Killpecker Trail

Killpecker starts quietly, in a small gravel pull-out on Deadman Road just across from the North Fork Poudre Campground, and heads straight uphill into a mature tangle of lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir. For the first mile and a half the creek that gives the trail its name runs alongside you — two easy crossings, the sound of water, cool shade — but underfoot it's a different story: the tread is wide, bare, and loaded with loose rock that shifts on the steeper pitches. This is a trail that asks for sturdy boots and a little patience, and it's honest about who it's for — motorcycles and mountain bikes (e-bikes included) share this tread, so expect company and step aside on blind corners.

Above the creek the trail leaves the water behind — a spring near mile two is your last reliable drink, so top off before the upper 2.5 dry miles. From here it crosses Killpecker Road (FDR-300) three times as it climbs the northwest shoulder of Middle Bald Mountain, past logged-over clearings and dispersed campsites. If you've got the legs, a short off-trail scramble to the summit trades effort for a full-circle payoff: the Mummy Range, upper Poudre Canyon, and the Rawah and Medicine Bow peaks, ringed by tundra wildflowers. The trail itself tops out and drops to a quiet end at Bald Mountain Road. Come between mid-June and fall — Deadman Road is gated in winter, and snow lingers up high well into June, so pack traction early in the season and keep an eye on the afternoon sky above treeline.

Trail Facts

Getting There

From Ted's Place, drive north on US-287 for 10.5 miles to “The Forks” at Livermore, turn left, and follow the Red Feather Lakes Road (CR-74E) into the community of Red Feather Lakes. Just past the Pot Belly Restaurant, turn left onto unpaved Deadman Road (CR-86) and continue 6.5 miles to the trailhead on the south (left) side of the road — directly across from the North Fork Poudre Campground sign, about 2.5 miles past the North Lone Pine trailhead. Parking is only a small pull-out (room for 4–5 cars, or one horse trailer and truck); stock riders will find more room across from the North Lone Pine trailhead or at the FR-300 junction a ¼ mile beyond it. Seasonal toilets at the adjacent North Fork Poudre Campground; no water at the trailhead. Deadman Road is closed and unplowed in winter.

Know Before You Go

• Shared, motorized trail. Killpecker is open to motorcycles and mountain bikes (e-bikes included) — step aside on blind corners and expect company on summer weekends.
• Loose footing. The tread is wide and bare with lots of loose rock and debris; it's hard on ankles and genuinely difficult for horses, especially on the steep climbs.
• Water runs out. Killpecker Creek keeps you company the lower 1.5 miles and a spring near mile two is the last reliable source — the upper 2.5 miles are dry, so carry enough and treat any creek water.
• Three road crossings. The trail crosses Killpecker Road (FDR-300) three times; at the first, jog left/southeast downhill about 100 yards to the carsonite marker to pick the tread back up.
• Summit detour. A short off-trail scramble up Middle Bald Mountain earns panoramic views (Mummy Range, Rawah & Medicine Bow ranges) and tundra wildflowers — watch the afternoon sky for lightning above treeline.
• Dogs on voice control. Dogs are welcome but must be under voice control at all times.
• Season & snow. Deadman Road (CR-86) is gated in winter, and deep snow can linger on the trail until mid-June — bring traction late into spring.