Poudre River Trail

Quick Ride Summary: May 6th, 2009. 40.35miles round trip. Elevation change 200 feet each direction. For a 20 mile trail, that is virtually flat. Weather sunny, temp. mid 70's, wind 10-12mph from the west and then the southwest. Trail surface is smooth concrete; much of it brand new.

The trail travels through extremes. In some portions you are isolated and riding through remote ranch lands and in others you are riding on the sidewalks of subdivisions.

The website for the Poudre River Trail may be accessed by clicking the title of this article. The trail website indicates that the trail is still under construction, but that is no longer true. The trail is complete.

As usual, pictures may be double-clicked to see larger copies.

(Editor's note: Actually I tested this feature and found that not all pictures could be expanded. It appears to be because I added some of the pictures in groups rather than individually and this disabled the links. I won't make that mistake in the future)

I started on the east end of the trail in Greeley, Colorado at the Island Grove Regional Park. The park is located at 11th and D streets in Greeley. With some exceptions, the trail follows the Cache La Poudre River, a primary source of water for the ranches, farms and cities of northern Colorado.

The first mile or so, the trail and river move through an industrial area on the south bank. Many trail users avoid this section by parking at one of the upstream access points.

At mile 2 the trail moves through a series of lakes. Most have been created by sand and gravel operations which continue at various points along the river creating sites for future lakes.

At mile 4.2 is a railroad crossing. Although trains are not frequent, this is not a spur or siding.

The railroad crossing is immediately followed by two the five cattle guards installed on the trail. As you can see from the picture, there are narrow areas made for dogs and bikes to cross but are too narrow for trikes. I usually walk the trike across these because riding across at any speed breaks spokes on my wheels.

Cell service is very good in this area. This rancher has obviously upgraded from his travel trailer to a motor home with the proceeds from the Cell Tower in his yard.

There is also a popular dog training area in this section of the trail.

The further west you travel the larger the river gets. Even with spring runoff, much of the water is siphoned off for irrigation and other water needs all along its length.

Mile 7.2 brings a welcome sight. A toilet.

These northern Colorado trails also have another amenity that I have not found anywhere else. Solar powered air stations. You push a button and the compressor comes to life and you can air up a soft tire, etc. Very Nice! One thing that is not found for long stretches of the trail is water. So bring plenty to drink.

Mile 8 brings warnings of poison ivy and also areas of falling rock. This is an area with residential developments to the south, but still very picturesque.

The Poudre Learing Center is at about mile 9. Besides the buildings, the center stretches over many acres where groups are taken around the area and introduced to the flora and fona of the region by the trained staff. It seems to be a popular destination.

This portion is in ranch country and the trail cuts through the middle of the Orr Ranch. Riding through the ranch I came across a young cow that had managed to get out ot the ranchland and onto the trail and was desperately trying to get back into the fields. I called the ranch management folks and they sent a cowboy to return the cow to the herd; I rode on.

Miles 11 through about 13 pass through and along the edge of land owned by the Eastman Kodak Company. They have several large facilities that cover most of a mile and are major contributors of parks and trails in the Windsor area. During this section of the ride I came across a small snake crossing the trail. I mention this because I do not like snakes and tend to measure all rides in the number of snake sightings. This was only a One Snake Ride.

At mile 15 the trail leaves the river (a golf course is in the way) and goes through Windsor residential neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are all around lakes. The area is called Pelican Lakes and may pelicans were on the water and in the air.

Mile 16.25 brings you to the Eastman Pavillion, a park, playground and picnic facility where I usually take a break. Restrooms, water and electricity are among the amenities. I will have my lunch here on the way back.

At about mile 17.5 the trail passes though an active mining operation and the trail is appropriately signed.

This is followed by more lakes and some medium to upscale neighborhoods.

Finally the trail becames rural again and at mile 20.35 the trail deadends into a fence. Perched on top of one of the fence posts is a wooden owl.

It is the tradition of the Poudre River Trail to pat the owl on the head before turning around and heading back down the trail. I did so, and then rode the 20+ miles in the reverse order.