AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

The Atoll–Bitterbrush Viewpoint, 5 sights

11.3 mi · ▲ 2,735 ft · 5 hr 8 min

The Atoll–Bitterbrush Viewpoint, 5 sights is an 11.3-mile out-and-back near Lyons, CO. The route passes Bitterbrush Viewpoint before reaching The Atoll at the turnaround, 5.6 miles in. It climbs 2,735 ft, with sections as steep as 34% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 24/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi5,456 – 6,815 ft · steepest grade: 34%11.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Bitterbrush Trail 40.21059, -105.28826
Nearest town Lyons, CO · Official trailhead info (bouldercounty.gov)
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

The Atoll–Bitterbrush Viewpoint, 5 sights

11.3 mi · ▲ 2,735 ft · 5 hr 8 min

Elevation 5,455–6,813 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Bitterbrush Trail · 40.21059, -105.28826

Weather Sep 4: sunrise 6:32 AM · sunset 7:30 PM

No dogs on part of this route · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Bitterbrush Trail, heading NW.
  2. 400 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  3. 250 ftTurn left onto Night Hawk Trail, heading NW.
  4. 0.3 miSharp right, heading SW.
  5. 0.2 miBear left, heading W.
  6. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  7. 200 ftContinue straight onto Bitterbrush Trail, heading SW.
  8. 0.7 miPass Bitterbrush Viewpoint.
  9. 1.5 miBear right onto Nelson Loop, heading SW.
  10. 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  11. 1.7 miSharp left, heading SE.
  12. 1.2 miReach The Atoll, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  13. 1.1 miSharp right, heading NW.
  14. 1.7 miBear left, heading NE.
  15. 2.1 miContinue straight onto Bitterbrush Trail, heading SE.
  16. 0.1 miTurn left, heading SE.
  17. 50 ftBear right, heading SE.
  18. 0.2 miSharp left onto Night Hawk Trail, heading SE.
  19. 0.3 miTurn right onto Bitterbrush Trail, heading E.
  20. 250 ftBear right, heading SE.
  21. 250 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/the-atoll-bitterbrush-viewpoint-out-back-5-sights-18-km

Trail surface

95% dirt5% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:32 AMSunset 7:30 PM

Good to know

  • No dogs on part of this route
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Bitterbrush Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Lyons, Colorado