McIntyre Trail

Description:
The McIntyre Trail provides access to the north end of the Rawah Wilderness. It travels north and west from the Link - McIntyre Trailhead about 9.8 miles, intersecting with the Shipman Park Trail near Ute Pass. The trail begins at an elevation of 8,423 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 by making a moderate climb around the hillside toward McIntyre Creek. You can see the Laramie River Valley to the north and east through the lodgepole pine trees. The trail soon begins to descend into the McIntyre Creek drainage. It crosses the creek over a wooden bridge sturdy enough to handle horses. Those reluctant to cross the bridge can cross the creek below the bridge. The trail turns left and follows the north side of the creek, climbing a little over a 1000 feet in about 3.7 miles. For the most part the climb is gradual with a few short moderate climbs along the way. There is plenty of access to McIntyre Creek for those who wish to fish. The trail surface is rocky in some spots and smooth in others. It can be wet in places but the bad ones are traversed by four wooden walkways.
Just after passing through a wooden rail fence the trail intersects the McIntyre Creek Trail at about 4.9 miles. This trail heads south toward McIntyre Ponds. The McIntyre Trail continues on northwest along the east edge of Hausmer Park. Here the trail travels through an open stand of lodgepole pine giving a park-like atmosphere. It parallels Hausmer Park and climbs above the meadow. The trail is moderately steep in some spots. After winding around the north end of Hausmer Park, the trail descends through a dense spruce forest where it meets the old trail that follows the west side of the park. From here it follows an old road track, except for a detour around a boggy area near the south end of Shipman Park, up to Ute Pass. It is about five miles from the McIntrye Creek Trail intersection to Ute Pass. This trail intersects the Shipman Park Trail just below Ute Pass and the Medicine Bow Trail in the pass.



Features:

Vicinity Map

Altitude Profile

Other Nearby Resources: