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The trail climbs 1.3 miles then enters Colorado State Forest State Park before climbing an additional half mile to the pass. From here there are magnificent views of North Park to the west, Neota Wilderness to the south, and Rawah Wilderness to the north. At the boundary line between Roosevelt National Forest and Colorado State Forest State Park there is the remains of an historic log cabin that was built around 1900. The trail is in a sub-alpine are with large sub-alpine fir and Engelmann spruce. Montgomery Pass trailhead accommodates approximately 55 vehicles.
Find more information at Poudre Wilderness Volunteers. Download trail summary here.
At a Glance
| Usage: | Light |
|---|---|
| Restrictions: | Trail Regulations: Motorized equipment is prohibited. Certified weed-free hay is required for stock. Leave historic artifacts as you find them. |
| Closest Towns: | Rustic, Fort Collins, Walden |
| Water: | None |
| 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 onto CO 14 and travel 58 miles west to the Zimmerman Lake trailhead parking lot; on the left side of the highway. The Montgomery Pass trailhead is across the highway to the north.Activities
Day Hiking
Montgomery Pass trailhead accommodates approximately 55 vehicles.
| Fire Information | Check for any seasonal fire restrictions before your hike. Campfires must be at least 100 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: | Moderate |
|---|
Backpacking
Montgomery Pass trailhead accommodates approximately 55 vehicles.| Fire Information | Check for any seasonal fire restrictions before your hike. Campfires must be at least 100 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: | Moderate |
|---|
Horse Riding
Montgomery Pass trailhead accommodates approximately 55 vehicles.| Size Restrictions | no |
| Corrals | no |
| Loading Ramp | no |
| Hitching Rails | no |
| Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
|---|
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
Park at the Zimmerman Lake parking lot and cross Colorado Highway 14, near the eastern entrance to the parking lot. Look for signs and markers heading north (your right). The trail rises steeply through the trees for two miles, then breaks out of the trees just below Montgomery Pass itself. There is considerable avalanche danger on the steeper slopes in this area above tree line serious backcountry skiers can be seen on most slopes. On the descent be wary of slower, uphill skiers on the narrow trail.| Difficulty Level: | Most Difficult |
|---|