Hiking – South Platte River TH to Chair Rocks

This will be a winter hike/snowshoe depending on snow conditions. We will have a casual pace, but there is 2,129 feet of elevation gain round trip, so expect some exertion. While the goal is to reach the Chair Rocks formation, the group will decide how far we hike based on snow and weather conditions as well as energy levels.

We will start our hike westward by crossing the Gudy Gaskill bridge. Gudy was a driving force behind the Colorado Trail and the bridge was built in 1999 in her honor. After years of being "The Mother of the Colorado Trail", Gudy died in July of 2016.

The first part of the hike towards Chair Rocks is in dry and exposed terrain created during the 1996 Buffalo Creek fire with views of Raleigh Peak, then the trail eventually enters open forest before reaching our goal of the Chair Rocks formation.

The human induced Buffalo Creek wildfire started on May 18, 1996 and burned nearly 12,000 acres of the Pike National Forest and nearby private land.

No Pets.

We will travel as a group and observe the Principles of Leave No Trace, especially :
-Travel on durable surfaces (stay on the trail)
-Dispose of waste properly
-Leave what you find
-Respect wildlife
-Be considerate of other visitors

Trail Data
- 5.2 miles one way / 10.4 round trip
- Elevation Profile. 6091' to 7872',  +2,054' -275'  one way = 2,129' round trip
- Caltopo Map Route: https://caltopo.com/m/NV69

Questions about the hike? Email Glenn at gjb2000@gmail.com

We will meet at 8:30am at the South Platte River Trailhead where Colorado Trail Sections 2 and 1 intersect along Jefferson County Road 97 for a trip briefing and equipment check.

Colorado Trail Trailhead: South Platte River
2707-2765 N Platte River Rd, Sedalia, CO 80135
Google Map https://goo.gl/maps/fzLQwodzDM4irZkn6