Date Hiked: July 21, 2023

Distance: 6.8 mi (RT)

Elevation Gain: 160 ft

Elevation Min/Max: 10,172 to 10,238 ft

Trailhead Lat/Long:

Managing Agency: National Park Service

Fee: None

Directions:

From Hwy 14 cutting through Poudre Canyon, about 4 ½ miles east of Cameron Pass, turn south onto Long Draw Road, a good dirt road, and follow it until it ends, 13 miles, at the La Poudre Pass Trailhead just outside the Rocky Mountain National Park boundary. 

Hike Description:

The northwest corner of Rocky Mountain National Park just south of Cameron Pass is a hidden gem. Not a lot of people visit this area, especially not tourists. The scenery is amazing but you do have to work for it. There are no roads in this section of the park, you walk in and keep walking. That being said, the Never Summer Mountains that straddle this area are magnificent. This is a great part of the park to do some backpacking but there are two great day hikes in this area. The Little Yellowstone Canyon hike is amazing and branches off from the Grand Ditch, or you can just hike the Grand Ditch for a flat hike with massive views. 

The Grand Ditch Trail starts at the La Poudre Pass Trailhead and enters the park. The Grand Ditch Trail is a dirt road, closed to the public, that follows the Grand Ditch, an irrigation ditch (built in 1934) that still brings water to farmers on the northern Colorado plains.  The Grand Ditch now provides a hiking highway to access the east side of the Never Summer Mountains in the park.  

The trail starts by crossing a flat wetland area with some ponds, and the headwaters of the Colorado River! The trail almost immediately enters a wooded area with views of high peaks towering over the trees in front of you. As the trail turns a few corners, the views open up. These views are looking down the valley that holds Little Yellowstone Canyon and the remains of Lulu City.  As you continue hiking, the views get grander and grander.

Depending on your tolerance for flat hiking...you may start wondering when you should turn around. A good spot is 3 miles up the Ditch at the Thunder Pass Trail junction just before a private residence, maintenance area. However, I insist that you go at least 2.5 miles to the point where Mount Richtofen comes into view, it will take your breath away. The views from this part of the hike are really tremendous and well worth the effort. 

When you turn around, you start the long walk back to the trailhead. It’s all views that you saw on the way in, but it won’t hurt to see them again.