2 replies to this topic

[Howie]

I plan on starting at the Colorado River TH and hiking to Skeleton Gulch via La Poudre & Thunder Pass. I took this path-in reverse-a couple of years ago. When I came down from Skeleton Gulch, (to the best of my memory) I crossed the Grand Ditch immediately, but then soon had gotten off the beaten path somehow, and then later got back on it, and back down La Poudre Pass to the CRTH.

Looking at the Trails Illustrated map, it's hard to tell exactly where Thunder pass intersects with Grand Ditch; it almost looks like it does in two places, and Ditch Camp is right in the middle. Is anyone familiar with this area? Do you know how well these trails are marked?

[John]

I'm not sure that I understand the question completely, but I spent a week in that area last year, so I'll do my best...

We took Colorado TH to the point where the trail splits and one way (the way we went) goes to Ditch Town and the other way goes to La Poudre Pass. If you go to La Poudre Pass I think the trail will be easy to follow. The way we went was very clear and well marked. If you go to La Poudre Pass, from there you could get on the Grand Ditch road and go to Skeleton Gultch no problem. However if you take the trail like we did you will go directly to Skeleton Gultch and miss La Poudre pass and save some miles. We didn't stay at Skeleton Gultch, we stayed at Box Canyon and then on day 2, we went over Thunder Pass and visited the amazingly beautiful Michigan Lakes and Snow Lake. I also summitted Lulu Mountain and saw a golden eagle while on the top. Great views too. The trail to Thunder Pass is very clear and easy to follow. But you get to it through Box Canyon, not Skeleton Gultch. As I remember, the bridge that takes you over the Grand Ditch into Box Canyon is about half a mile north of the bridge that takes you over the Grand Ditch into Skeleton Gultch. I can see what you mean on the Trails Illustrated Map, but notice that there is a short section of road from the Box Canyon trail to the Skeleton Gultch Trail. So it doesn't really intersect in two places. During our hike, we never found ourselves wondering which way to go next or feeling lost. The trails were well worn and well marked. If this doesn't answer your question, feel free to ask follow up questions. That's what this forum is here for!

[Howie]

During our hike, we never found ourselves wondering which way to go next or feeling lost.  The trails were well worn and well marked. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cool!! Thanks John! That's what I was looking for!