Colorado Annual Backcountry: On the Way Out [5: Sunday, July 25, 2010]

Another fine night for sleeping under the stars and a bright, shiny, full Moon. We wake-up restful and a little sad, knowing we need to leave this beautiful place. We pack up and take one last look at the Hague Creek valley. It's one mile down to the Poudre, and we follow that river one more mile down. It's a peaceful walk, relatively flat. The River is wider and looking more wild. We reach the Corral Creek Trail. This is where we head uphill to the trailhead, where the car is parked. We decide to walk a few hundred yards down the Poudre to take one last look. I know about three miles away the trail crosses the water and continues down, into the Big South, all the way to highway 14. Maybe a future trip.

As we hike up we notice a raging creek, Poudre Pass Creek. This is the outlet of the Long Draw Reservoir, close to where we're parked. This is the water slating the thirst of many denizens of the Front Range, captured from the winter snow. Now it's a torrent; something scary looking. We eventually reach the car and decide to ride along the reservoir to the parking area at the end of the dirt road. Back here is La Poudre Pass. This is the head-water of the Colorado River. We walk along the path that parallels the Grand Ditch, diverted water from the Never Summer mountain range, and reach the swampy area where the might Colorado originates.

An interesting aspect here is the path is an entry into more spectacular wilderness. Something to think about. Anyway, this area is a real change of pace for those who backpack in the high peaks. Lots of wildlife, beautiful scenery and many options for hiking. Something to think about for sure...

Information about the camps:

Cache
Flatiron

One last look up the valley, time to go