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Hewlett Gulch

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Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 3.7 (74)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. Poudre Park
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“Fun ride with multiple stream crossings and flowy singletrack. ”

Cody Terkhorn
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Map Key

8.0

Miles

12.9

KM

100%

Singletrack

6,805' 2,074 m

High

5,718' 1,743 m

Low

1,195' 364 m

Up

1,194' 364 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

24%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

This is the first bike friendly trail you come to in the Poudre Canyon, with only a 20+ minute drive from the edge of north Fort Collins. The trail gets far enough into the mountains that it has more tree cover and also is not as rocky as its hog back cousins like devils backbone. It has a plethora of stream crossings, is 100% singletrack, and pairs nicely with a ride on Dadd or Youngs gulch (also up the Poudre).

The primary drawback to its location is that it also has a lot of traffic and can get quite busy on weekends and later in the day. This however, shouldn't keep you from riding this great northern CO trail.

Need to Know

There are lots of creek crossings so don't wear your fancy pants and bring a change of cloths for the post ride festivities.

Description

From the parking lot you'll follow Hewlett Gulch along the stream that winds through, crossing it at least a dozen times. This climb is not steep and has a couple rocky areas which shouldn't be too difficult to navigate for an intermediate rider. At around 2 miles into the ride you'll come to a fork in the trail.

Taking the trail to the left introduces you to a set of switchbacks, followed by a nice tacky trail that rolls up and down. The trail will eventually bring you to the summit of the ride. From here it's all downhill, with lots of singletrack where you can really open her up a bit and fly.

You'll eventually reach the rock garden that posses the most difficult portion of the ride however going this direction it's a downhill garden and might pose a challenge to an intermediate rider. From here you'll return to the gulch and the burn out from the recent fires. The charcoaled trees have an erie beauty to them and if you lean up against them you'll end up bringing a little bit of it home with you. Eventually, you'll reach the fork and return back to the parking lot.

The other direction is the same only in reverse and the rock garden will be a Hike-A-Bike for many riders. The switchback section is fast, slow, fast, slow and hard to build a good rhythm. I prefer the clockwise route, but I will let you be the judge.

History & Background

This area has been hit by several fires in the years past and as such has a lot of black toothpicks for trees. It's actually beautiful although bittersweet.

Contacts

Local Club: Overland Mountain Bike Club

Jan 10, 2024: Mountain Biking in Northern Colorado this Winter

Land Manager: USFS - Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Office

Shared By:

Cody Terkhorn
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 74 votes

#1

in Poudre Park

#284

Overall
  3.7 from 74 votes
5 Star
19%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
27%
2 Star
11%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Poudre Park

#92

in Colorado

#284

Overall
33 Views Last Month
16,399 Since Jun 10, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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Photos

Creek Wheelies! On the Hewlett Gulch Trail.
May 6, 2015 near Laporte, CO
Wild Flowers and burn out in the background
Jun 14, 2013 near Laporte, CO
Scenic outlook for a nice view. Small trail off of the main to some cool rocks. Lunch time!
Jul 16, 2017 near Bellvue, CO
Steep rocky drop! This is not the rock garden at the NE end of the loop.
Mar 17, 2018 near Bellvue, CO
My four legged companion enjoying the break and sights before we continue.
Jun 13, 2013 near Laporte, CO
post Hewlett Fire and the regrowth.
Jun 14, 2013 near Laporte, CO

10 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 64 days ago
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Check-Ins

Jun 12, 2024
Sam Alam
This trail is super washed out in a lot of areas. The lower area is fun and challenging for a beginner like me but the lollipop is definitely a black — 1h 45m
Sep 11, 2023
Brad B
Fun trail, overgrown in a few places, full suspension highly recommended 4.4mi — 1h 10m
Jun 17, 2022
Jack Huun
Jun 7, 2022
Amalia Mason
Splish-splash :)
Oct 24, 2021
Mark Weaver
great trail 8mi
Oct 17, 2021
Eric Newman
Aug 3, 2021
Timmy Kessel
Super wet and rainy. Tall grass.
Jul 2, 2021
Jon Badsmith
trail in great condition. no issues 6mi

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