Roosevelt National Forest

Named for President Theodore Roosevelt, who is credited with creating the national-forest system, the 1,240-square-mile Roosevelt National Forest offers numerous opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, four-wheeling, fishing, and camping. It extends southward from the Wyoming state line, wrapping around the northern, eastern, and southern boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park and the community of Estes Park, and butts up against the Arapaho National Forest, which runs along the west side of the national park. Roosevelt National Forest includes the Cache la Poudre (poo-der) Wild and Scenic River, has several designated wilderness areas, and offers almost unlimited opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, and camping. Unlike in the national parks, national forest regulations generally permit leashed dogs on trails, and, except in designated wilderness areas, mountain bikes are also permitted on many trails.

Information & Visitor Center -- For information, contact the Forest Service Information Center, 2150 Centre Ave., Building E, Fort Collins, CO 80526 (tel. 970/295-6700). In Estes Park, a Forest Service Information Center is located at 161 Second St. (tel. 970/586-3440); it's usually open daily from 9am to 5pm in summer (usually closed in winter). The U.S. Forest Service's Rocky Mountain Region office, P.O. Box 25127, Lakewood, CO 80225 (tel. 303/275-5350), can also provide you with information. During summer you can get information at the park services' Lily Lake Visitor Center. Information is also available online at www.fs.fed.us/r2 or www.fs.fed.us/arnf.

Sports & Other Outdoor Activities

Fishing -- You'll catch rainbow, brown, brook, and cutthroat trout in the Cache la Poudre, the Big Thompson, and other area rivers. The national forest's mountain lakes, such as either of the two Lost Lakes, feature the same fish as the rivers, plus lake trout and kokanee salmon. Parts of the Cache la Poudre are designated Wild Trout waters; catch-and-release fishing and artificial lures and flies are required to protect the greenback cutthroat, the only local native trout. Also popular for fishing is Joe Wright Reservoir, located in the forest at 10,000 feet elevation, just off the northwest corner of the national park.

Hiking -- There are hundreds of miles of trails leading to beautiful scenic areas, much like the terrain in the national park, but usually much less crowded. Here are two recommended trails, but there are plenty more. Check with forest-service offices.

The 4-mile St. Vrain Mountain Trail is rated moderate to difficult. To get there, head south from Estes Park on Colo. 7 for about 18 miles to the community of Allenspark, and turn south on the dirt County Road 116. Follow it about 1 1/2 miles to a forest-service sign to Meadow Mountain and St. Vrain Glacier. Turn right and go 1/2 mile to the trail head parking area.

Climbing up into the alpine tundra, this trail takes you into Indian Peaks Wilderness Area and to the border of the national park. There are good views of Longs Peak, Mount Meeker, and the Wild Basin section of the park. From a forest of aspen and lodgepole pine, the trail climbs steeply up a glacial moraine, eventually reaching a saddle south of Meadow Mountain, with a .25-mile one-way side trip to the mountaintop. From this point it's about .75 miles to the western slope of St. Vrain Mountain. Once on top, you get a 360-degree view of numerous peaks, and you should look for the St. Vrain Glaciers due west. The starting elevation is 8,800 feet, and the trail has an elevation gain of 3,362 feet.

A shorter trail, the 1.5-mile Lily Mountain Trail, affords great views of several peaks inside the park, and this not-too-difficult hike is a terrific introduction to mountaineering for beginners. To get there, go south from Estes Park on Colo. 7 for 5 3/4 miles to the sign for Lily Mountain, and park on either side of the road.

The trail starts with a gentle climb to the north before switchbacking around to the south (at a junction -- take the left fork) and follows several short switchbacks up a steeper incline amid boulders. As you climb, Twin Sisters Peaks become visible to the southeast. Look occasionally to the northeast also, where Estes Park and Lake Estes can be seen in the distance. The trail now becomes steeper and can be difficult to discern -- watch for rock cairns marking the path. As it turns to the north for the final ascent, you'll be scrambling over boulders, still following the cairns.

On top, the views are magnificent in all directions. To the northwest is the Mummy Range, with Ypsilon Mountain, Mount Chiquita, and Mount Chapin on its left end, then Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain to the west, and Longs Peak and Mount Meeker to the southwest. To the southeast are the Twin Sisters Peaks, and turning northeast you'll see Lake Estes and the results of man's intrusion into this magnificent land -- the town of Estes Park. The initial elevation is 8,780 feet, and the elevation gain is 1,006 feet.

Horseback Riding -- Many forest trails used by hikers are also suitable for horseback riding. Check with forest-service offices for recommendations. To minimize the spread of non-native noxious plants, those taking hay into the forest for horse feed must be able to show that it is certified weed-free. Several companies offer horseback rides in the national forest and into Rocky Mountain National Park.

Mountain Biking -- Many, but not all, forest trails are open to mountain bikes; check with forest-service offices. Bike rentals are available in Estes Park.

Rafting -- The Cache la Poudre, Colorado's only federally designated Wild and Scenic River, offers exciting white-water rafting with serious rapids rated mostly Class III and IV. Fun for experienced boaters with good-quality equipment, this is not the place for on-the-job training, or for the use of those cheap little inflatable rafts from discount stores. First-timers will enjoy half-day trips with a licensed outfitter on Class II and III sections, and there are half-day and full-day trips over Class III and IV sections that will bounce you around a bit more and are guaranteed to get you wet. Cost for half-day trips is $45 to $65 per person, full-day river trips are $85 to $100, and overnight trips start at about $200. Among the area outfitters licensed to run the river are Rocky Mountain Adventures (tel. 800/858-6808 or 970/493-4005; www.shoprma.com) and A-1 Wildwater (tel. 800/369-4165 or 970/224-3379; www.a1wildwater.com).