Tungsten & Kinnickinnick Double Loop Trail, Mud Lake Open Space, Boulder - Denver - Golden - Fort Collins - Lyons, Colorado
Tungsten & Kinnickinnick Double Loop Trail - 2.2 miles
Mud Lake Open Space
| Round-Trip Length: | 2.2 miles |
| Start-End Elevation: | 8,400' - 8,594' - 8,400' |
| Elevation Change: | +194' net elevation gain 194' (+327' total roundtrip elevation gain) |
| Skill Level: | Easy |
| Dogs Allowed: | Yes |
| Bikes Allowed: | Yes |
| Horses Allowed: | Yes |
| Related Trails: |
Tungsten & Kinnickinnick Double Loop Trail - 2.2 Miles Round-Trip
In July of 2006, Mud Lake - originally known as Muskee Lake - was made an official Open Space Park by Boulder County officials. Located just 2 miles north of Nederland, Colorado, scenic Mud Lake is surrounded by 233 acres of pristine wilderness that provide year-round recreation for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.
The double loop trail described here is made possible by simply combining the Tungsten Loop Trail with the Kinneckinneck Loop Trail.
From the NW corner of the Mud Lake Parking lot (next to the restrooms), the trail sets out flat through dense coniferous forest typical of the Nederland area. After .1 miles you'll encounter the first trail split. Turn left towards the Tungsten Loop.
50' away, the Tungsten Loop Trail begins and Mud Lake is soon visible. The trail skirts the east shore of Mud Lake and, despite easy access to the lake itself, fishing, swimming or boating are NOT allowed. These regulations are strictly enforced.
At .6 miles the trail reaches the Tungsten Loop - Kinneckinneck Loop split (8,484').
Bear left towards the Kinneckinneck Loop Trail - in about 100', the Kinneckinneck Loop Trail begins. The loop rises gently amid healthy stands of Aspen and Ponderosa Pine.
At 1.3 miles, the Kinneckinneck Loop crests at 8,594' and yields the best (and only) views of the entire trail. Large peaks and glaciers are visible to the north and west as you begin downward to complete the Kinneckinneck Loop.
At 1.7 miles you will complete the Kinneckinneck loop and take the clearly marked 100' connector trail back to the Tungsten Loop.
Head left to complete the last section of the Tungsten Loop. This final stretch is very similar to the first, cutting though dense pine and spruce forest until reaching the well-marked sign for the last .1 miles to the parking lot.
Worth Noting
- The Wild Bear Center for Nature Discovery is located at the Mud Lake Open Space park. Wild Bear is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to outdoor education. They own a 5-acre plot of land at Mud Lake on which they plan to construct an environmental education center.
- Mud Lake's mild grades and wide trails are well suited for winter sports.
Rules and Regulations
Directions to Trailhead
The Tungsten - Kinneckinneck Double Loop Trail begins at the NW corner of the Mud Lake Open Space Parking Lot north of Nederland, Colorado.
Directions:
From Boulder, take Canyon Drive west (turns into CO 119) up Boulder Canyon to the town of Nederland. As you approach town, look for the sign for CO Highway 72. Bear right in the turnabout just after the gas staton to get onto CO 72. Take CO 72 for 1.9 miles to CO 126. Turn left onto CO 126 and after .3 miles, turn left at the sign for Mud Lake Open Space which will be .1 miles up the hill. Parking and restroom facilities are provided.
Contact Information
Boulder County
Parks & Open Space
5201 St. Vrain Road
Longmont, CO 80503
tel (303) 678-6200
fax (303) 678-6180
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