The Ten Essentials
Overview
This trail has been adopted and is maintained by the Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp
| Wilderness One Way Length Beginning Elevation Peak Elevation Gain/Loss/Net Gain Ratings USFS Regulations Trails Illustrated Quadrangle |
Comanche Peak 5.9 miles (from trailhead to jct. Bulwark Ridge Trail) 8,628 11,053 2,626/201/+2,425 Hikers – Strenuous; Stock Riders – Challenging National Forest > Wilderness #112 Poudre River, Cameron Pass Pingree Park |
Location
Poudre Canyon. Drive 26.5 miles from Ted’s Place to the Pingree Park Road (at mm 96.1), cross the Cache La Poudre River, and follow the Pingree Park Road for about 13.6 miles. The trailhead is located about 1.3 miles south of the junction of Buckhorn Road (CR-44H) with Pingree Park Road. Look for CR-44H on your left. No facilities. Riders: Very limited parking on the right (west) side of the road.
| GPS Coordinates Trailhead Two old cabins Wilderness boundary Rock pinnacle Lookout Mtn. Trail jct. North Signal Mtn. summit |
N40°33.990’ W105°33.319’ Map N40°33.943’ W105°33.993’ N40°32.828’ W105°33.058’ N40°32.233’ W105°30.631’ N40°32.092’ W105°30.415’ N40°31.526’ W105°30.567’ |
Description
The trail heads downhill, crossing a small stream, then winds around a steep bank and passes near two old cabins (on the west side of the trail) before reaching Pennock Creek. From here the trail follows Pennock Creek to the Comanche Peak Wilderness boundary (2.1 miles from the trailhead), then turns east, following the boundary along Pennock Creek and the east fork of Pennock Creek. The trail leaves the east fork of Pennock Creek and climbs rather steeply, passing close to a very impressive isolated granite pinnacle 100-150 ft tall and then intersecting with the Lookout Mountain Trail heading east. At this point the trail turns to the south and zigzags its way, climbing steeply to near the top of North Signal Mountain. From here South Signal Mountain can be seen about a mile to the southwest. Refer to the Bulwark Ridge Trail description. North Signal Mountain and South Signal Mountain were supposedly given their names because Native Americans sent smoke signals from their summits.
