Colorado State Forest – Maddy's Big Little Life

Monday July 18, 2011

We headed out to the upper Podure Canyon to find the Blue Lake Trail. Beginning elevation was 9400 feet and we turned at about 10,500 feet. Our total hike was our longest, 8 miles out and back.

The trail description from the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers:
The first 2 miles of the trail follows an old logging road and is in multi-use National Forest. Within the first 0.25 mile you will cross over Joe Wright Creek. About 1.5 miles from the trailhead there is a small rise to the east with a nice overlook that offers glimpses of Chambers Lake. You will enter the Rawah Wilderness shortly after crossing a footbridge over Fall Creek. After another 2 miles, you reach a meadow and a log bridge crossing the north branch of Fall Creek.

Trail elevation from http://www.poudrewildernessvolunteers.org/

Trailhead

Off we go!

We were hiking in the Rawah Wilderness

A 2 miles we crossed the foot bridge at Fall Creek

Fall Creek

Dad took a sit at Fall Creek

Mom is eating a power bar honest!

And off we went.

There was snow along the way.

About 4 miles in we crossed a beautiful meadow where we stopped and took a breath

The meadow was a good spot to get a picture of Mom and Dad

At 5 miles we reached a little log bridge and so much snow on the other side we could not find the trail. We were pretty tired anyway and had 5 miles to go back.

Did I tell you I like the water?

I know I was tired. I took a rest while Mom and Dad had a bite of lunch.

Avalanche Lilly

A short rest on the return at Fall Creek

Fall Creek

All done, 10 miles!!!

After the hike we drove to Cameron Pass (10,249 ft) a bit further west on Highway 14. Some beautiful scenery but no moose to be seen.

Mt Richthofen 12,940 ft

Wednesday July 13, 2011

This hike was really something. Dad says it was his favorite. The trail winds its way up the east side of the Cache La Poudre River. What made this really exciting was the river. I understand that this year in Colorado there was a lot more snow than normal and then the heat began suddenly increasing the run off in the rivers like the Poudre to record levels. As we walked along the river I could not hear Dad or Mom unless they yelled over the roar of the river. They seemed worried that I might go in too far and get swept to Ft. Collins but I am a dog I am not stupid, I was very careful.

Big South Trail Elevation

The trail is maintained by the Poudre Valley Health Care System

Trail Description from http://www.poudrewildernessvolunteers.org
This trail starts in multi-use National Forest, but after only 0.5 mile, you enter the Comanche Peak Wilderness and the Big South Travel Zone.

We entered the Wilderness

The trail winds its way up the east side of the Cache La Poudre River for about 6.5 miles, where it is intersected by the Flowers Trail coming down from the east. See the description for the upper portion of this trail under the Corral Creek and Upper Big South Trails description.

There are 16 designated campsites situated along the trail in the Big South Travel Zone. The first five campsites are located on the slope above the trail, starting about 0.75 mile in.

Campsite 1

Mom really like Campsite 4.

Site #6 is located just before crossing the bridge over May Creek about 2 miles from the trailhead. Site #7 is located uphill shortly after crossing May Creek. Campsite #8 is located about 0.75 mile further uphill and to your left.

We went past campsite 7 trying to find campsite 8. Found out later that the sign for 8 is missing.

We hiked to campsite 8 before turning around.

The Poudre River was really running. At times mom and dad had to yell at me for me to hear them over the river noise.

There were great wildflowers along the trail

You know if we were near the river I needed to swim. Mom and Dad were worried I would go in to far and get swept to Ft. Collins. I am a dog not stupid. I was really careful.