Little Beaver Creek Trail

Little Beaver Creek Trail (#948) is a long-distance hiking route in the Comanche Peak Wilderness of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests (Colorado). It’s accessed from the Canyon Lakes Ranger District area, west of Fort Collins.

The trail’s main corridor follows along Little Beaver Creek: from Jacks Gulch Campground you head west on Old Flowers Road to the Little Beaver Creek Connector Trail, then hike south about a mile to cross the creek and continue west toward Beaver Park and a junction with Flowers Trail.

From the Beaver Park junction, Little Beaver Creek Trail climbs sharply uphill for a little more than a mile before intersecting Upper Dadd Gulch Trail (#938). The route is mostly within the Comanche Peak Wilderness.

For a loop, you can reach Beaver Park from Jacks Gulch using either Flowers Trail or Little Beaver Trail, then return via the other trail.

There’s also an access option from County Road 63E: start by hiking the Fish Creek Trail about 2 miles, use a ~½-mile connector down to Little Beaver Creek a few hundred yards west of the stream crossing, and meet the trail coming south from Jacks Gulch.

Expect a steep, rugged hike that can turn into moderate-to-challenging work depending on direction, with steep, sharp ascents.

Trail #948 has a peak elevation listed at 9,500 ft. Wilderness rules apply: dogs must be on a hand-held leash; no motorized or mechanized equipment; camps/campfires/stock (where allowed) at least 200 ft from water and trails; and group size is limited to 12 people or stock animals combined. Certified weed-free hay is required for stock.

Surface is dirt, and the route is shared with horseback riders (bicycling is not allowed). The trail is designed as a short hiking-specific member route, with three member parts in the route system.

More information: Map, Visitor information, Visitor information