Scheduled Hikes for 2010
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Young Gulch Trail Hike
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Above: Poudre Canyon |
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| Date: | June 27th, 2010 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM | |||||||||||||
| Hike Group: | Rocky Mountain Trail Tramps | |||||||||||||
| Info. URLs: | Maps for this hike (Directions at bottom of this page.) Local Weather Report Flora & Fauna List of Young Gulch Area LocalHikes.com |
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Location:
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Cache LaPoudre River Area | |||||||||||||
| Description: | Young Gulch Trail Hike Day Hike - Out and Back, Distance (Total): 9.8 miles / 15.8 km, Hike Time: 5 hrs. roundtrip, Elevation Gain: 1,170 feet / 357 meters, Minimum Elevation: 5,840 feet / 1,780 meters, Maximum Elevation: 7,010 feet / 2,137 meters, Hiking Season: - All Year Long, Things To See: - Creeks - Forest - Wildlife - Meadows - Mountain Views, Degree of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate NOTE: We'll probably only hike about 4-5 miles roundtrip, then proceed to a 2nd location nearby for a short, 2 mile roundtrip hike into a 100 yr. old homestead location.
In the spring of 1919, the city of Fort Collins developed a property known as Young's Gulch, building a road and planting trees with the aid of the Forest Service. Little evidence of the original road remains, but the trail that resulted is currently known as Young Gulch. This is a popular and beautiful trail that follows the stream most of the way. An abundance of butterflies and wild flowers in the spring make it an attractive family hiking destination. You start out in some flat meadow areas, and eventually get under some tree cover about 1/2 mile in, climbing very gradually up Young Gulch and Prairie Gulch, crossing the stream 33 times in 4 miles. Stream crossings can be tough during spring runoff season. Other times of the year, it can be easily stepped across, and in summer can be dry. Otherwise, plan to get your feet wet, unless you have waterproof hiking boots and good, rock stepping/jumping skills. ;^) Hiking sticks/trekking poles can be useful. The climb is very gradual and scenic, with shrubs, Juniper, Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir dominating the hillsides. Alder, maple and cedar are the primary species along the stream. The upper part of the trail opens up into meadows and views of the surrounding mountains. The trail ascends for about another mile and ends at someone's private property, overlooking the Stove Prairie Road below. The top of Young Gulch is surrounded by private property, so please do not trespass.
The trail is heavily used by hikers with dogs and by mountain bikes. Watch out for others coming down the trail quickly. Dogs are allowed off leash with voice and sight control. Much of the beauty of this trail is found in the lower reaches, where large mountains surround you on both sides. So, one can turn around at any point to reduce the hike to a lesser distance. Warning: This area is known for it's mountain lions and bears (read the signs...). There's plenty of poison ivy along the way, too... Remember: "Leaves of three, let them be!" Also, if you hike to the very end of the trail, you will have to turn back once you get to the Private Property signs. Again, DO NOT TRESSPASS! The owner is known to prosecute to the full extent of the law. As usual, we suggest that each hiker bring their own appropriate hiking gear, food, and sports drinks. Be sure to do your "carb loading" before the hike by eating a good meal/healthy snack and drinking liquids, avoiding dehydration and fatigue. Carb loading the day before is useful, too. And if you leave the hike early, please notify the hike leader directly, so there's no question that you may have gotten lost or injured along the way. Remember... Safety first.
This hike is located in the Poudre River Valley, 23 miles to the NW of Ft. Collins. (Check the Maps page of this website for more directions and maps to print out.) Because parking is limited on weekends, carpooling is recommended. Carpools will depart our Ft. Collins meeting site by 9 am. We'll plan to meet out at the hike site by 9:30 am and start hiking at 9:45 am. Trailhead Location: As you drive Hwy 14 up the canyon, it will be about 2.75 miles past Poudre Park. The parking area will be on the left side of the road and is easy to miss, so keep an eye out for it. It is right across from the upper part of Ansel Watrous Campground. There is a sign that says 'Young Gulch Trailhead' Parking for the trailhead is at N40 41.322 W105 21.011
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