Ft Collins - Big South Trail (lower) - aborted

We got back from Lake Powell and I immediately set the plan to tackle the Big South Trail on the Upper part of the Poudre River.  The Big South Trail is split in two a lower part which is about a 14 miles round trip and the upper which can be as short as five miles, but can also be extended into a multi-day backpacking trip if one desires.  The downside to the upper Poudre River, State Forest, and Routt Wilderness trails is they are 2-ish hour drives from home.  Four hours on the road can make for a long day.

I got up early on Wednesday, July 1 and headed up to the trailhead.  It looked like it was going to be a wonderful day, no clouds or wind nor any forecast for them, and temperatures in the upper 70's, low 80's.  I easily found the trailhead and started up the trail, following the river.

Big South TH

Early on Big South Trail

It had rained quite a bit the night before, so all the vegetation was wet and the trail a little slippery, but nothing I was concerned about.  I travelled along the river for quite a while, sometimes on the river bank, sometimes up and off, then back down to the river.  The river was quite active.

A calmer part of the river

A little rougher stretch

Off the river a bit

On the way down, I met some folks that mentioned there were some kayakers on the river, but I didn't see any.  However, I did meet them at the trailhead after they had pulled from the river.  They are brave souls.

The wildflowers were out in abundance.  I caught a few with the macro setting on my camera. 

After crossing a creek on a bridge I came to another creek that had no bridge.  I wonder how the forest service decides what to bridge and what not to.

To Bridge

or not to bridge

At about 4 miles I took my first break for a quick snack and then back on the trail, then meandered up a nice part of the trial.

However, soon after leaving this beautiful section, I was headed back down to the river bank when I stepped on a rock wrong and twisted my left ankle.  Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.  Luckily, I had high topped boots so I didn't turn the ankle as far as I might have; however, it was bad enough and I was far enough from the trailhead that I decided to turn and head back.  I will try this trail again soon.

Here are the statistics for what I was able to accomplish.

Overall Track Statistics for track Ft Collins - Big South Lower - attempt #1

 Length 8.420 miles

 Start Elevation - 8435.14 feet

 Maximum Elevation - 9151.97 feet

 Minimum Elevation - 8353.81 feet

 Date of Hike - Jul 01, 2015

 Start Time - 08:41 AM

 End Time - 12:49 PM

 Total Duration -     4:07 hours:min

 Total Ascent - 1653.74 feet

 Total Descent - 1735.07 feet

 Net Ascent - -81.33 feet

 Maximum Grade - 15.76%

 Average Speed -  2.99 mph

 Maximum Ascent over Mile - 386.98 feet

 Maximum Speed over Mile -  3.79 mph

 Maximum Gain over Mile (%) -  5.22%