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Beaver Creek (#942)
Beaver Creek Trail skirts north of Sky Ranch then rejoins the road west of the ranch before re-entering the forest. After traveling north of Hourglass Lake and following Beaver Creek, the trail borders the north side of Comanche Reservoir before entering a travel zone within the Comanche Peak Wilderness. The trail passes trailheads for Hourglass Trail (#984) at the Comanche Reservoir dam, Comanche Lake Trail (#990) and the south end of Browns Lake Trail (#941) within the travel zone, and Brackenbury Trail (#935) just before terminating at an intersection with the Flowers Trail (#939). The Hourglass and Brackenbury Trails are connectors to Mirror Lake Trail (#943) and access to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Beaver Creek trailhead accommodates approximately 4 vehicles.
You can find more information at the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers website. Download trail summary here.
At a Glance
| Usage: | Light |
|---|---|
| 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. Certified weed-free hay is required for stock. No campfires—stoves only. Overnight stock use prohibited. |
| Closest Towns: | Fort Collins |
| Water: | During normal years adequate 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, travel 26 miles, and turn left on County Road 63E, Pingree Park Road. Travel 16 miles to Forest Road 145. Turn right, pass Tom Bennett Campground, and travel approximately one mile to Beaver Creek trailhead just before entering Sky Ranch.Activities
Day Hiking
For the first 2.7 miles, the trail skirts the north sides of Hourglass Lake and Comanche Reservoir. If you are continuing on the Beaver Creek Trail, you will enter the Comanche Peak Wilderness Area, and the Browns Lake Travel Zone, at the west end of Comanche Reservoir. The Beaver Creek Trail continues uphill to the west and out of the Travel Zones. At approximately 7 miles you will reach the remains of the Brackenbury cabin and the junction with Flowers trail. This upper section of the trail receives very little foot traffic. The Beaver Creek trailhead accommodates approximately 4 vehicles.
| Fire Information | Check for any seasonal fire restrictions before your hike. Portions of this trail are within a Wilderness 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: | Moderate |
|---|
Backpacking
The Beaver Creek trailhead accommodates approximately 4 vehicles.| Fire Information | Check for any seasonal fire restrictions before your hike. Portions of this trail are within a Wilderness 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: | Moderate |
|---|
Horse Riding
The Beaver Creek trailhead accommodates approximately 4 vehicles.| Size Restrictions | no |
| Corrals | no |
| Loading Ramp | no |
| Hitching Rails | no |
| Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
|---|