Lodgepole Loop
As you might guess, the forest that shades and protects this easy trail is primarily made up of lodgepole pines. The trees dominate the route, as little else grows beneath them. The thick canopy restricts light on the forest floor, which no doubt contributes to the relative dearth of understory. The pine needles comprise a soft, sound-muffling carpet, and the trees grow remarkably straight and close together, never achieving the size or grandeur of either the ponderosa or the blue spruce. Still, the lodgepole forest is a magical place, calming in its sameness and its quiet. The trail also meanders through open ponderosa parklands and meadows thick with wildflowers, including the elusive columbine, which blooms in the damp gullies in late June and July.
Driving Directions
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Directions to: Lodgepole Loop
print directionsTrail Statistics & Information
| Activity | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Nearby City | Aspen Park |
| Length | 2 mi |
| Elevation Gain | 120 ft |
| Skill Level | Easy |
| Duration | 50 minutes |
| Trailhead Elevation | 7,900 ft |
| Top Elevation | 8,050 ft |
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