Hewlett Gulch Trail

Hewlett Gulch is one of those trails that feels lived-in, because it was: you start by crossing the Poudre on a bridge just past Poudre Park, then follow an old roadbed north up Gordon Creek, and within a half mile you're walking past the stone-and-timber foundations of a vanished little community. The trail hops the creek again and again on single-log stringer bridges — no railings, easy in low water, a real balancing act (or a wet-footed wade) in the high flows of early summer — while the gulch narrows and cool water keeps you company through the shady lower stretch.

About two miles up, the trail forks into its namesake loop, and the walking opens up: go counterclockwise and you'll climb out of the creek onto a south-facing hillside of yucca, prickly pear, and ponderosa, then wander a high prairie-and-juniper bench with long views before the switchbacks bring you back down. It's a warm, exposed, friendly ramble — but honest cautions apply. This is rattlesnake and poison-ivy country, it runs through old burn scar where storms can turn the creek to flash flood fast, and the upper loop is open enough that afternoon lightning is a real hazard. Carry water, watch the sky, and give yourself the morning.

Trail Facts

Getting There

From Ted's Place, drive 10.5 miles up CO-14. Just past Poudre Park, watch the north (right) side of the road for a bridge spanning the Poudre River — it leads to the Hewlett Gulch trailhead. Cross the bridge and follow the road uphill to the paved parking lot. Toilets are at the trailhead, but no water — bring your own. The lot is small and heavily used and doesn't fit stock trailers well (a couple of pull-outs on the access road take small-to-medium rigs); come early and turn to face the highway before it fills.

Know Before You Go

• Log-stringer creek crossings. Gordon Creek is crossed many times on single logs without railings — simple in low water, but unsafe or impossible to keep dry in the high flows of early summer.
• Rattlesnakes & poison ivy. Both are common in this warm, south-facing canyon — watch your step and stay on trail, especially on the sunny loop.
• Flash flooding & burn scar. Fires (including the 2012 Hewlett Fire) and the 2013 flood reshaped this gulch; storms upstream can flash-flood the creek fast, even under clear skies overhead.
• Lightning up high. The upper loop crosses open prairie and hillside — exposed to afternoon thunderstorms, so start early and be off the top by midday.
• Dogs on voice control. Required at all times; this is a busy trail shared with mountain bikers and other dogs, so keep yours close and responsive.
• Bikes yes, e-bikes no. Bicycles are allowed and the trail sees heavy bike use; e-bikes and all motorized transport are prohibited.
• Water & winter. Creek water is available along the lower gulch (treat it) but there's none up on the loop; the trail is open year-round, though the canyon and crossings turn icy — traction devices and poles help.