Park-to-Park Race Route Trail Run

Description of the Area

    The Park-to-Park Trail Run is a race held each summer by Runner's Roost, a local running store. This classic trail starts in Lory State Park, but most of the route is in Horsetooth Mountain Park. After an easy mile and half of flat to gradual downhill, the route ascends up several calf-testing hills, eventually leading to an awesome view of Horsetooth Rock. After a short descent, the route takes a brief jaunt through the bucolic Spring Creek valley, then makes another lung-busting ascent to nearly 7000 feet before making a steep and slightly technical descent into Mill Creek valley while offering glimpses of Arthurs Rock.  

     Lory State Park is a fee area (day passes are $5, annual passes are $50). Horsetooth Mountain Park is a separate park, with its own fee schedule ($6 for a day pass, $65 for an annual pass), but Horsetooth Mountain Park honors a Lory State Park pass if you entered from a Lory State Park trailhead (the reverse is not necessarily true). Dogs are allowed, but must be on leashes. 

Directions to the Trailhead

Route Description for the Park-to-Park Trail Run (race route)

Pictures Taken on this Route

Trail run on July 2, 2003     Jonathan, Phil, and Chris ran this route early one morning back in July 2003