Young Gulch Trail - Hiking trail near Fort Collins, Colorado, United States - Description

In the spring of 1919, the city of Fort Collins developed a property known as Young's Gulch, building a road and planting trees with the aid of the Forest Service. Little evidence of the original road remains, but the trail that resulted is currently known as Young Gulch.

The trail meanders up Young Gulch and Prairie Gulch, crossing the stream many times. The climb is very gradual and scenic with shrubs, juniper, ponderosa pine and Douglas fir along the hillside. After passing through a large meadow, the trail ascends for about another mile to end at the edge of private property overlooking the Stove Prairie Road. Please do not trespass.

Travel 11 miles northwest of Fort Collins on U.S. Highway 287 to Colorado Highway 14. Turn left on Co. 14, and travel 13 miles up the Poudre Canyon. At mile marker 109 just after passing the Ansel Watrous Campground, look for a Young Gulch sign on the left and a short dirt road leading to the parking lot and trailhead.