The Ten Essentials
Overview
| Wilderness One Way Length Beginning Elevation Peak Elevation Profile Elevation Ratings USFS Regulations Trails Illustrated Quadrangle |
None 3.7 miles (trailhead to Crosier Mountain summit) 7,376 9,233 2,044/187/+1,857 Hikers – Moderate to Strenuous; Stock Riders – Easy National Forest #101 Cache La Poudre, Big Thompson Glen Haven |
Location
There are three trails heading up Crosier Mountain, each with a separate description in this Guide. Note that with two vehicles, you can easily combine any two of these patrols. For the Glen Haven trailhead: From Drake, follow the Devils Gulch Road (CR-43) to Glen Haven. Drive through Glen Haven to the Livery Stable on the south side of the road. Walk along the dirt road that cuts in back of the stable. You will see a trail sign on the right side of the road. No facilities available.
| GPS Coordinates Trailhead Jct. Rainbow Trail Jct. Crosier Mtn. (Garden Gate) Trail Crosier Mtn. summit |
N40°27.149’ W105°26.940’ Map N40°26.455’ W105°25.995’ N40°25.920’ W105°25.056’ N40°25.939’ W105°25.526’ |
Description
The trail parallels the road briefly before turning and climbing to the south, through several switchbacks. Ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and Rocky Mountain juniper trees dominate. After 0.8 mile, the trail tops out on a ridge. You will notice a sign pointing to the H-G Ranch. Continue to the south, dropping back into a valley, (there is no water from this point on) and then once again climb through several long switchbacks to a large meadow opening to your right, called Piper Meadow.
Notice the old foundations. Harry Piper operated a dairy here from around 1913 into the 1930s. The hole in the ground with the rock foundation at the lower end of the meadow was the milk house, and the larger hole closer to the trail was the barn. Harry’s home burned to the ground in the early 1930s. He didn’t rebuild, but instead lived in the top story of the barn until his death a few years later. From the Piper Homestead, the trail follows the meadow to the far southerly end, then turns sharply left and climbs through a series of switchbacks to a ridge and the Crosier Rainbow Trail junction. (This is a great place for lunch.)
As you continue to the Crosier Mountain summit, note the remains of the Matt Malmberg cabin downhill to your left. After climbing another 1.5 miles, and topping a couple of false summits, you will summit on a ridge above True Gulch. From here you can climb the remaining 0.5-mile to the summit of Crosier Mountain. The trail is well signed. (Refer to the Crosier Mountain (Garden Gate) Trail.)
