Mount McConnel (WØC/FR-Ø88), part of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, is located about 25 miles (40 km) north-west of Fort Collins, CO. The mountain is within the Roosevelt National Forest in the Cache La Poudre Canyon. The trail up to the summit consists of two overlapping loops.

1. William Kreutzer Nature Trail and (#936)
2. Mount McConnel Summit Trail (#992)

The Summit Trail splits off the Nature Trail at t it’s highest point and loops over the ridge and finally re-joins the Nature Trail making it an easy and enjoyable 4.23 miles (6.8 km) hike.

Trailhead: 6612 ft / 2015 m
Summit: 8020 ft / 2444 m
Elev. gain: 1408 ft / 429 m
Roundtrip: 4.23 mi / 6.8 km

Compare this summit with my other activated summits

How to get there:
Take US287 N from Fort Collins towards Wyoming. Go west  at Ted’s Place on CO14.

About 24 miles into the Canyon turn left into the Mountain Park Campground where you will find about five parking spaces. There is an bulletin board right at the parking lot with information, regulations and a map. It seems that the board was relocated at some point in time. The label You Are Here on the map is certainly not were you are. Keep that in mind. You have to go uphills towards the campground where the trail-head is located, despite of what the sign says. Alternative parking can be found just after the bridge alongside the road (facing downhills – on the side of the river).

Parkinglot/Trailhead

View Larger Map

Red Tape:
The National Forest requires a day use fee of $5.00. Dogs are required to be leashed.

The Ascent:
The trail  leaves the Mountain Park Day Use Area at the east end of the campground. I went up Kreutzer Nature Trail (#992). The trail climbs gradually up the south face through Ponderosa pines and Douglas firs. It is a well established trail with several interpretative signs along its way. After about 3/4 of a mile (1.2 km), the Summit Trail splits off and you will get to a quite spectacular overview of Poudre Canyon. Following the trail will bring you very close to some cliffs and several really nice overlooks. Shortly after entering the Cache la Poudre Wilderness (there is a sign), the trail forks again. You have to take the right fork to get to the near summit (approx. 0.2 mi/500m), the left fork continues the Summit Trail (going down to the river again).

The Summit:
The trail ends at the base of some large rock outcroppings where you will experience spectacular views into the Mummy Range of the Rocky Mountains.

The available rocks and trees/tree-stumps provided ample and comfortable space for my equipment. Setting it up was a breeze and my signal got out well.

After finishing my eighth QSO, I turned off the radio and enjoyed the gorgeous views, the warm sun and the solitude. After an hour or so, another hiker stumbled onto the summit… an RF engineer from Florida who was vacationing in Colorado. After a little chat, he went back down and I packed up my equipment, leaving this place as well.

The Descent:
At the fork, I turned south continuing on the Summit Trail which descends back into the Poudre Canyon through very a scenic landscape. The trail is not as well established as on the ascent, but keeping an eye on the stone cairns will help you find the way just fine. The descent is longer, steeper and rockier as well, providing several opportunities for panoramic views over  the Poudre Canyon. It finally joins the Nature Trail again before going down a gulch and emerging east of the bridge leading to the campground.

Some video impressions:
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY7SjK-mvrw

If you would like to leave questions or comments, please do so through Youtube.

Update: Read the trip report of my second activation of Mt. McConnel

 

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!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and bold mountaineers... there are no old-bold mountaineers. Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required - enjoy!