About this place

The West Branch Trail crosses a bridge about a 1/4 mile from the trailhead and soon enters the Rawah Wilderness. This beautiful trail follows the west branch of the Laramie River and climbs through switchbacks for the next two miles to the intersection with Camp Lake Trail. From there the West Branch Trail continues west for another mile where it crosses the North Fork of the Laramie River to meet the south end of the Rawah Trail (#961). About two miles farther the trail enters a meadow and meets the north end of the Blue Lake Trail (#959) before continuing steeply to terminate at Island and Carey Lakes. Stream crossings may be tricky during spring runoff. West Branch Trailhead accommodates approximately 26 vehicles and four horse trailers. Travel 11 miles northwest of Fort Collins on U.S. Highway 287 to Colorado Highway 14. Turn left on CO 14 and travel 52 miles to County Road 103, Laramie River Road. Turn right and travel north about six miles to trailhead parking on the left just past Tunnel Campground.