Blue Lake
Trailhead Blue Lake Trailhead (#959) Drive there
Blue Lake Trailhead (#959) the Forest Service's write-up
The first two miles of the trail follows an old wagon trail crossing footbridges over Joe Wright Creek and Fall Creek before entering the Rawah Wilderness . The trail continues to climb toward Blue Lake and Hang Lake. Blue Lake, which is five miles from the trailhead, is a very popular destination or turn-around point. Both lakes are surrounded and protected by a ¼-mile camping closure zone. A short 2.4 mile climb to the north past Blue Lake and a descent to a junction with West Branch trail (#960) allow easy access to Island and Carey Lakes, the Rawah Trail (#961), Twin Crater Lakes, and Grassy Pass. Backpackers often arrange shuttles, entering by the Blue Lake trail and leaving via the West Branch or Rawah trails. The Blue Lake trailhead accommodates approximately approximately 14 vehicles. PLEASE NOTE: This trail was heavily burned during the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire. Now the trail passes through both heavily impacted areas of burned trees and areas that showcase the common mosaic of burned and unburned forest found after a fire. The fire did not reach the alpine tundra.
Download Blue Lake Trail description . (.pdf)
You can find more information on the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers website .
Sawmill Creek
Sawmill Creek is primarily used in the wintertime. This drainage offers unique skiing for most ability levels. Park at the Blue Lake Trailhead and walk 100 yards west along Colorado Highway 14 and over the highway bridge (watch for cars and snowplows). Do not park directly in front of the trail or you may be ticketed, or plowed in by the snowplow. Follow the old logging road 1.5 miles into a giant clear-cut. This area is good for skiing and snowshoeing only if there is adequate snow - otherwise there are logs and stumps. The trail forks here. For the more adventurous, continue west across the clear cut and follow faint old roads and trails towards timberline. The left fork continues about 1.5 miles, and the right fork about 2 miles as the Sawmill Creek drainage continues to steepen. Near timberline pick your way up into either the north or south cirques of Sawmill Creek. While the skiing is fantastic up here, so is the avalanche danger.
Directions: Travel 11 miles northwest of Fort Collins on U.S. Highway 287 to Colorado Highway 14. Turn left on CO 14, and travel 54 miles west to the Blue Lake trailhead parking lot on the right, located across the highway from Forest Road 156, Long Draw Road.
Latlong: 40.579752; -105.855293
Restrictions <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/specialplaces/?cid=fsm91_058248">Wilderness Regulations apply</a>: <ul><li>Dogs must be on a hand held leash.</li><li>No motorized or mechanized equipment.</li><li>Camps, campfires, and stock, where allowed, at least 200 feet from water and trails.</li><li>Group size limited to 12 people or stock animals combined.</li><li><strong>Closure Regulation</strong>s: ¼ mile closure zone around Blue and Hang Lakes. Alpine area closure, stoves only above 10,800 feet elevation (tree line).</li><li><strong>Stock and pack animals are prohibited</strong> between May 15th and September 15th. Between September 16th and May 14th overnight stock use is prohibited.</li></ul>
Long Draw Parking (Winter) Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up
In snowy months, Long Draw Road is closed. But, this is a popular area for snowmobiles. Be aware that other winter activities take place here, including cross country skiing and snowshoeing.