Link Trail
Description:
The
Link Trail travels south and west from the Link - McIntyre Trailhead about
10.5 miles, intersecting with the Rawah Trail near Rawah Lake #1. The trail
begins at an elevation of 8,427 feet at the trailhead and ends at 10,728 feet
on the Rawah Trail. The parking area at the trailhead will accommodate about
15 - 20 vehicles including large horse trailers. This trail is an excellent
horse trail. There are restroom facilities at the trailhead but no drinking
water is available.
The
trail begins a gentle climb to the south behind Browns Park Campground and
travels through a lodgepole pine forest. You reach the wilderness boundary
in about a tenth of a mile. The early part of the trail is fairly level as
it travels along the east facing ridge, offering a pleasant hike. It cuts
wide path through the dense forest
making it great for horses. The trail surface is smooth on the lower half
of the trail and there are only a few small stream crossings. The trail makes
a steady climb in a south westerly direction toward the Big McIntyre Burn
area. You'll reach the burn area after about five miles. Here the forest opens
up with younger lodgepole pine trees healing the scars of the past fire. There
is plenty of grass for livestock in the burn area. The trail climbs up through
a saddle in the burn area and then turns west and climbs through a treeless
area with high grass. You get great views of the surrounding area from this
point.
From
the treeless area the trail turns south into a dense spruce forest as it makes
its way toward the Rawah Trail. The trail becomes much more rocky here and
can be difficult to follow in spots, especially if there is snow on the ground.
You'll reach the intersection with the Medicine Bow Trail in about two miles.
From here the Link Trail travels south, intersecting the McIntyre Lake Trail
in about .6 miles. The trail can be quite rough near the end of this section
of the trail.
South
of the McIntyre Lake Trail the trail travels through some long meadows with
large rock cairns marking the way. It then enters the dense spruce forest
making some switchbacks over a knob and winding through the forest to its
intersection with the Rawah Trail. This section of the trail is about 1.4
miles long.
Features:
| Length: |
10.5 miles (16.9 kilometers) |
| Elevation Range: |
8,427' - 10,742' |
| Elevation change: |
3,125 feet |
| Season: |
July - September |
| Difficulty: |
Moderate |
| Use: |
Moderate |
| USGS maps: |
Glendevy, Rawah Lakes |
| Trailheads: |
Link/McIntyre |
| Restrictions: |
Pets must be on a leash |
| Suitable for mountain bikes: |
No (not allowed in wilderness) |
| Suitable for horses: |
Yes |
Vicinity Map
Altitude
Profile
Directions:
The
Link Trail is located in the Rawah Wilderness and can be reached via the Link
- McIntyre Trailhead. Take Highway 287 north from Fort Collins to Laporte.
Continue on Highway 287 to Highway 14. Travel west on 14 for 50 miles to the
Laramie River Road. Turn right and travel 15 miles to County Road 80C. Turn
left and go 2.5 miles to the trailhead. The trailhead is on the left side
of the road.
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