The Barnes Lake Trails are horse-and-hiker trails in the hills of Barnhartvale (link to more information).   We hike the trails in spring and fall each year, enjoying a longer (9.7 km) loop route through grasslands and forests.   From grasslands, we hiked through a zone of open forest with a number of ponderosa pine snags.

On the outside loop route, we go out to a quiet meadow pond.    There were a few ducks dabbling on the water.

The middle section of the route is all through the forest, mostly on single track trails.

Part of every hike on the Barnes Lake Trails is a route past Killdeer Pond.    there were barrow’s golden eye ducks and killdeer at the larger pond. 

There were no horse riders on the trails for this day.    The trails are gated and signed.    Motorized vehicles and mountain bikes are not allowed on the trails.    It is a privilege to use the trails and users are encouraged to respect the land owners and equestrian riders by following the rules and going quietly, leaving no trace.  

 

We will be back to hike the trails in November.