Trail Name: Burn Canyon Trails
Best Use: Mountain Biking, Hiking
Best Time for Use: All seasons for hiking. Biking – (Closed to bikes 12/1 – 4/30)
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
Length: 8.6 miles
Buttermilk Loop: 1.3 miles
Pinyon Point Loop:2.6 miles
Old Nelson Cut-off: 0.6 miles
Cedar Post Loop: 2.0 miles
Hidout Canyon Loop: 1.4 miles
Posey’s Spur: 0.7 miles
Start Elevation: Burn Canyon Trail Head 6903 ft Maximum Elev Gain and Loss from Start Elev: 1122ft gain/ 1040ft loss, Buttermilk Loop: 179ft gain/ 174ft loss, Pinyon Point Loop: 288ft gain/ 241ft loss, Old Nelson Cut-off: 206ft gain/ 166ft loss, Cedar Post Loop: 229ft gain/ 226ft loss, Hideout Canyon Loop: 81ft gain/ 170ft loss, Posey’s Spur: 139ft gain/ 63ft loss
Trail Surface and Use: Single Track dirt and rocks.
Trail Head Access: Suitable for 2WD auto.
Trail Head Coordinates: 38°8’17.83″N, 108°20’20.02″W
Trail Head Directions: The trail system is located about a couple of miles northwest of Norwood, Colorado via paved and dirt roads. Passenger cars can access any of the trails under most road conditions. From Norwood’s main street (Grand Avenue): Travel to the far west end of Grand Avenue; follow the highway as it curves to the right; pass the fairgrounds on your right. Turn left at the first opportunity AA42 Road (also known as W35 and Norwood Burn Road); follow this road for about 2.9 miles. It passes the Pioneer Village subdivision and Elder’s junkyard. This Road changes to Norwood Burn Road. Pass a sign for McKee Draw hiking trails. Continue on this road as it takes switchbacks into a canyon. At the bottom the road crosses a small bridge over Naturita Creek. Continue on the same road up a hillside and around some switchbacks where after climbing the hill you will find a parking area on your right. The trail head for the Burn Canyon Trail Loops start here.
Best Feature: Fun, fast, flowing, friendly single track for biking accessed from the parking area. Rocky areas above the canyons are a highlight. Extended riding season open into late fall and one of the first areas in the spring to melt off and dry out.
Cautions: Look out for horses, and occasional cows out to pasture. Wear orange during hunting seasons.