One of many
trip reports under the
SilGro home page for Alan Silverstein and Cathie
Grow.
Email me at
ajs@frii.com.
Last update: May 29, 2024
(Previous trip report: 1988_0924_Pagoda,Storm.htm)
Crosier Mountain between the main and north forks of the Big Thompson Canyon was positioned for a gorgeous view of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain NP, and it was low enough to make a fine spring or fall expedition. The east trailhead was about 2.4 miles beyond Drake on the North Fork Big Thompson (Glen Haven) road, 30 miles from Fort Collins, simply marked "trail". Just up the hill from the parking pullout was a National Forest sign, so you knew you were in the right place. I'm not sure of the trailhead elevation because I didn't have the map; it was within 200' of 6500'. (Turned out to be 6419'.)
HPites Philippe Lindheimer, Nancy Kirkwood (later Lynette Banion), and I chose a marvelous fall day to make this trip. We started up at 0957 and reached the top, 4.5 miles away, at 1327 (3:30 for total gain around 3000'). We took numerous breaks to enjoy the scenery, including a delicious aspen grove in perfect lime, bronze, and gold colors, low in a valley, sunlit from behind.
The trail was narrow, worn at points, and varied from flat to fairly steep. But it wasn't too rocky, so it was generally comfortable. It climbed south out of the river valley through ponderosa pines and junipers to Sullivan Park, a beautiful high meadow big enough for a golf course. After crossing the meadow you hike west up another ridge, drop about 250' into a narrow valley (the one with the aspen trees), climb west out of that one, cross another meadow, and finally see and reach the summit. The very top is only visible when you get within 100'. It's a rocky outcrop with a sharp drop to the west, from which the tremendous view is gained.
That Saturday the skies were clear except for stratocumulus drifting over the Front Range. Cool breezes; circling hawks (or eagles?) Very mellow. We didn't start back until 1510. It took longer than I expected to make the return descent... Lots of down-and-around, and some climbing back up... Another long stop to revel in the golden light of that aspen grove... We reached my car at 1732; 7:35 round trip.
(Next trip report: 1988_1030-31_MaunaKea.htm)