Homestead Meadows and Moose Meadows Loop

A hike that takes you back into history after a nice walk up a scenic gulch. The trail progresses in a westerly direction up a narrow and scenic gulch. There are several bridges and log crossings on this trail. The third bridge is about a mile from the trailhead after you go about 2.5 miles you will start to enter the meadows, where the trails follow old logging roads that are fairly level. There are eight homesteads in the area, four are to the South, two are in the vicinity of the main meadows and the other two are to the North and North East. The Irvin Homestead accessed by trail 1004 is worth the extra walk, there are some awesome views of the Mummy Range in that area. If you visit the homesteads that are located to the South you will traverse thru the remnants of the Big Elk Fire, which destroyed the Engert Homestead in 2002. The Laycook Homestead is about a mile South of the trail junction and sits at the head of a large meadow where Elk can be seen. There is a wonderful pamphlet available about the homesteads at the RMNP gift shop The cost of access to this area is $6; machine accepts credit cards. There are only two tiny streams for your pet to get a drink so take along extra water.