Stormy Peaks Trail
Description:
The
Stormy Peaks Trail travels through both the Comanche Peak Wilderness and Rocky
Mountain National Park. The majority of the trail is in the park. It can be
reached from the Stormy Peaks Trailhead near the Pingree Park campus of Colorado
State University on the north and from the North Fork Trail on the southern
end. The trail begins on the northern end at an elevation of 9,035 feet and
steadily climbs to an elevation of 11,680 feet. It travels through dense forest
of spruce and lodgepole pine for the first 4 miles. Most of the trail on this
side of Stormy Peaks Pass is very rocky and difficult to hike. In some places
you must rely on rock cairns to mark the way. The first part of the trail
travels through the 1994 Hourglass fire area. Small aspen trees cover the
forest floor under the burned trees.
It
is about 3 miles to the boundary of the park. After a mile inside the park
the trail crosses the alpine tundra, passing below the two Stormy Peaks. Stormy
Peaks Pass is a wide expanse of tundra surrounded by towering peaks. The scenery
is quite breathtaking. The trail follows the east side of the pass and is
cut deep into the tundra in some places due to water erosion. It winds its
way through an open valley on the other side of the pass until it begins a
steep descent into the North Fork drainage. This section of the trail is steep
and travels over numerous log steps. After many switchbacks, the trail ends
at the North Fork Trail after a total of 7.1 miles. Turn right to go to Lost
Lake or left to reach the Dunraven Trailhead. Camping is not permitted within
200 feet of any lake, stream, or trail within the wilderness. A backcountry
camping permit is required to camp in the park.
Features:
| Length: |
7.1 miles (11.4 kilometers) |
| Elevation Range: |
9,035' - 11,675' |
| Elevation change: |
4,375 feet |
| Season: |
July 1 - Sept 30 |
| Difficulty: |
Moderate - Difficult |
| Use: |
Moderate |
| USGS maps: |
Pinegree Park |
| Trailheads: |
Stormy Peak, Dunraven |
| Restrictions: |
No pets are allowed on that portion
of the trail that is in Rocky Mountain National Park, backcountry permit
required for camping in the park |
| Suitable for mountain bikes: |
No (not permitted in the wilderness
or park) |
| Suitable for horses: |
Yes |
Vicinity Map
Altitude Profile
Directions:
The
Stormy Peaks Trail is located in the Comanche Peak Wilderness and Rocky Mountain
National Park. Take Highway 287 north from Fort Collins to La Porte. Continue
on 287 north to Highway 14. Travel west on 14 for 24 miles to the Pingree
Park Road. Turn left and travel about 14.5 miles to the Stormy Peaks Trailhead.
The trailhead is on the left side of the road.
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