Archives-Trails History

Before heading out in the high country, whether on horseback or on foot, it is a good idea to check your local weather conditions, and carry an emergency kit for both you and your horse. I found the Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance (IPWA), a Boulder-based nonprofit, a good source for information on trails in the Indian Peaks—just a short drive from the Front Range. This area is one of the most heavily used wilderness areas in the U.S. With 73,391 acres, the  Indian Peaks Wilderness is located primarily within the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and includes more than 50 lakes, 28 trails covering 133 miles, and six mountain passes across the Continental Divide. Elevations in the wilderness vary from 8,400 ft. to more than 13,500 ft. IPWA volunteers assist the U.S. Forest Service (FS) by going on hiking patrols during the summer and winter season’s to help protect our local wilderness areas. Their trail reports, which can be found on their website, list the conditions of the trails. For more on summer trail conditions or to volunteer for this wonderful organization please visit IPWA. Other resources: USFS Website  Backpacking information/permits, trail maps, and more visit: Indian Peaks Wilderness at USDA. Additional trail information, check out: Protrails.com. NOLS: For Wilderness First Aid offers classes locally. I took mine through REI here in Boulder, CO. Have a safe and surprising summer! LindaP

By Suzanne Webel Larimer County Parks and Open Lands has recently opened a brand new trail complex at its 1,362 acre Hermit Park Open Space near Estes Park. Time to go check it out! Stop near the entrance station and pay the nominal $6 entry fee. It’s worth it, because this is an exceedingly horse-friendly park. There is new, excellent, designated horse trailer parking at the Kruger Equestrian Campground (P-1). The CG itself is a well-designed facility with five level sites, each of which has two sturdy pens with buckets, and the area has a nice restroom complete with a hitching rail! There is also designated horse trailer parking at the end of the road, the Moose Meadow Trailhead (P-2). Assuming you start here, proceed down the road to the new trail junction, “Moose Meadow / Limber Pine” trails. (The previously-constructed trail connection from Hermit Park to Homestead Meadows has now been abandoned because it was hopelessly steep, rocky, narrow, and unsustainable.) Proceed up to the next trail junction. If you turn left on the Moose Meadow Trail you will find yourself on your way to Homestead Meadows (see revised Homestead Meadows trail log). Turn right on the Limber Pine Trail, so named for the tree whose needles are so pliable you can gather a bundle of them and tie them in knots. We didn’t notice any). The trail then meanders for 1.4 miles through somewhat boring piney woods to another junction, the 0.3 mile link trail down to the Equestrian Campground. Continue straight on Limber