Leave No Trace
Overview
| Wilderness One Way Length Beginning Elevation Peak Elevation Gain/Loss/Net Gain Ratings USFS Regulations Trails Illustrated Quadrangle |
None |
Location
There are three trails heading up Crosier Mountain, each with a separate patrol description in this Guide. Note that with two vehicles, you can easily combine any two of these patrols. For the Garden Gate trailhead: From Drake follow the Devils Gulch Road (CR-43) for 2.2 miles (at mm 13.1) and look for a small wooden gate on the south side of the road. There is a small parking area at the gate. No facilities. Riders: No trailer parking.
| GPS Coordinates Trailhead Jct. Crosier Mtn. (Glen Haven) Trail Crosier Mtn.summit |
N40°26.54’ W105°27.71’ Map N40°25.920’ W105°25.056’ N40°25.939’ W105°25.526’ |
Description
Of the three trails to the summit of Crosier Mountain, the Garden Gate trail is the longest. After entering the gate, you climb a small ridge, and then wind through a meadow filled with rabbitbrush. The trail enters heavier forest, dominated by ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir. Although the terrain looks imposing, the trail climbs gradually and has several switchbacks. It also passes an old mine entrance. You will top two ridges. If you look to the north from the second, you will see the summits of North and South Signal mountains. From here, the trail passes through a small aspen grove and under a large granite outcropping. The trail crests one more ridge, then levels out and passes through a burn area, then a large meadow. From here, you head up a small canyon to the left of a large rock ridge, then climb sharply to the southwest and break out between a couple large boulders, topping another ridge at 8,000 feet. From the crest of this ridge, you can see the summit of Crosier Mountain to the west. From here, you will drop sharply into True Gulch and start another climb. After about 1.5 miles, you will intersect the Crosier Mountain Summit Trail (#931-1). A sign points the way for the 0.5-mile hike to the summit. From this junction the main trail becomes the Crosier Mountain (Glen Haven) Trail, as it continues on, and descends to Glen Haven (refer to the Crosier Mountain (Glen Haven) Trail ). The high point on Crosier Mountain is a small meadow and rock outcropping, framing views of Estes Park, the peaks in RMNP and the surrounding country. Wildflowers are abundant. Be sure to carry plenty of water on this hike.
