Roaring Creek Trail 952

From Coloradohikingtrails

Roaring Creek Trail 952
Climb out of Poudre Canyon into Roaring Creek valley, a meadowed valley with dense lodgepole pine forests. Beautiful views of the Poudre River valley, a variety of terrain to please everyone.

Fast Facts
Distance(Miles):	5.1 one-way
Trail Surface & Condition:	Dirt
Other Trail Users:	Horses
Ownership:	National Forest
Best Seasons:	Year around weather permitting
Type:	Out-and-Back
Beginning Elev (Feet):	7,750
Ending Elev (Feet):	9,879
Elevation Gain (Feet):	2,129
Difficulty Rating:	14.5
Roaring Creek Trailhead GPS Coordinates:	Latitude: 40.71393 Longitude: -105.73485
Intersection with Elkhorn Baldy Rd. Coordinates:	Latitude: 40.764561 Longitude: -105.76543

Meadow and aspen trees along Roaring Creek Trail

Trailhead Information

Roaring Creek Trailhead
Near To: Rustic, Upper Poudre River Canyon, Colorado

Driving Directions To Trailhead Up Poudre Canyon, 40.5 miles from Ted's Place. The trailhead and parking lot are on the right side, 1.5 miles past the fish hatchery. No facilities, best to use the facilities at the Big Bend Campground approximately 1 mile before the trailhead.

Roaring Creek Trailhead

Elevation: 7,750'

Maps & Images Lat: 40.71393 Long: -105.73485

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

Roaring Creek trail climbs some 5 miles from the Poudre Canyon following Roaring Creek. From the trailhead, the trail heads north. After crossing a bridge over the north branch of Roaring Creek, it climbs steeply, for about 1 mile, making several switchbacks through sagebrush, Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. The terrain opens up into a meadowed area with stands of Aspen trees, then levels out. From this point on, it meaners along the willow-covered Roaring Creek and through dense Lodgepole Pine forests until it intersects with Elkhorn Blady Rd.

Look for Bighorn Sheep browing in the trailhead area, and for moose along the upper part of the trail. The creek is inhabited by native greenback cutthroat trout.

The steep climb over the first mile may scare away some less-hardy souls. But the efforts are well-rewarded by the beauty and tranquility of the trail along the Roaring Creek valley.

External Links & References

Roaring Creek Trail Description on US Forest Service web site