La Poudre Pass, Mountain pass at Continental Divide in Rocky Mountains, Colorado.
La Poudre Pass is a mountain crossing at the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. The pass sits at about 3,100 meters elevation and contains a small lake that marks the headwaters of the Colorado River.
La Poudre Pass marks the northern boundary of Rocky Mountain National Park and the county line between Grand and Larimer counties. The Grand Ditch, a 26-kilometre diversion canal, crosses the pass to carry water from the Never Summer Mountains into the Cache la Poudre River, supplementing supply for cities east of the Rockies. A private gated road along the ditch serves its maintenance.
The ranger station at La Poudre Pass serves as an entry point to Rocky Mountain National Park, marking the boundary between Grand and Larimer counties.
Long Draw Road leads to the trailhead parking area and is typically open from late May through mid-October. The lot fills early on nice days, so arriving early helps secure a spot.
The pass is crossed by the Grand Ditch, a 26-kilometre diversion canal that carries water from the Never Summer Mountains into the Cache la Poudre River, feeding the cities east of the Rockies. A private gated maintenance road runs alongside it, and hikers share the pass with this waterworks.
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