Leave No Trace
Overview
| Wilderness One Way Length Beginning Elevation Peak Elevation Gain/Loss/Net Gain Ratings USFS Regulations Trails Illustrated Quadrangle |
None 3.0 miles (trailhead to Wilderness Boundary) 9,967 10,547 954/374/+580 Hikers – Easy; Stock Riders – Moderate National Forest #112 Poudre River, Cameron Pass Chambers Lake |
Location
Poudre Canyon. Drive 53.7 miles from Ted’s Place (to mm 69.5), and turn left onto Long Draw Road (FDR-156) directly across from the Blue Lake parking lot. Follow the Long Draw Road for 2.9 miles. Turn right on a rough road crossing over Trap Creek. It will lead you to the parking lot and the trailhead. No facilities.
| GPS Coordinates Trailhead Neota Wilderness boundary |
N40°33.421’ W105°49.286’ Map N40°31.485’ W105°50.570’ |
Description
This trail meanders along Trap Creek for some 3 miles before reaching the Neota Wilderness boundary, and is the primary northern entrance to the Neota Wilderness. From the parking lot the trail follows the route of an old road to Trap Park. After a few hundred yards, the trail will make a switchback through a boulder field and continue its climb up the east side of Trap Creek. You will have a nice view of Trap Lake at the boulder field. Look for raspberries here in late August and September. After about 1 mile you will reach the north end of Trap Park. From here, you will have great views of Flat Top Mountain to the south and Iron Mountain to the south-southwest . If time permits, climb the ridge to the east and look for moose in the willow-laden park. Cross the stream at this point and continue hiking along the west side of Trap Park for about 2 more miles. The trail ends at the boundary of the Neota Wilderness. This is the end of the trail, unless you wish to hike cross-country into the Neota Wilderness. Most of this Wilderness is above timberline. You can climb Iron Mountain and/or Flat Top Mountain if you feel very ambitious. Settlers commonly built log bear traps in the park, thus the name Trap Park.
