Greyrock Mountain Trail

Greyrock is the granite dome that stands over the mouth of Poudre Canyon northwest of Fort Collins, and the loop to its summit is the canyon's best day hike: a bridge over the Cache la Poudre, a choice of a steep trail or a meadow trail up, and a final scramble onto the rock to a small pond hidden in the summit. It is 7.5 miles with about 2,000 feet of gain and a summit that takes a little route-finding.

From the trailhead, a footbridge crosses the Poudre and the trail climbs a side canyon for about a mile to the junction where the loop splits. The Greyrock Trail, left, is the direct route: steep, rocky, and 3 miles to the upper junction below the dome. The Meadows Trail, right, is longer and gentler, climbing through the meadows and the scars of the 2012 High Park Fire to the same junction.

From the upper junction, the summit trail climbs three quarters of a mile up the dome. The route weaves between boulders and slabs, marked by cairns and paint, with easy Class 2 scrambling and a couple of spots where hands help; it is easy to lose and people have spent nights up here after missing it on the way down. The top has a shallow pond in a granite basin and a view over the canyon, the plains, and Longs Peak on a clear day. Return by the other half of the loop.

From Fort Collins, drive 11 miles northwest on US 287 to Ted's Place, then west on Colorado 14 up Poudre Canyon about 9 miles to the Greyrock lot on the left (south) side of the road; steps lead down to a footbridge over the Poudre, and the trail starts across it. The lot holds about 39 cars and fills by 8 AM on spring and fall weekends, with overflow along the highway shoulder. No fee or permit. There is a toilet at the trailhead.

Dogs must be on a hand-held leash, a Forest Service rule here; the summit slabs are hard on them. Horses are prohibited, and camps and fires must be 200 feet from water and the trail. The scramble and the route-finding on the dome are why this trail is not marked kid-friendly here, though older kids who scramble enjoy it. Carry two liters; the Poudre is the only water and it is at the bottom. Rattlesnakes are common on the lower trail. Mark the route on the summit rock as you go up, and follow it back. Fort Collins is 30 minutes away, and the Fort Collins hikes page lists Horsetooth and the other Poudre trails.