Wonderland Lake is a wildlife sanctuary encompassing open water, streams, wetlands, short-grass prairies, foothill-woodlands and shrub. These overlapping ecosystems provide essential habitat for waterfowl, prairie dogs, deer, fox, coyote, rattlesnakes and raptors. The south portion of the Foothills Trail joins the Wonderland Lake Trail to form a lollipop loop with wide groomed paths and mild grades ideal for runners, hikers and cyclists. Extend travel with connections for the Old Kiln Trail, Foothills Community Park Loop and Foothills Trail-north.

Runners enjoy Wonderland Lake's wide gravel paths and open space

Red fox and coyotes have adapted well to rapid development in the Wonderland area, and are still frequently seen

The slopes above Wonderland Lake see periodic fires, but short grass prairies and sparse tree coverage limit their intensity and recovery is typically quick

Hogbacks, or homoclinal ridges, run uniformly north-south between the plains and foothills along much of northern Colorado's front range

Hogbacks are typically comprised of two compressed sedimentary layers that eroded at different rates; as softer layers erode, its slopes steepen and the harder layer emerges along it edges

Meadowlark are known for there distinct song

The Old Kiln Trail splits off the main trail into the foothills with rangy views back east across the plains

Mule deer may jump as high as 2' and as far as 15' in a single bound

The Foothills Trail offers 4-season access to runners and cyclists

Over 170 birds, mammals and reptiles rely on Prairie Dogs in some way for food and shelter

The west side of Wonderland Lake

The trail heads south from Four Mile Creek on a wide graded path

In between snowfalls on the Foothills Trail

Wonderland Lake from the east dam

Wonderland Lake