Cherokee Park State Wildlife Area-Lower Unit

From Coloradohikingtrails

Cherokee Park State Wildlife Area-Lower Unit
The Cherokee Park State Wildlife Area are public lands administered by the Colorado Division Of Wildlife. Although the primary use is hunting and fishing, these former ranchlands are criss-crossed with trails and old roads, and offer a diverse landscape of meadows, creek bottoms, riparian areas, rugged and rocky outcrops, and forested areas. It is comprised of five units known as the Lower, Middle, Upper, Lone Pine and Rabbit Creek Units. This hike description is limited to a hike in the Lower and Rabbit Creek Units only. One of the highlights of this hike is a visit to the abandoned Elliott ranch house.

Fast Facts
Distance(Miles):	2 miles to Elliott Ranch House
Trail Surface & Condition:	Dirt
Other Trail Users:	Horses
Ownership:	Other (Colorado Dept. Of Wildlife)
Best Seasons:	Year around weather permitting
Type:	Out-and-Back
Beginning Elev (Feet):	6,330
Ending Elev (Feet):	6,285
Elevation Gain (Feet):	-45
Difficulty Rating:	4
Cherokee Parks SWA Lower Unit Trailhead GPS Coordinates:	Latitude: 40.8433 Longitude: -105.3344
Rabbit Creek Unit Parking Area GPS Coordinates:	Latitude: 40.8280 Longitude: -105.3501
Elliott Ranch House On Middle Rabbit Creek GPS Coordinates:	Latitude: 40.8278 Longitude: -105.3654

Abandoned Elliott Ranch House On Middle Rabbit Creek In Cherokee Park State Wildlife Area

Maps & Trailhead Directions

Cherokee Parks SWA Lower Unit Trailhead
Near To: Livermore, CO, Colorado

Driving Directions To Trailhead From Fort Collins, drive north on US Hwy 287, 14 miles north of Ted's Place to West County Road 80C (Cherokee Park Road). Turn left and head west on CR 80C 5.6 miles to the Cherokee Park State Wildlife Area (SWA) Lower Unit trailhead and parking lot on the left (south) side of the road. No facilities or running water.

The Colorado Division Of Wildlife requires that everyone entering State Wildlife Areas must have a Habitat Stamp in their possession. Habitat Stamps may be ordered online, or can be purchased anywhere that Colorado hunting or fishing licenses are sold (any Division Of Wildlife office, and most sporting goods stores, including Jax in Fort Collins). Also note that public access is prohibited from September 1 to May 1, except for hunting and fishing (see page 13 of DOW Property Regulations for specific details). One solution to this restriction is to carry a fishing rod (and of course a fishing license) if you would like to hike this area from September 1 to May 1. Although productive fishing on the creek at this time of year is questionable, you will be legal!

Cherokee Parks SWA Lower Unit Trailhead

Elevation: 6,330'

Maps & Images Lat: 40.8433 Long: -105.3344

Street map from Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps

Satellite image from Google Maps or Microsoft Virtual Earth

Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA

Trail & Hike Description

The Cherokee Park State Wildlife Area (SWA) is comprised of five units known as the Lower, Middle, Upper, Lone Pine and Rabbit Creek Units, owned by the Colorado Division Of Wildlife. In total, the Cherokee Park SWA encompasses more than 28,000 acres that provide a home to mule deer, elk, black bear, moose, coyotes, rodents and birds. And they also provide unique hiking opportunities.

The Lower Unit, Rabbit Creek Unit and Lone Pine Unit are immediately adjacent to one another, and offer a large block of mostly undeveloped land available for hiking, fishing and hunting. Much of this land was ranch land from the late 1800's until the middle of the 20th century. There are numerous old roads and trails built during this ranching period that crisscross the area, providing ready access for the hiker or horseback rider. In addition, there are several abandoned buildings and signs of development that are disintegrating as nature slowly reclaims the area. The most recognizable and historically significant of these may be the ranch house on Middle Rabbit Creek occupied from 1910 until 1943 by John and Ida Elliott and Josephine Lamb, three pioneers with an unconventional living arrangement who owned the land and raised cattle on it during this time. The Elliotts, Josephine Lamb and the home on Middle Rabbit Creek are the subjects of the book "Rabbit Creek Country" by Jon Theim.

The hike to the Elliott ranch house begins at the Cherokee Park SWA Lower Unit Trailhead on Cherokee Park Road (Larimer County Rd. 80C). During the big game hunting season (mid-August through January), the gate at the trailhead is open, allowing vehicle access to the parking area at the Rabbit Creek SWA, reducing the hike by about 1.5 miles. Assuming the gate is locked, hike south on the road from the trailhead parking lot. This road enters the canyon of North Rabbit Creek and parallels the creek, offering a pleasant hike through meadowed areas and along the creek bottom. At about 1.5 miles, near the intersection of the North Rabbit Creek with Middle Rabbit Creek, you'll pass the parking area for the Rabbit Creek SWA. From here, pass through the gate and continue down the road.

Shortly after passing through the gate, the road will fork. Take the right fork, and continue down the road, paralleling Middle Rabbit Creek. You will pass the large rock outcropping referred to as "Symbol Rock" in Rabbit Creek Country, and soon enter a large meadow. The road will veer left and gently drop down the hill before crossing Middle Rabbit Creek. After crossing the creek, continue upstream toward the Elliott Ranch House. Keep and eye out for beaver dams and lodges along the creek - they were numerous when we made the hike in January, 2009.

Soon you'll see the Elliott Ranch House, located along the creek, beyond a slight rise in the trail. Although in serious disrepair, exploring the house and surrounding area gives one an understanding of why the Elliotts and Miss Lamb loved it so: The south-facing front of the house had numerous windows looking out on the meadowed bottom-land of Middle Rabbit Creek. Protected on the north by large Cottonwood trees lining the river, the setting is idyllic. Unlike the spartan conditions of many of the ranch and hunting cabins that can be found in the Colorado back-country, one can see examples of how the Elliotts and Miss Lamb tried to bring some touches of modern-day culture to their home, such as the wallpaper on the interior walls of the house. However they still had no running water, indoor plumbing or electricity - making it a little less idyllic for this tender-foot.

In addition to the house, the remains of two root cellars and the icehouse can be found on the west side of the house. Exploring the area further, you can see additional signs of development. To the south and southeast of the house is a furrow that follows the contour of the hillside. I presume that is is what is left of the irrigation canals dug by John Elliott to irrigate the hay and grass that grew in the meadow.

I was told by a group of horseback riders that the remains of an old schoolhouse can be found along Rabbit Creek about one mile east of the Elliott house. Running out of time, I'll save it for a return trip.

March 21 2009 Update: User Unimogbert reported that he hiked to the Elliott Ranch House plus a bit west then reversed and went downstream looking for the "one room schoolhouse". It is indeed a 1 room building. Log construction, wood floor. South facing door, West and East facing tall windows. But can't really prove it's a schoolhouse though. GPS Coordinates are: N40.82051 W105.33635

External Links & References

Cherokee Park SWA Description at Mule Deer Foundation web site

Colorado State Wildlife Areas at Colorado State Divsion Of Wildlife Web Site

Regulations Regarding DOW Properties at Colorado Division Of Wildlife Web Site (PDF File)

Habitat Stamp Information at Colorado Division Of Wildlife Web Site

Book "Rabbit Creek Country" web site