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Browns Lake (#941)
The trail is south across the road from the trailhead parking lot. The trail ascends to a ridge just west of the Crown Point summit at the boundary of the Comanche Peak Wilderness and the northern edge of the Browns Lake travel zone. From here the Mummy Range can be seen to the south, the Medicine Bow range to the west, and the Snowy Range in Wyoming to the north. After a mile through a tundra valley and over another crest, the trail descends, crosses the Flowers Trail (#939) near the remains of an old sheepherder’s cabin, and continues down to Browns Lake. The trail passes between Browns Lake and Timberline Lake then continues descending for 1½ miles before intersecting the Beaver Creek Trail (#942).The Browns Lake trailhead accommodates approximately16 vehicles.
You can find more information on the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers website. Download trail summary here.
At a Glance
| Usage: | Heavy |
|---|---|
| Restrictions: | General Wilderness Regulations: Dogs must be on a hand held leash. No motorized or mechanized equipment. Camps, campfires, and stock, where allowed, at least 200 feet from water and trails. Group size limited to 12 people or stock animals combined. No campfires – stoves only. Overnight stock use prohibited. |
| Closest Towns: | Rustic, Fort Collins |
| Water: | Water can be filtered and treated from nearby water sources |
| Restroom: | Practice Leave No Trace principles. |
General Information
Directions: Travel 11 miles northwest of Fort Collins on U.S. Highway 287 to Colorado Highway 14. Turn left on CO 14, and travel 26 miles to County Road 63E, Pingree Park Road. Turn left and travel 5 miles to Forest Road 139, Crown Point Road. Turn right and travel 12 miles to the trailhead parking on the right side of the road.Activities
Day Hiking
The Browns Lake Trail heads south of the Crown Point parking lot following an old jeep road to a ridge just west and below Crown Point. The above timberline view from this location is panoramic: the Medicine Bow Range to the west, Snowy Range in Wyoming to the north, and the Mummy Range to the south and southeast. As you continue, the trail will parallel Crown Point and drop into a tundra valley. There is another climb over a ridge before the trail starts its descent to Browns Lake. The Browns Lake trailhead accommodates approximately 16 vehicles.
| Fire Information | Check for any seasonal fire restrictions before your hike. Most portions of this trail are within a Comanche Peak Wilderness Area Travel Zone, which prohibits campfires. Outside of the Travel Zone, campfires must be at least 200 feet from water and trails. You may collect dead and down wood; do not break branches from standing trees for firewood. Please attend to campfires at all times. Touch any remaining coals with the bare hand to insure campfire is cold and dead out. Remember, if it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave! |
| Difficulty Level: | Most Difficult |
|---|
Backpacking
The Browns Lake trailhead accommodates approximately 16 vehicles.| Fire Information | Check for any seasonal fire restrictions before your hike. Most portions of this trail are within a Comanche Peak Wilderness Area Travel Zone, which prohibits campfires. Outside of the Travel Zone, campfires must be at least 200 feet from water and trails. You may collect dead and down wood; do not break branches from standing trees for firewood. Please attend to campfires at all times. Touch any remaining coals with the bare hand to insure campfire is cold and dead out. Remember, if it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave! |
| Difficulty Level: | Most Difficult |
|---|
Horse Riding
The Browns Lake trailhead accommodates approximately 16 vehicles.| Size Restrictions | no |
| Corrals | no |
| Loading Ramp | no |
| Hitching Rails | no |
| Difficulty Level: | Most Difficult |
|---|