Cache la Poudre Wilderness
Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado

Named for the river that runs at its northern edge, the Cache la Poudre Wilderness was added to the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1980. The 9,400-acre Cache la Poudre Wilderness is characterized by steep, rugged terrain along the Poudre River and the Little South Fork of the Poudre. 9 essentially unreachable miles of the Little South Fork of the Poudre River along with the whole mainstem of the Poudre River above Poudre Park were designated a National Wild and Scenic River in 1986. Elevation ranges from 6,100' to 8,300', and the area is accessible most of the year.

Because of the rugged topography, public use is low and only two maintained trails exist in the Cache la Poudre Wilderness. The Kreutzer Nature Trail is about 2 miles long. The Mount McConnel National Recreation Trail is about 3 miles long and loops off of the Kreutzer Nature Trail. Most travel is accomplished by fishermen, scrambling and bushwhacking along stream bottoms in search of legendary trout fishing, and by big game hunters on the ridges and along game trails. The Cache la Poudre Wilderness is primarily montane. Ponderosa and lodgepole pine forests dominate the countryside, and mule deer, bear, coyote and mountain lion inhabit the area.