wildernet

Educational Activities: Colorado > Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Quick Facts

Hornbeck Wildlife Loop Trail

Beginning Elevation:	8,400 Feet (2618.5 Meters)
Difficulty:	Moderate
Elevation Gain:	160 Feet (49.9 Meters)
Ending Elevation:	8,400 Feet (2618.5 Meters)
Length:	4 Miles (6.67 Kilometers)
Other Maps:	Trails Illustrated 137 Pikes Peak, Canon City
Usage:	Heavy in Summer
Vehicle Accessibility:	Passenger Vehicle

General Description

Following meadows, the trail to the historic Hornbeck Homestead crosses land once occupied by Lake Florissant. The return route overlooks the ancient lakebed and the mountain ranges beyond. Signs of elk, deer, coyote and other wildlife are common along this scenic loop. This trail is 4 miles long and rated moderate in terms of difficulty.

Directions from Florissant: Traveling west on Highway 24, you'll come to a junction with State Road 1 in Florissant. Turn left on to 1 and travel 2.5 miles to the road that leads to the Florissant National Monument Visitors Center.

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Add your own trip Report! Newly re-released feature. One of the most popular features on Wildernet, trip reports allow you to share your experiences with others. This is an invaluable resource for determining what to expect on your outdoor adventure, so please participate! To prevent spamming, you must be a registered user of Wildernet in order to submit a trip report

No trip reports filed to date. Please be the first one to do so!

Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Cross-country Skiing	Hornbeck Wildlife Loop	Yes
	Biology	Hornbeck Wildlife Loop	Yes
	History	Hornbeck Wildlife Loop	Yes
	Hiking & Walking	Hornbeck Wildlife Loop Trail	Yes
	Horseback Riding	Hornbeck Wildlife Loop	Yes

Related Activities

Caves Trail - The Caves Trail begins at the Visitor Center and extends to the western boundary of the Monument. The rock formation known as 'The Caves' is actually a grouping of large boulders that have fallen together.

Petrified Forest Loop Trail - The Petrified Forest Loop is 1 mile long with no elevation gain. An informative pamphlet guides you through and around an ancient lake bed complete with several petrified tree stumps.

Sawmill Trail - Sawmill Trail is 2.2 miles long with a moderate level of difficulty. The terrain it travels through provides a good example of Colorado's Montane Life zone.

Shootin' Star Trail - Shootin' Star Trail is 1.4 miles long one way and gains 80' in elevation. This trail is rated moderate by the National Park Service.

Walk Through Time Trail - A pamphlet guides visitors around this .5 mile loop, which introduces the geologic history of the area.