The Purpose

Hewlett Gulch remains the most heavily used multi-use trail in the Canyon Lakes Ranger District, attracting a diverse user group due to its proximity to Fort Collins, beginner-friendly terrain, and a cottonwood canopy with water access along Gordon Creek. The trail consists of two distinct segments: the lower 2 miles through the shaded gulch along the creek and the upland 4-mile loop to the north. Many users, particularly those with dogs and young children, turned back at the junction between the loop and lower trail, remaining in the valley where there is access to water and shade. The loop had a narrower tread profile, traversing the old roadbed through the meadow, offering increased elevation gain and a few panoramic viewpoints. IT was non-directional and used in both directions by all user groups.

Phase 1 of the Hewlett Gulch Trail Revitalization Project focused on the 2.10-mile sustainable reroute of the northernmost loop to enhance the trail experience while protecting the gulch’s unique fire-impacted ecosystem. The Forest Service prioritized this work because the original legacy trail segment exhibited trail braiding, large-scale erosion, unsustainable grades, and trenching, which compromised both user safety and ecological integrity. The reroute was carefully planned and implemented under the guidance of the Forest Service through a comprehensive NEPA review process, ensuring that the trail avoided historic preservation sites, protected sensitive habitat, and maintained watershed health, while providing a durable, professionally designed alignment capable of supporting the increasing levels of multi-use recreation in the region.

These improvements were executed by OMBA’s Trail Stewardship Crew, with careful attention to all user groups’ access and functionality. The reroute enhanced sight lines, incorporated increased rest points, and featured progressive tread design to allow users to curate their own experience along the trail, while ensuring long-term sustainability and protection of the gulch’s natural resources.

Goals

1. Curate a reroute that improved the user experience through utilizing the natural landscape and focusing on positive user interaction points.

2. Focus on Sustainable trail-building practices to develop segments of the trail that withstand the high level of traffic this trail will continue to receive.

3. Bring unique user groups together that value what Hewlett Gulch offers and showcase that revitalization of an already valued trail can improve all user groups impacted.

4. Curate a higher quality experience that invites a more diverse community to take the first steps into recreation up the Poudre Canyon.