| About Arapaho National Forest |
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| Keyser Ridge Trail |
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Beginning Elevation:
10,600 Feet
Difficulty:
Easy to Moderate
Elevation Gain:
1,000 Feet
Ending Elevation:
11,600 Feet
Length, One-way:
3.5 Miles
Trail Number:
14
Usage:
Light
USGS Maps:
Byers Peak
Reservation:
No
Season:
Summer - Fall
From Granby, Travel west on Highway 40 approximately 14 miles to County Road 3/Forest Road 139. Travel south on Road 3/139 approximately 17 miles, passing Williams Fork Reservoir. continue on Road 139 approximately 1 mile beyond the fork with Road 138. Turn south on Forest Road 140 and continue about 8 miles to the Keyser Ridge Trailhead parking. Note: a high clearance vehicle is needed to travel Road 140.
Location Information
A high-clearance vehicle is needed to access the Keyser Ridge Trailhead. The Keyser Ridge Trail begins on an old logging road which continues for slightly over one mile along the ridge top. The trail drops slightly from the ridge and becomes a single track. The hiker now enters a wooded area, however, some openings occur where logging took place in the past. There is one short, steep section, but soon the hiker emerges out onto the ridgeline where the trail grades become moderate again. The Byers Peak Wilderness Area begins here where the trail reaches this narrow ridgeline. The trail continues along the side of the ridge until a saddle is reached overlooking Lake Evelyn. The Keyser Ridge Trail enables the hiker to start their journey from a high elevation point. The ridge can be quickly reached, offering panoramic views. The ridge is quite exposed after reaching the wilderness boundary. Keyser Ridge Trail eventually ascends out of timberline near the saddle overlooking Lake Evelyn. Here the traveler has many choices of routes to follow. Travelers can descend down Kinney Creek Trail, #22, follow the St. Louis Divide Trail to descend down Keyser Creek headwaters, or lastly, continue southward on the St. Louis Divide Trail.
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