GC2YKVR Water Logged Feet
Type: Traditional | Size: Regular | Difficulty: | Terrain:
By: runeroamer @ | Hide Date: 06/19/2011 | Status: Available
Country: United States | State: Colorado
Coordinates: N40° 42.968 W105° 19.909 | Last updated: 08/30/2019 | Fav points: 0
 

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Congrats to Pixelmagic for another FTF

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This is another one of my favorite little hikes in the Poudre Canyon (it’s also dog friendly). The trail is very open and broad making easy for even the beginning trekker. It is fun to navigate the creek crossings especially in the spring runoff. The kids will most likely enjoy walking right through the creek and have water logged feet when the hike is completed. As you progress though the trail keep your eyes to the skies for hawks and the occasional big horn sheep.


Within the first mile you encounter the remnants of Horace Huleatt’s old homestead. Huleatte (the spelling was later changed to Hewlett for unknown reasons) settled the gulch in 1870 to find out later that he was on sacred Ute Indian land. A little further up the trail a second rock foundation. Along the trail are thousands of wildflowers. The big orange poppies, when in bloom, are amazing. Around mile 2 the trail Ts, I recommend staying to the right and enjoying the canyon. As you ascend, the trail opens up to a large meadow and begins the upper mountain life zone. The total elevation gain is only about 1200 feet. As you descend, around mile 5 there will be a deep gully. At the top of this short climb there is another T on the trail. To the right is a 4 mile out and back option. This is a great addition for for mountain bikers. To the left you will eventually encounter a great plateau with 360 degree views, just before you begin a rugged rocky descent and meet the original trail once again. The complete loop is around 8 miles, but worth the hike.

The Gulch is also open to mountain bikers. The trail is physically moderate to challenging do to an extended climb midway through the ride. It also has a section that is technically challenging due to a very rocky and steep section of the trail. It also can be great for first time mountain bikers as you can ride at your own pace.

Trailhead is about 10 miles on highway 14 after passing the town of Poudre Park. The bridge will be on the north crossing the Cache la Poudre River.

The Cache is an ammo box with swag and a TB ready to continue its adventure.

06/05/2019 By Karate Hiker
In town visiting my kids and siblings. Out on a wonderful 8 mile hike with 3 of my grown kids. They each found one cache and I found 2. My oldest son found this one.

This one appears to be a 'lonely" cache as it has not been found in over a year. An unexpected cache to check of one more in my "Lonely Mountain" challenge.

TFTF

08/11/2017 By stirius83
Second cache of the day. Another container that shows signs of the fires. Quick grab while the group continued their hike. TFTC.

05/15/2016 By wapah
Almost forgot to log this one. Did the loop. And, this cache. T!

04/05/2014 By jmuser
See the pics from my find. Needs some work. :-)

04/05/2014 By jmuser
Out for our real first hike of the year. I have been on this tail several times before, but I have never completed the full loop. Got the full loop in today along with the better half. Specifically came out to bag this cache. Found it laying out in the open, not hidden. The fire has really trashed this one. Scorched and burned up. See the pics. I did not sign the log as it needs to be replaced. Also, due to it laying out in the open, it looks like the log may be suffering from "muggleosis". :-) I will enter a "needs maintenance"for this one as well. Not sure when or if the forrest service will close this trail again. All of the trees are blackened and dead. No telling when they may fall across the trail. Still worth the hike even though everything is burned out. Amazing what the power of nature can do! I re-hid the cache in it's "spot", with the lid closed as best I could. The pics here will have to serve as my log entry. TFTC!! :-)

01/18/2014 By PWO45
TFTF