 | | From County Road 96, the South Saint Vrain Trail #909 climbs west along South Saint Vrain Creek, sometimes following the creek quite closely and sometimes circling away from it. About two miles in, the trail follows an old road for a little while, then turns off to the right (north) and climbs to avoid private property. At the top, it crosses an old road with non-Forest Service signs to the Stapp Lakes. The Stapp Lakes are on private property with no public access.Soon after dropping back down, the South Saint Vrain Trail passes a cut-off to the Sourdough Trail on the right (north). In another quarter mile, the Sourdough Trail comes in from the left (south) across a bridge over South Saint Vrain Creek. The Sourdough Trail runs together with the South Saint Vrain Trail for a mile, then takes a turn off to the right (north), after the trails leave the main creek. The South Saint Vrain Trail continues gently along a little ridge for another mile to an intersection with the Waldrop North Ski Trail.The Waldrop Trail is a ski trail that does not have a good footway for hiking. The trail drops down and crosses a creek, then the Brainard Lake Cutoff Trail forks left (south). It leads to the outlet of Brainard Lake in 0.6 miles. In half a mile, another ski trail turns off to the left (south). The South Saint Vrain Trail crosses a meadow for a quarter mile to reach the road. It hits the Mitchell Lake Trailhead spur road off the Brainard Lake Road on the north edge of the swamp along Mitchell Creek.The trail has been rated easy to moderate with moderate usage. Elevation ranges from 8,700 to 10,400 feet. Depending on how far you wish to hike, a round trip can be anywhere from 6.2 to 12.8 miles long. |
| |  | | | Facilities: There are no facilities available along South Saint Vrain Trail. Reservations: Reservations are not needed or accepted to hike South Saint Vrain Trail #909. Best Time To Visit: South Saint Vrain Trail is open year-round, but peak season is May through November. Fees: There is an entrance fee for driving into the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Parking fees may be charged. Accessibility: This area is not handicap accessible. Rules: Unknown Directions: To get to South Saint Vrain Trail #909 from Boulder: Take CO State Highway to County Road 96. The east end of the South Saint Vrain Trail is just across the bridge on County Road 96 from CO 72, 15 miles north of Nederland and seven miles south of the intersection of CO 7 and 72, east of the Tahosa Boy Scout Camp. The west end is just north of Brainard Lake on the Mitchell Creek Trailhead spur road, five miles up the Brainard Lake Road that turns off CO 72 just north of Ward. | | |
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| | | | Address | | Boulder Ranger District | | 2140 Yarmouth Ave | | Boulder, Colorado 80301 |
| | | Phone | | General: (303) 541-2500 | | TTY: (970) 498-2727 | |
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