Keyser Ridge Trail #19

Do you and your pooch enjoy being surrounded by huge aspens and pine trees in the Arapaho and Roosevelt Forests of the Colorado Rocky Mountains? Nestled in the Byers Peak Wilderness Area, the Keyser Ridge Trail #19 is a dog furiendly out and back 7-mile round trip trek from the Keyser Ridge Trailhead to the St. Louis Divide Trail #17 and back. 

To get to the trailhead, follow Keyser Road (Forest Road 139) to Forest Road 140 in Parshall, Colorado until you get to the end of 140. There is a good-sized parking area there, but there are no restrooms, water, or any other amenities. Be sure to bring your own H20 and baggies to clean up after your canine kid. The Keyser Ridge Trailhead is not marked, but you can tell where it begins as a large path for both motorized and non-motorized recreation off the barking lot. 

The entire trail is a steady climb of about 1000 feet to 11,600 feet where you'll have a panoramic view of the Gore Range, Williams Fork Range, Indian Peaks, Never Summer Range, and the Vasquez Mountains. You can also see several glacial lakes and creeks, as well as valleys and gorges that will amaze you with their beauty. Make sure you and your canine kid take some selfies so you can share them. Take care not to disturb the wildlife and you can get some pawesome pics of some elk, deer, marmots, sheep, and even some moose. 

As you and Fido hike back to the trailhead, you and your pupster will be going downhill, but don’t go so fast that you miss the sights that you and your canine companion may have missed on the way up. Take your time and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Byers Peak Wilderness, and make sure to use the “leave no trace” principle so you and everyone else can continue to enjoy this furific trail.