Greyrock Trail
Description:
Greyrock
Trail is 19.4 miles from Fort Collins. The parking area is on the left side
of the road and will hold about two dozen vehicles. The parking area is for
day use only with the exception of backpackers. The trail starts on the other
side of the Poudre River across a wooden foot bridge. It climbs gently west
for about .6 miles to a junction where it splits into the Meadow and Summit
trails. The trails take different routes and rejoin near the summit of Greyrock
Mountain. You can make a loop by taking one trail up and the other trail back.
The
Meadow Trail travels up a narrow valley that was recently burned and then
switchbacks up a south-facing ridge and down to Greyrock Meadow. The hike
down to the meadow is a pleasant walk through a dense fir stand. The meadow
is a large grassy area just to the west and below Greyrock Mountain. On the
way you can see Hewlett Gulch to the west. The trail is well defined as it
crosses the south end of the meadow. On the other side of the meadow the trail
climbs the ridge, going south a little ways and then north and east until
it joins the Summit Trail on a saddle near the summit of Greyrock Mountain.
This trail is about 3.5 miles long.
It
is about .9 miles from the junction to the summit of Greyrock Mountain. About
2/3 of the trail is very difficult. It climbs over and around large rocks
and at times is difficult to find. Rock cairns mark the way in some spots.
At the top there is a small pond occupied by frogs. The view here is spectacular.
From
the junction, the Summit Trail travels for about 2.2 miles down the east side
of a deep gulch with a flowing stream in its bottom. At a point about .4 miles
from the junction it switchbacks down into the gulch and follows the stream.
The trail along the stream becomes quite rocky and crosses the stream once
before rejoining the main trail.
The
total length of the loop (Meadow and Summit trails) is about 5.7 miles. The
trails are of moderate difficulty. Gorgeous views can be seen at many points
along the way.
Features:
| Length (to top): |
Meadow Loop - 4.47 mi (7.2 km)
Summit Loop - 3.16 mi (5.1 km) |
| Elevation Range: |
5,577' - 7,540' |
| Elevation change: |
Meadow Loop - 2,685 feet
Summit Loop - 1,997 feet |
| Season: |
All year round |
| Difficulty: |
Moderate to difficult |
| Use: |
High |
| USGS maps: |
Poudre Park |
| Trailheads: |
Greyrock |
| Restrictions: |
Pets must be on a leash |
| Suitable for mountain bikes: |
No |
| Suitable for horses: |
No |
Vicinity Map
Altitude Profile
Other
Nearby Resources:
Directions:
Take
Highway 287 north from Fort Collins to Laporte. Continue on 287 to Highway 14.
Travel west on 14 for seven miles to the trailhead. The parking lot is on the
left side of the highway. The trail begins on the north side of the Poudre River.
There is a bridge below the right side of the highway.
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