Map of Hiking Trails and Points of Interest at Mountain Air Ranch

How to Read the Trail Markers

Three example trail markers are shown above. A map of all the major trails is shown inside the inner circle. Minor trails are not shown because of space requirements. Also, minor trails do not have trail markers. The red circle is the “you are here” marker. For orientation purposes, the “C” denotes the position of the clubhouse and the “O” shows where the office is (at the main entrance gate). The “N” and arrow show the direction of north. Also inside the inner circle are the trail marker designator (in the examples “5z”, “1c”, and “1a”), and the elevation as feet above sea level.

The simplest navigation technique using the trail markers is to simply watch the “you are here” markers as you hike along the trails. The information in the outer ring is used for hiking on the main trails and for guidance in finding particular points of interest.

The trail markers are mounted horizontally and oriented so that the trails leading from the intersection correspond to the arrows. Note that the arrows are positioned as if the trail markers were positioned in the middle of the intersection. There are three types of arrows. The arrows without a head (single line) designate a minor trail. The double-shafted arrows indicate a path that goes along the perimeter. Be careful hiking outside the perimeter, because the property boundary is usually not far from the perimeter.

If it is desired to travel to one of the 22 points of interest, you simply follow the arrows which have the corresponding designation letter next to them. For example, if it is desired to see the Mica Mine, follow the arrows with the “M”s next to them. A list of the points of interest is given on the following page.

There are 11 designated trail heads. Trail head 1 is approximately 100 feet to the southeast of the clubhouse. There are approximately 10 miles of hiking trails spread across the 150 acres of property at Mountain Air Ranch. Following the entire perimeter gives 1.7 miles of hiking.

There are three points of interest that are not specific points, but paths (all starting at Trail Head 1). The “J” denotes a 2 km jogging trail (includes jogging back to the clubhouse from the end of the trail near the north gulch). Following the “T” gives a tour of most of the major trails at Mountain Air Ranch and has a length of 2.6 miles. Following the “L” gives a shorter tour of 1 mile.

Mountain Air Ranch Hiking Trail Points of Interest

A=Arboretum: This trail winds tightly through various types of trees native to Colorado.

B=Bob’s Rock: This large rock is at one of the highest points on the property.

C=Clubhouse: The clubhouse is marked as a point of reference on every marker with a “C”.

D=Denver View: This is the best spot on the property to view the southern Denver metro area.

E=Equanimity Point: A staircase leads to a chair for relaxation. Also, has “sunburned bottom” tree.

F=Forested Ravine: This trail winds through a shaded ravine where water sometimes flows.

G=Glen’s Rock: A large rock with a wooden ladder and rope that leads to a chair for taking in the view.

H=Hilltop Garden: A cactus garden occupies the center of the intersection.

I=Isolated Meadow: This grassy meadow is one of the furthest points away from the clubhouse.

J=Jogging Trail: This 2 kilometer path has no stair steps and goes uphill on the first part.

L=Little Tour: A shortened version of the Tour MAR route that is one mile in length.

M=Mica Mine: An area where mica was mined which can be viewed from below or above.

N=North Gulch: A trickle of water is often found flowing through this area.

O=Office: The front office by the main gate which is shown as a point of reference on every marker.

P=Panorama Point: A picnic table marks the area where a good view of the valley can be taken in.

Q=Quartz Crossing: Many quartz rocks adorn this area including a large quartz pyramid.

R=Rocky Cliffs: Many large boulders are strewn across the steep terrain.

S=Stony Point: The best unobstructed view of the valley.

T=Tour MAR: Following the “T”s will take you around all of the major attractions at MAR (2.6 miles).

V=View Sunset: A bench is located on the west ridge facing the setting sun.

W=Wildflower Canyon: A large amount of purple/yellow flowers can be found here (when in season).

Z=Zigzag Staircase: A grand staircase circles around a garden made of tree stumps from past wild fires.