Hiking – Crosier Mountain

*** Please make sure you're comfortable with the pace and elevation gain ***

The snowshoe strike continues! I hope you'll join me for a hike up Crosier Mountain from the Garden Gate trailhead, a 9.6 mile out-and-back with nearly 3,300' of elevation gain/loss. Expect a rocky and steep trail, minimal water, and terrific views from the summit. Here's a description from Summit Post:

"Crosier Mountain is a somewhat hidden highpoint in a multitude of other Front Range peaks as the foothills transition into the mountains proper, specifically Rocky Mountain National Park and the Mummy Range. This mountain has year round access via three separate trails: Garden Gate, Rainbow Trail/Gravel Pit and Glen Haven. All are conveniently located within 8 miles of one another along CR43 between the towns of Drake and Glen Haven. Crosier is located in the Glen Haven quadrangle.

"The Northern Colorado Mountains and the Roosevelt National Forest are very different from other Colorado wilderness areas. Most notable is the dryness/lack of water and flora. Crosier Mountain is a dry mountain with little to no water sources. So remember to bring plenty of fluids. And even then, I'd be leary of what you do find (even filtering) due to the overwhelming large presence of wildlife in the area. It can get intolerably hot in the middle of summer.

"The summit of Crosier Mountain will reward you with panoramics of Twin Sisters Peaks and Longs Peak to the south, Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National park to the southwest and west, Signal Mountain to the northwest and the Front Range to the east."

Route & Map: Here's a link to All Trails, a link to List of John, and I'll provide a .gpx route in the pre-trip email.

We will meet at 6:30 for a 6:45 departure from the Wagon Road Park-n-Ride located West of I-25 at 120th Avenue. Google link here. Parking at the Garden Gate trailhead is limited to 6 vehicles although there is also parking along the road.

Directions to the trailhead: Travel 8 miles past the Dam Store on U.S. Highway 34 up Big Thompson Canyon west of Loveland to Drake, and turn right on County Road 43, Glen Haven Road. Crosier Mountain can be approached from three trailheads on the south side of CR 43. The first is Garden Gate Trailhead located 2.2 miles from Drake.