Observatory

4.1/5 (15 reviews)
Situated on the west side of Colorado Highway 119 between the quaint little towns of Nederland and Rollinsville is a small network of hiking, mountain biking and 4x4 trails known as West Magnolia. Like much of the Colorado Front Range, the area is rich in mining history and abundant in scenic beauty... Read More
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Highlights of Observatory

Camping Category Icon Camping
Forest Category Icon Forest
Scenic Category Icon Scenic
Highest Elevation
8719 ft
Shape of Trail
Connector
Typically Open
05/15 - 11/30
Best Direction
South
Official Trail Name
355.1
Nearest Town
Nederland
Nearest Services
Nederland
Management Agency
Arapaho National Forest
District
Boulder Ranger District

Overview

Situated on the west side of Colorado Highway 119 between the quaint little towns of Nederland and Rollinsville is a small network of hiking, mountain biking and 4x4 trails known as West Magnolia. Like much of the Colorado Front Range, the area is rich in mining history and abundant in scenic beauty. These easy-to-moderate four-wheel​ drive roads can provide a quick outing or be strung together to make a whole day or more of fun in the woods. Camping is available in designated sites. Its proximity to the Denver area and ease of access make it popular for day trips or short weekend jaunts. Observatory is the main spine through the northern portion of this network. It is often combined with West Magnolia Road and Rollinsville to make a nice route to the town of Rollinsville.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Guide Overview
7 Waypoints
23 Trail Photos
1 Trail Concerns
15 Community Reviews
1 Video
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