Comanche Peak Wilderness – Maddy's Big Little Life

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.