Killpecker Trail

From Coloradohikingtrails

Killpecker Trail
Near Red Feather Lakes, Killpecker Trail (US Forest Service Trail No. 956) is a pleasant hike along Killpecker Creek through a lodgepole pine and Engelmann spruce forest. Great views of small cascades and lush forest as it climbs toward Middle Bald Mountain.

Fast Facts
Distance(Miles):	4.2 One-way to Elkhorn Baldy Rd.
Trail Surface & Condition:	Dirt
Other Trail Users:	Horses, Bicyclists
Ownership:	National Forest
Best Seasons:	Three seasons (spring thru fall)
Type:	Out-and-Back
Beginning Elev (Feet):	9,180
Ending Elev (Feet):	10,920
Elevation Gain (Feet):	1,480
Difficulty Rating:	11.4
Trailhead Coordinates:	Latitude: 40.8135 Longitude: -105.70948
Junction With Elkhorn Baldy Rd No 517 Coordinates:	Latitude: 40.764851 Longitude: -105.712491

Killpecker Creek Trailhead

Trailhead Information

Killpecker Creek Trailhead near North Fork Poudre Campground
Near To: Red Feather Lakes, North Fork Campground, Colorado

Driving Directions To Trailhead From Fort Collins, drive north on US Hwy 287, 10.5 miles north of Ted's Place to the Forks at Livermore. Turn left and head up the Red Feather Lakes Rd #74E. Just past the vllage of Red Feather and the Pot Belly Restaurant, take Deadman Rd. #162 to the left. The Killpecker trailhead is located 5 miles past a Forest Service gate and call box, on the south (left) side of the road. It is about 100 yards before the turnoff to the North Fork Poudre Campground, which is on the right (north) side of the road. The parking lot is small; additional parking can be found just past the trailhead on the north side of the road, just before the campground entrance. Facilities are located at the campground. Total distance from the Forks to the trailhead is 31.5 miles.

Killpecker Creek Trailhead near North Fork Poudre Campground

Maps & Images Lat: 40.8135 Long: -105.70948

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
Elevation: 9,180'

Trail & Hike Description

The trail heads steadily uphill through a forst of lodgepole pine and Engelmann spruce. For the first 1/3 of a mile, the creek is just out of eyesight. But soon, the trail drops back to the creek, and parallels the creek until the first road crossing. Along this stretch are great views of the creek as it cascades down the valley. There are two stream crossings over log foot bridges. Neither are particularly frightening.

At 2 miles, the trail veers away from the creek, and plateaus at the first of three crossings of Killpecker Rd. #300. At the road crossing, turn left (east), and about 50 yards down the road you'll see the trail continue uphill again. After a climb of about 1/3 mile, the trail will pass a spring, then turn west, and back south again, where it crosses Killpecker Rd. once again. The trail continues south/southwest, and at about 3 miles crosses Killpecker Rd a third and last time. Look for a marker south of the road, indicating the continuation of the trail. From here the trail will climb a ridge along the northwest side of Middle Bald Mountain, before turning south and dropping to the intersection with Elkorn Baldy Rd. #517.

If you bring two cars and leave one at the North Lone Pine Trailhead, you can then continue to the southeast on Elkhorn Baldy Rd. for about 1/3 mile, where you can intercept the North Lone Pine Trail heading down the east side of Middle Bald Mountain and North Bald Mountain, with a return distance down North Lone Pine Trail of about 4.5 miles.

Motorcycles are allowed on this trail. I've not seen motorcycles on the lower sections of the trail, however on a recent hike they were on the trail above the first Killpecker Rd. crossing. Be wary of encountering them on the trail, however you will hear them coming well before you see them, giving you plenty of time to step off the trail.

External Links & References

Killpecker Trail description on US Forest Service web site