The Ten Essentials
Overview
| Wilderness One Way Length Beginning Elevation Peak Elevation Gain/Loss Net Gain Ratings USFS Regulations Trails Illustrated Quadrangle |
Comanche Peak 6.3 miles (from lower trailhead to upper trailhead at Sky Ranch) 7,903 9,190 1,633/450/+1,183 Hikers – Moderate to Strenuous; Stock Riders – Easy National Forest > Wilderness #112 Poudre River, Cameron Pass Pingree Park, Rustic |
Location
Drive up Poudre Canyon 26.5 miles from Ted’s Place to the Pingree Park road (at mm 96.1), cross the Cache La Poudre River, and drive 8.0 miles. The trailhead is on the right just before you cross a bridge over the South Fork of the Poudre. Facilities are available at Jacks Gulch Campground. Water and trailer parking are available at trailhead.
| GPS Coordinates Trailhead #1 off Pingree Park Rd. Lower Wilderness boundary Jct. connector trail to Little Beaver Creek Trail Trailhead #2 at Sky Ranch |
N40°37.109’ W105°31.559’ Map N40°36.955’ W105°32.101’ N40°36.658’ W105°32.792’ N40°34.864’ W105°36.027’ Map |
Description
The first 3/4 mile of this trail is multi-use National Forest. From the trailhead you will climb some switchbacks up a steep forested ridge, then enter an open meadow area. You will have great views of the Mummy Range from this spot. The trail will continue it’s climb up a ridge for another mile or so, entering the Comanche Peak Wilderness along the way. You will reach a high point along this section of the trail. Where the power lines pass over the trail, just west of the high point along the ridge, and about 1.4 miles from the lower trailhead. After about 0.3 mile you will notice a signed trail junction to your right. This trail is a 0.5-mile connector trail between the Fish Creek Trail and the Little Beaver Creek Trail. From here the trail will turn to the south dropping down through another meadow and a small aspen grove, then up the side of a ridge before dropping down into another valley and heading west up the Fish Creek drainage. From here you will climb gradually along the banks of Fish Creek for approximately 3 miles. At this point (5.5 miles from trailhead #1) the trail turns to the south, crosses Fish Creek and climbs uphill through lodgepole pine, eventually reaching the upper Wilderness boundary along a ridge (about 0.75 mile from the uppper Fish Creek trailhead). The Wilderness boundary is signed—look for a birdcage on your left. From here the trail continues on through National Forest, dropping gradually downhill to the Sky Ranch trailhead. The upper Wilderness boundary would be a good turnaround point. Another alternative would be to drive two vehicles and leave one at the Fish Creek/Beaver Creek Trailhead just east of Sky Ranch. Refer to the Beaver Creek Trail description for driving information to this trailhead.
This trail has been adopted and is maintained by the Colorado Backcountry Horsemen
