Rocky Mountain National Park's Wind River Trail

Wind River Trail

Description:
The Wind River Trail begins at the East Portal Trailhead at an elevation of 8,275 feet. It travels south and southwest along the Wind River to its intersection with the Storm Pass Trail at 9,077 feet. This trail sees low use.

You can get around a locked gate if you are hiking and follow the road a short distance to the trailhead. If you are on horseback, there is a single wire fence northwest of the gauging station gate that can be temporarily removed to allow your horses through. Please reconnect it afterwards. Follow the trail that travels above the road and lead your horse down the steep slope to the trailhead. The trail climbs for a short while and then levels off in lodgepole pine and spruce forest. You'll soon come to a dam where the trail leaves the road and climbs the ridge above Wind River. There is a horse hitch rack in a grove of lodgepole pines to rest your horses if you came in from the Storm Pass Trail.

The trail climbs some log steps and drops down to the river. Wind River is not much of a river. You can step across it in most places. There are several backcountry campsites along this trail. After passing the Upper Wind River campsites, the forest opens up giving you views of the surrounding hills. The area contains a lot of large aspen groves that are quite beautiful in the fall. You'll reach the Storm Pass Trail after hiking for about 2.1 miles. Turn right to reach the Glacier Creek Trail and make a loop back to the trailhead via the Glacier Creek and Emerald Mountain Trails. This trail is easy to hike.

Features:

Length:	2.08 miles (3.34 kilometers)
Elevation Range:	8,325' - 9,077'
Elevation change:	754 feet
Season:	May 15 - Nov 1
Difficulty:	Easy
Use:	Low
USGS maps:	Longs Peak
Trailheads:	East Portal
Restrictions:	No pets are permitted
Suitable for mountain bikes:	No (not permitted)
Suitable for horses:	Yes

Vicinity Map

Altitude Profile

Directions:
The nearest trailhead to the Wind River Trail is the East Portal Trailhead. Take Highway 36 to Highway 66 and 698 toward the YMCA. Travel past the YMCA to the end of the road (about 2.2 miles). Park on the dam near the Adams Tunnel gaging station. There is room for 20 to 25 vehicles. A small holding pond lies below the gaging station. Go around the gate at the west end of the pond and hike along the road on the west side of the pond. The trail begins by the kiosk next to the road.

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