West Branch Trailhead

Overview

Located in Roosevelt National Forest, this TH provides primary access to the main trail network of the Rawah Wilderness, in the southern portion of the Medicine Bow Range, via the West Branch Trail.
Access is seasonally limited and is tied directly to when the Laramie River Road is closed by snow. Typically the road is closed from mid Fall to late Spring.

Facilities-Large, unpaved parking lot / restrooms / no water. Water is seasonally available at Tunnel Campground, a short distance south of the TH.

Directions

From Fort Collins - Take Hwy 287 (College Ave in town) north to what's known as Ted's Place (Gas station/conveience store). Turn left onto Colo Hwy 14, heading west for approx. 51 miles to the junction with Larimer Co RD 103 (Laramie River Road). Turn right (north) onto LCR 103, following it for 6.8 miles to the TH.

Destinations

Notable peaks accessable from this trailhead would include:
Clark Peak - 12,951
Lewis Peak (FKA Sickle Mountain) - 12,654
South Rawah Peak - 12,644
Snowbank Peak - 12,522
North Rawah Peak - 12,473
Cameron Peak - 12,127
Dodad Peak - 12,046

The West Branch Trail leads into southern portions of the Rawah Wilderness, following the West Branch of the Laramie River. The trail connects with the Camp Lakes Trail, the Rawah Trail and eventually, the Blue Lake Trail.

Camping Options

Tunnel Campground is located just south of the TH. Primitive, dispersed camping is also permitted in some areas along the Laramie River Road.
Nearest services- Very small store with gasoline 34 miles north at Woods Landing, Wyoming. See Zimmerman Lake TH for nearest services in the Poudre Canyon.

Maps

Arapaho and Roosevelt NF
Backcountry Adventure Map for Colorado’s Rawah Wilderness

USGS Quads
Clark Peak
Rawah Lakes

Red Tape

No permits or fees at this time. See Rawah Wilderness Regulations for details.

Images

View West Branch Trailhead Image Gallery - 6 Images