Grand Ditch Trail

Grand Ditch Trail is a same-trail out-and-back beside the historic Grand River Ditch. Follow a level, maintained dirt road along the canal from La Poudre Pass; the corridor is roughly 15 miles one way, so reaching its far end and returning is about 30 miles. The draw is the long waterworks corridor and its history, not a summit or loop.

The road is described as easy, but the complete return is a serious full-day distance at about 10,200 feet. Allow around 9 to 10 hours for the full route, with extra time if you want a slower pace or longer stops. If that is too much, make this a shorter out-and-back and turn around before the far end; there is no confirmed one-way exit for the whole corridor.

The Grand River Ditch, also called Specimen Ditch, first carried water across La Poudre Pass in 1890. It was extended south to Bear Creek in 1936. The ditch intercepts 11 headwater tributaries between May and September, diverting about 29 percent of Never Summer runoff on average. That water engineering has had a downstream effect too: research reports reduced flooding and lower peatland water levels in Kawuneeche Valley.

Start at La Poudre Pass Trailhead, at the end of Long Draw Road. The lot has room for about 12 vehicles and a vault toilet, but no potable water; treat any water from the ditch before drinking it. The trail enters Rocky Mountain National Park, where dogs are prohibited. The entire canal-top road is described as a hiking route, but agency pages do not spell out pedestrian permission for every maintenance-road segment. Confirm full-route access with the managing agencies before committing to the 30-mile version.