The Cache La Poudre River Trail follows the eponymous river 9.1 miles down a wide open valley to the Park's NW boundary near the Corral Creek Trailhead in the Comanche Peak Wildernes. Also accessible from the Corral Creek Trailhead is Mirror Lake, a remote alpine lake in the Mummy Range (11,015'). Both trails offer excellent wildlife viewing, solitude and big open spaces.

The Poudre River flows a little over 12 miles before funneling into Poudre Canyon, which is about 60 miles long

When alarmed, elk raise their heads, open their eyes wide, move stiffly and rotate their ears to locate the threat

Where not visible, the cross-country route is intuitively followed along the river's path

The valley's rich grasses and willow thickets are prime feeding habitat for elk and moose

What begins as a trickle from Poudre Lake becomes a torrent near the Mummy Pass Trail intersection

In mid-summer, cows gather in large herds while bulls run solo or form small bachelor groups

Moose favor marsh and aquatic plants, but will consume pine cones, stripped bark and leaves in more wooded environments

High points on the route offer good views of the river's distinct path

Early European settlers first believed elk were moose, and thus used the British word for moose - which is Elk!

Elk scat is common all along the Cache La Poudre River Trail, and in some cases even helps clarify the route

Many animals share the established route, as these tracks attest

The Cache La Poudre River drains east to join the South Platte River near Greeley, CO

At around 7.25 miles, the trail emerges from thick timber for another long, open stretch by the river

Endless views down the Poudre valley

Hague Creek near the Cache La Poudre - Mummy Pass Trail split

A young buck postures off trail on the way to Mirror Lake

A thinning subalpine forest indicates the final approach to Mirror Lake

Turning off the Cache La Poudre trail towards Mirror Lake takes you away from the valley and into a pine forest

Mirror Lake - accessible from the Corral Creek Trailhead as well as the much longer Cache La Poudre Trail