Zimmerman South Trail

This is the top end of the Zimmerman Trail — the short southern leg that starts already high, right where Crown Point Road runs out at the Comanche Peak Wilderness boundary. You step off at better than 10,600 feet, so the air is thin from the first stride, and for the first two miles the trail winds through dense, mature forest on a well-worn tread. Then the trees thin, the sky opens, and the last half mile spills into alpine meadows stitched with little rock cairns — keep an eye out for elk here, and for wildflowers by the armload in mid- to late summer.

Be honest with yourself about the country you're in: this whole slope burned in the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire, so watch uphill for leaning and falling trees, mind the hidden stump holes, and know that even a small rainstorm can send a flash flood down the drainage well below you. Water is scarce — the one reliable trickle is the snowmelt headwaters of West Fork Sheep Creek, crossing the trail around mile 2.2 (treat it before you drink). At mile 2.5 the trail tops out at the Flowers Trail, your gateway to a whole web of high alpine routes. Bring layers and watch the afternoon sky — lightning finds these exposed meadows fast.

Trail Facts

Getting There

From Ted's Place, drive west on CO-14 for 26.5 miles to the Pingree Park Road (at mile marker 96.1). Cross the Cache la Poudre River and go 4.3 miles to Forest Road 139 (Crown Point Road). Turn right and follow it 18.8 miles to its end at the Comanche Peak Wilderness boundary, where the Zimmerman Trailhead sits. There are no toilets and no stock water at the trailhead, but there's some parking for stock trailers with a pull-through & turn-around. Crown Point Road isn't plowed in winter, so plan on late June at the earliest, once the road opens.

Know Before You Go

• Burn country. This slope burned in the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire — watch uphill for falling and leaning trees, step carefully around hidden stump holes, and expect rockslides and flash flooding even after light rain (it can hit well downstream).
• Wilderness rules. You're in the Comanche Peak Wilderness: no bikes, no wheeled conveyances, no motorized use, and group size is capped at 12 people and stock combined.
• Start high, breathe thin. The trailhead is already above 10,600 ft and the trail climbs to 11,178 ft — short on paper, but take the altitude seriously.
• Water is scarce. The only dependable source is the snowmelt trickle at the West Fork Sheep Creek crossing near mile 2.2 — carry plenty and treat what you gather.
• Dogs on leash. Dogs must be on a hand-held leash with hikers (voice control is allowed with stock).
• Exposed up top. The final half mile is open alpine meadow — beautiful for elk and wildflowers, but get off the high ground before afternoon lightning builds.
• Seasonal access. Crown Point Road isn't plowed; the trailhead is typically reachable only from late June through fall.