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The Ten Essentials
10. Emergency Shelter: an emergency space blanket, tarp, or bivy sack – SHELTER COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE
Overview
| Wilderness One Way Length Beginning Elevation Peak Elevation Gain/Loss/Net Gain Ratings USFS Regulations Trails Illustrated Quadrangle |
None 4.1 miles (northern trailhead to junction with Elkhorn Baldy Road) 9,150 10,982 1,832/295/+1,537 Hikers – Moderate; Stock Riders – Moderate National Forest #111 Red Feather Lakes, Glendevey South Bald Mountain |
Location
Refer to North Lone Pine Trail for driving directions. The Killpecker trailhead is located 2.8 miles west of the North Lone Pine trailhead on the south side of Deadman Road (CR-162), adjacent to the North Fork Poudre Campground. Facilities are located at the campground. Horse trailer parking, and water available near trailhead.
| GPS Coordinates Northern trailhead Elkhorn Baldy Road (FDR-517) |
N40°48.815’ W105°42.567’ Map N40°45.844’ W105°42.690’ |
Description
The first part of the trail heads steadily uphill through a mature, mixed lodgepole pine – Douglas fir forest along Killpecker Creek. There are two stream crossings in the first 1.5 miles. After 1.5 miles the trail passes through a logged-over area shortly before intersecting Killpecker Road (FDR-300). The trail can be picked up again down road and about 100 yards east of the stream. After a short but steady climb for about 0.3 mile, the trail will take you to a spring that provides the last source of water along the trail. From here the trail turns west then back to the south to a ridge, where it will cross Killpecker Road once again, amid another logged-over area. The trail then continues to the south-southwest, crossing Killpecker Road a third and last time. Look for a marker south of the road, indicating the continuation on the trail. From here the trail will climb a ridge along the northwest side of Middle Bald Mountain. A short detour off the trail to climb to the top of Middle Bald Mountain will reward you with panoramic views in all directions (Red Feather Lakes area, Mummy Range, upper Poudre Canyon, Rawah and Medicine Bow mountains) and many varieties of wildflowers in this tundra area. From the ridge, the trail swings back to the south, drops downhill, and ends at the Elkhorn Baldy Road (FDR-517). This should be your turnaround point. Another option would be to drive two cars and park one at the North Lone Pine Trailhead. If you do this, continue to the southeast along the Elkhorn Baldy Road for about 0.3 mile, where you can intercept the North Lone Pine Trail heading down the east side of Middle Bald Mountain and North Bald Mountain. Either way, the round-trip hike will consist of about 8.2 miles.
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