Waldrop Trail

If your pupster and you are trying to find a new hike in the Colorado Rockies near the Brainard Lake area of Ward, Colorado, you need to check out the pawesome Waldrop Trail. This out and back hike is rugged, and has some furrific views of the Rocky Mountains through the Continental Divide. Although this is a dog furiendly trail during the warmer months, the trail is off-limits to pups during the winter from November until May. 

Starting at the Brainard Gateway Trailhead on Brainard Lake Road, there is a parking lot charges $11 for three days. From here, you will trek gently up and down the rolling hills that connect Brainard Lake to the South Saint Vrain Trail, which is about one and a half miles. You and your canine kid will enjoy heavy shade from the mature pines of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. The trail is rocky in some areas, with lush grass in others. 

The Waldrop Trail meanders alongside the South Saint Vrain Creek, and there are places where you can cross, but do not attempt to cross during high water periods. Since there is no water access, so be sure to bring your own bottles of H20 for both of you. There are no restrooms either, so you will have to practice the “leave no trace” protocol. Bring clean up bags for your pup as well.

Most of the trail is heavily wooded, meaning you will not see as much of the views of the mountains as you would on other area trails. However, it is much cooler during the summer, and you and your pooch will most likely see a wide variety of wild critters. Some of the common ones include moose, mule deer, elk, sheep, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, and maybe even some bears and mountain lions. 

You and your fur buddy will enjoy this woofderful walk in the woods!