Little Beaver Creek Trail
Description:
The
Little Beaver Creek Trail connects the Fish Creek Trail on the east with the
Flowers Trail on the west. You can access this trail via the Fish Creek Trailhead
and Fish Creek Trail or via a cutoff trail connecting the old Flowers Road
with the Little Beaver Creek Trail. Horsemen can park at the Jacks Gulch trailhead
parking area an ride about .25 miles on the Flowers Road to the cutoff trail.
There are signs by the road for the cutoff trail. This trail follows an old
road through a meadow and an aspen stand to a small stream. After crossing
the stream turn left and follow the trail uphill to a wire gate. The trail
continues on the other side of the gate, traveling along the east side of
the ridge and down to Little Beaver Creek. It makes a shallow crossing and
then follows the creek up to the Little Beaver Creek Trail. The left fork
climbs the hill to the Fish Creek Trail. The right fork follows Little Beaver
Creek to Beaver Park and the Flowers Trail.
From
the Fish Creek Trailhead follow the Fish Creek Trail for 1.8 miles to the
Little Beaver Creek Trail. The trail makes a moderate descent through a ponderosa
pine / douglas fir forest to Little Beaver Creek where it intersects the cutoff
trail. It continues west along the south side of the creek for a short distance
before crossing over to the north side of the creek. It's a fairly level walk
along the south side. After crossing the creek it makes a short but steep
climb part way up the ridge and shortly comes back down to meet Little Beaver
Creek again. It continues along the creek, making a few short excursions to
the north, all the way to Beaver Park.
The
trail travels through a few open meadows along the way creating a nice diversion
from the dense. There are plenty of camping spots in the meadows or in some
aspen stands. Along one section of the trail there are numerous beautiful
rock formations. At one point the trail follows a narrow corridor between
the creek and high rock walls. As you approach Beaver Park the trail travels
through some park-like aspen/lodgepole pine stands offering a beautiful setting.
Beaver Park contains several beaver ponds containing brook trout. You'll pass
through a wire gate at Beaver Park. The trail intersects the Flowers Trail
after a steep climb in Beaver Park. This trail offers a pleasant hike or ride
and is especially beautiful in the fall.
Features:
| Length: |
4.9 miles (7.9 kilometers) |
| Elevation Range: |
8,118' - 9,011' |
| Elevation change: |
1,407 feet |
| Season: |
May - October |
| Difficulty: |
Easy |
| Use: |
Moderate |
| USGS maps: |
Rustic, Pingree Park |
| Trailheads: |
Fish Creek |
| Restrictions: |
Pets must be on a leash |
| Suitable for mountain bikes: |
No (not permitted in wilderness) |
| Suitable for horses: |
Yes |
Vicinity Map
Altitude
Profile
Other Nearby Resources:
Directions:
Take
Highway 287 north from Fort Collins to Laporte. Continue on Highway 287 to Highway
14. Travel west on 14 for 24 miles to the Pinegree Park Road. Turn left and
travel 6.4 miles to the Jacks Gulch Campground. Go through the campground on
the Flowers Road for about .25 miles to the cutoff trail that will take you
to the Little Beaver Creek Trail. To get to the Fish Creek Trail continue past
Jacks Gulch on the Pingree Park Road for about .8 miles to the Fish Creek Trailhead.
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