Leave No Trace
Overview
| Wilderness One Way Length Beginning Elevation Peak Elevation Gain/Loss/Net Gain Ratings USFS Regulations Trails Illustrated Quadrangle |
None 3.8 miles (trailhead to Crosier Mountain summit) 7,033 9,233 2,200/31/+ 2,169 Hikers – Moderate to Strenuous; Stock Riders – Moderate 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 Rainbow trailhead: From Drake follow the Devils Gulch Road (CR-43) for 6 miles and look for a large cut on the south side of the road. The trailhead is just before the junction with the Dunraven Glade Road (CR-51B), which takes you to the North Fork and Bulwark Ridge trailheads. No facilities available.
| GPS Coordinates Trailhead Jct. Crosier Mtn. (Glen Haven) Trail Jct. Crosier Mtn. Summit Trail Crosier Mtn. summit |
N40°27.426’ W105°25.513’ Map N40°26.455’ W105°25.995’ N40°25.92’ W105°25.06’ N40°25.939’ W105°25.526’ |
Description
The Crosier Rainbow Trail is steep and has several switchbacks as it climbs 1.8 miles and joins the Crosier Mountain (Glen Haven) Trail coming in from the west. You will pass through an interesting, mature aspen grove on the way up, and have fine views of the surrounding countryside. At the junction, look for an old cabin downhill and to the left of the trail, with an aspen tree growing through the middle. This was the cabin of Matt Malmberg, who is thought to have been a trapper and stonemason around the 1890s. From the junction, stay to your left and follow the trail up through lodgepole pine forest for about 1.5 miles. Here you will intersect the Crosier Mountain Summit Trail, which is well marked. It will take you up a steep 0.5-mile climb to the summit of Crosier Mountain. The panoramic views from the summit will make the climb well worth the effort. Note: carry plenty of water, no water available on this trail.
