Trail: Poudre River Trail Corridor
National Park: Poudre River Trail Corridor, Inc.
Features: Archeo/paleo/historical
Geological feature(s)
River(s)
Activities: Bicycling (any)
Bicycling - Mountain
Dogs - On leash
Pedestrian - Walking/Hiking/Running
Roller/Inline Skating
Elevation: 4653 ft
Desc: Stretching between the cities of Greeley and Windsor, the Poudre River Trail gives one a sense of what makes the high plains of Colorado special. The 10-foot wide concrete trail meanders over 20 miles along the Cache la Poudre River in Northern Colorado, eventually to connect to trails further upstream in Ft. Collins and Rock Mountain National Park. It travels through riparian habitat, agricultural crops, and natural prairie. Wildlife is abundant along the river bottoms with opportunities to view and photograph wild turkeys, deer, bald eagles, pheasant, muskrats, and beaver. As one winds along the trail gazing west are the purple mountains in all their majesty, to the east are the fruited plains. Looking to the south, one can be witness to the states strong economy and growth and to the north are rich fields that inspired Horace Greeleys famous directive to ‘Go west young man, go west’.
The Poudre River Corridor is rich in geological and cultural history. The modern Cache la Poudre River got its start around 10 million years ago as all of Colorado, and surrounding areas were uplifted. Over time the river eroded the earths crust and formed the watersheds that play such an important role in Colorado. Bluffs along sections of the trail rise 200 feet above the waters edge creating a dramatic backdrop and exposing fossils and bones. The Kaplan-Hoover wayside exhibit, found in Windsor, is one the largest bison bone beds found and excavated in the last two years. The former Sharkstooth ski area got its name from the fossils found in the area.
Native Americans were the first to settle the area and use the river for shelter, water, and food. Fur traders used the waterway to trap beaver. The River actually got its name from a cache of ammunition stored by French Fur trappers along its banks. Settlers soon followed looking for land to grow crops and homestead. Agriculture became the livelihood of many creating the need for irrigation to water crops in the arid plains of Colorado. Visitors to the trail are still able to glimpse functional irrigation ditches, Parshall Flumes, and head gates that still stand today as a testament to the settlers dedication to make this arid land flourish and the continued importance of agriculture to the area. In 1996, Congress designated the Cache la Poudre River Corridor a National Heritage Area, the first one west of the Mississippi, due to the national significance the area played in developing water law, an extensive interpretive plan is being developed. Centennial Village Museum located in Greeley offers those who are interested the chance to learn more about the history of Weld County and the Cache la Poudre River.
The Trail offers many recreational opportunities for users of all ages and abilities. It is a popular place for quiet reflection, view wildlife, walk, bike, run, roller blade, spend time with family, and enjoy nature. One woman told of how her partially blind mother uses the trail because it provides an even surface that reflects light allowing her to be able maneuver the trail on her own offering her a sense of independence and self worth. Thanks to the hard work of board members, contributors, and volunteers the positive affects of this trail will be far-reaching and the project will become a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.
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