Juniper Valley Loop

A four-mile hike typically leaves me plenty satisfied -- with what I've seen, with the amount of exercise I've gotten, with my rugged outdoorsiness, you name it.  But after finishing the Sandstone Meadow Loop this past Monday morning I found myself still wanting more.  Fortunately, Sandstone Ranch Open Space was able to accommodate me.

The Juniper Valley Loop has the same trailhead; it just goes in the opposite direction.  Pretty convenient!

The trail had a scenic stop names the Red Rock Vista.  This wasn't it, but still provided a nice view of the Pike National Forest to the west.

I found a sign pointing the way to the Red Rock Vista, but the trail in that direction went only a short distance before ending at a bench and a wooden fence.  I looked for signs of foot traffic beyond that point but didn't find anything that looked convincing enough for me to want to potentially go off trail.  So I simply continued on my way down in the valley, and got a shot looking back at what might have been the vista?  I dunno. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The lower part of the trail made it quite evident how the trail got its name.  Had the day been sunnier and hotter I would have welcomed the shade the trees provided on this stretch.

A short offshoot called the Buzzard Loop leads past some white rock formations, but by this point I'd gotten my fill of hiking for the day.  Just under seven miles in all between the two trails, which I covered in roughly 3 1/2 hours -- pretty standard pace when I'm stopping to shoot pictures.

Will I return?  Quite probably, if only to solve The Mystery of the Red Rock Vista!

Related Link:

• Sandstone Meadow Loop