Grand Ditch Trail
Description:
The Grand Ditch Trail follows the ditch road
along side of the Grand Ditch for 11.4 miles. It begins from the Never Summer
Trailhead parking area at an elevation of 10,200 feet and makes an imperceptibly
undulating path south, ending at an elevation of 10,300 feet. Although easy
to hike or ride, the trail gains and loses over 2000 feet in its 11.4 miles.
The views from most sections of the trail are quite spectacular. You get great
views of Trail Ridge Road and the peaks to the east as well as the Kawuneeche
Valley and the lakes to the south. The trail intersects the Little Yellowstone,
Thunder Pass, Skeleton Gulch, Lake of the Clouds, and Red Mountain Trails.
It provides access to Red Gulch, Opposition Creek, Valley View, Dutch Town,
Hitchens Gulch, Ditch Camp, Skeleton Gulch, Box Canyon, and La Poudre Pass
backcountry campsites. This is a great trail for group horseback riding as
it is very wide and easy to negotiate.
Features:
| Length: |
11.4 miles (18.4 kilometers) |
|
Elevation Range:
|
10,164' - 10,303' |
| Elevation change: |
2,254 feet |
| Season: |
Jun 15 - Nov 1 |
| Difficulty: |
Easy |
| Use: |
Low |
| USGS maps: |
Fall River Pass, Grand
Lake |
| Trailheads: |
Never Summer, Colorado
River |
| Restrictions: |
No pets are permitted
|
| Suitable for mountain bikes: |
No (not permitted) |
| Suitable for horses: |
Yes |
Vicinity Map
Altitude Profile
Directions:
The
nearest trailhead to this trail is the Never Summer Trailhead on the Long
Draw Road. Take Highway 287 north from Fort Collins to La Porte. Continue
on 287 north to Highway 14. Travel west on 14 for 52 miles to the Long Draw
Road. Turn left and travel 12.5 miles to the trailhead at the end of the road.
You can also access the trail
from the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side of the Park. The trailhead
is just west of Trail Ridge Road about 10.2 miles north of the Grand Lake
Entrance and about 31 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance. Take the Lulu
City Trail for about .44 miles to its intersection with the Red Mountain Trail.
The Red Mountain Trail makes a moderate climb for 3.2 miles to the Grand Ditch
Trail.
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