Young Gulch Trail
Description:
The
Young Gulch Trail begins from a large parking area just off Highway 14 across
from Ansel Watrous Campground. This trail travels up Young and Prairie gulches
for about five miles where it ends at private property just short of the Stove
Praire Road. The trail is wide and well marked. It follows two streams up
the bottom of the gulches, crossing them more than 30 times. It is almost
impossible to avoid getting your feet wet if you are hiking. The trail climbs
about 1,200 feet in five miles. It is a very gradual climb and almost seems
level. It winds up the gulch through beautiful stands of cottonwods and ponderosa
pine tress, interspersed with lush grassy meadows. Wild flowers are abundant
in the spring. Except for the stream crossings, this trail is of low difficulty.
Fires and camping are prohibited within a quarter mile of the trail. For all
practical purposes these activities are eliminated because of the width and
the steepness of the sides of the gulch. You would have to climb out of the
gulch to get the required distance away. However, there are many beautiful
spots to picnic.
Features:
| Length: |
5 miles (8.05 kilometers) |
| Elevation Range: |
5,800' - 7,000' |
| Elevation change: |
1,200 feet |
| Season: |
All year round |
| Difficulty: |
Easy to Moderate |
| Use: |
Medium |
| USGS maps: |
Poudre Park |
| Trailheads: |
Young Gulch |
| Restrictions: |
No camping or fires within 1/4 mile
of trail |
| Suitable for mountain bikes: |
Yes |
| Suitable for horses: |
Yes |
Vicinity Map
Altitude Profile
Other Nearby Resources:
Directions:
Take
Highway 287 north from Fort Collins to La Porte. Continue on 287 to Highway
14. Travel west on 14 for 12 miles to the trailhead. The trailhead is on the
left side of the highway across from Ansel Watrous Campground.
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