River Trail, heading NW.
  3. 0.3 miPass Bass Pond.
  4. 50 ftBear left, heading W.
  5. 0.2 miPass Dragonfly Pond.
  6. 350 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  7. 1.3 miPass Schuster Lake.
  8. 500 ftBear right, heading NW.
  9. 1.3 miTurn right onto Westside Trail, heading W.
  10. 0.4 miTurn left, heading N.
  11. 0.1 miBear right, heading N.
  12. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  13. 0.5 miTurn right, heading NW.
  14. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  15. 1.7 miTurn left, heading N.
  16. 100 ftTurn left onto Hidden Valley Trail, heading NW.
  17. 50 ftContinue straight onto Wild Loop Trail, heading NW.
  18. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Wild Loop, heading SW.
  19. 0.2 miPass Overlook.
  20. 0.2 miPass Keyhole.
  21. 0.1 miReach Devils Backbone, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  22. 50 ftTurn right onto Wild Loop Trail, heading N.
  23. 0.8 miContinue straight onto Hidden Valley Trail, heading SE.
  24. 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  25. 100 ftTurn right, heading S.
  26. 1.7 miTurn left, heading SE.
  27. 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  28. 0.5 miTurn right, heading NE.
  29. 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
  30. 0.1 miTurn right onto Westside Trail, heading SE.
  31. 0.4 miTurn left onto Big Thompson River Trail, heading N.
  32. 1.1 miTurn right, heading E.
  33. 1.7 miTurn right, heading E.
  34. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  35. 0.5 miBear right, heading E.
  36. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/devils-backbone-keyhole-out-back-9-lakes

Trail surface

35% dirt25% paved6% gravel34% unspecified

Weather

ClearTemperature 94°F59°
Precip5%Wind2 mphUV7Humidity24%
Rained 0.1″ 4 days ago
Hourly temperature
95°55°
Sunrise 6:31 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PMSunset 7:29 PM
Sat 95°64°
Sun 92°64° 33%
Mon 94°68° 33%
Tue 90°63° 16%
Wed 90°60° 24%
Thu 97°62° 24%

Good to know

  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Transit-accessible: NB Lincoln & 2nd stop 766 m from the trailhead
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Loveland, Colorado