This past weekend as I continued on with the Hike for Discovery program, we did a group hike at Button Rock Preserve and Hall Ranch near the town of Lyons.  Starting out with a two mile hike towards the dam, we then proceeded to hike up a trail from the base of the dam to get to lake level and see Longs Peak in the distance.  Longs Peak is one of the options for us on the finale hike in Rocky Mountain National Park this September.  After spending some time at lake level we headed back down to the base of the dam and on the Sleepy Lion Trail.  As we climbed in elevation and higher than the dam we were rewarded with views of the reservoir as well as Longs Peak.

We then reached the cutoff to Hall Ranch where we hiked in the Boulder County Open Space for two miles.  As we headed through trees and finally out into an open meadow we did not realize the view until we turned around and were treated with an unexpected view of Longs Peak, Mt. Meeker as well as other mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park and the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

After a short break we hiked a little over four miles back to the cars and then on for a well deserved drink and meal on a warm June day.  For the day we hiked just over nine miles.

As a reminder, you may take part in my Hike for Discovery experience my donating to the cause on my event page.  The money directly helps the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and is tax-deductable.