Cow Creek Trail,
Rocky Mountain National Park
Elevation
The Cow Creek Trail has a maximum elevation of 11,106 ft., a minimum elevation of 7,844 ft. and an elevation range of 3,262 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 8.2 mi | 7,844 ft | 11,106 ft | 3,262 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 3.8 hrs | 250.8 | 3,009 ft | 3 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 3.2 hrs | 0.2 | 3 ft | 3,009 ft |
Calories
The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.
Topo Maps
Download the PDF Cow Creek Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.
Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend
- Northwest Topo Map: Comanche Peak, CO
- North Topo Map: Pingree Park, CO
- Northeast Topo Map: Crystal Mountain, CO
- West Topo Map: Trail Ridge, CO
- Topo Map: Estes Park, CO
- East Topo Map: Glen Haven, CO
- Southwest Topo Map: McHenrys Peak, CO
- South Topo Map: Longs Peak, CO
- Southeast Topo Map: Panorama Peak, CO
Difficulty
The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Cow Creek Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.
FAQ
What is the length of the Cow Creek Trail?
The length of the trail is 8.2 miles (13.3 km) or 17,958 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Cow Creek Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 3.8 hours in one direction and in 3.2 hours in the opposite direction.
Warnings
Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
(cdc.gov)
- The American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) may be present in this area. The American dog tick transmits Tularemia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- The Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) may be present in this area. The Brown dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- The Lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) may be present in this area. The Lone star tick transmits Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii, (which cause human Ehrlichiosis), Heartland Virus, Tularemia, and STARI.
- The Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) may be present in this area. The Rocky Mountain wood tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Colorado Tick Fever, and Tularemia.
Footnotes
- Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
- Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
- Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
- Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
- Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
- Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
- Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
- Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
- Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.