Page 2 - RGC Recreational Map

ATV TRAILS (ALL USES ALLOWED)
Cross Creek Trail #812
ELEVATION: 8,400 ft. To 9,000 ft. (use late spring to mid fall)
DISTANCE: 4 miles DIFFICULTY: Moderate
Go west 1 mile from South Fork on Hwy. 160. Turn left at Beaver Creek Road and
follow the road about 7 miles to the Cross Creek Campground. The trail goes east
from the campground and is mostly used by folks staying at the campground during
the summer months, and Big Game hunters during the fall. Water is available along
the way but should be treated prior to use. Once you reach the end of this trail, you will are safe for an average rider.
find beautiful views of Del Norte Peak, Willow Park and the surrounding area.
Church Creek #933
ELEVATION: 8,200 to 8,900ft. DISTANCE: 4 miles
Go 1 mile southwest of South Fork on Hwy. 160, turn left at Beaver Creek Road. The
trailhead will be 1.2 miles on the left-hand side of the road.
East Bear #709
ELEVATION: 8,400 ft. To 9,200 ft. DISTANCE: 4 miles
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
Take Hwy. 149 for 1 mile and turn right on CR 15, after crossing the river. Go 3 miles to
Bear Creek road FSR 614. Follow FSR 614 to the end of the road, where the trailhead
is by a large rock. This hike takes you through nice aspen groves. After 1-½ miles you
will come out of the Aspens to see the creek and abandoned beaver dams. Cross the
creek on the right to find an old wagon road. By following this road down the creek ¼
mile you will find a cabin on the left. If you can, continue up the canyon, on the wagon
road to some other cabins. For a longer hike, return to the original trail and continue
up the mountain. This can be rocky and narrow and is best for Motorcycles.
Frisco Fitton #894
DISTANCE: 3 miles
From the west edge of Del Norte, follow Pinos Creek CR 14 to Burro Creek Rd
328; 1/3 mile past the guard station the trail will start on the east side. This trail
is difficult with steep sections and goes through private property. Please ask for
permission before using.
West Frisco #850
DISTANCE: 6.5 miles
From Del Norte, go south on CR 13 to FSR 320. The trailhead is at the end of this
road. This is a difficult trail because it is narrow.
HIKING & BIKING TRAHILIKSIN
Middle Alder Creek Trail #797
DISTANCE: 5 miles DIFFICULTY: Moderate
Take Hwy. 149 out of South Fork towards CR 15, taking the first right after crossing
the river. Continue along the road about 1-½ miles to the Alder Creek sign and go left.
Proceed approximately 2.4 miles down FSR 610, passing the Alder Creek Guard Station.
At the first switchback to the left, you will find the trailhead marked #797. Follow the trail the west, following the stream most of the way. Many vistas of waterfalls and snow-capped
about a ½ mile where it branches off to the right of the jeep trail. The trail will crisscross mountains are encountered. The trail continues on another 7 miles to Archuleta Lake
the small creek 13 times as you work your way up, and you will also encounter a lot of
windfall. The terrain of the hike will mainly be in dense woods. If you continue up #797
it will eventually catch FSR 610. The trail continues for a ways from this point, following
Viers Creek before ending. About 4 miles up the road you will find an abandoned cabin on
the right and an old saw mill site.
Shady Creek Trail #898
ELEVATION: 9,800 to 11,400ft. DISTANCE: 10 miles
This trail starts at Elk Park on the Pinos Creek Road, which is CR 14, on the west edge
of Del Norte. Travel about 10 miles until you see a big sign for the National Forest.
From here it is 2 miles to Elk Park. This trail is well suited to motorcycles and ATVs. The
trail follows West Pinos Creek downstream about a mile, then climbs up Shady Creek
to its headwaters. It then crosses the Hogback Ridge and terminates in Willow Park.
Del Norte Peak can be climbed from Willow Park on foot.
Tewksberry Trail #842
ELEVATION: 8,400 ft. to 9,440 ft.
DISTANCE: 5 miles DIFFICULTY: Moderate
Take Hwy. 160 south approximately 1 mile to the Beaver Creek Reservoir turn off on the
left. Follow this road about 5 miles where you will see the Million Reservoir turn off on the
left, and the Tewksberry Trail and the Beaver Creek Youth Camp on the right. Proceed
down the dirt road staying to the right at the “Y”. You will end up in a meadow with horse
corrals. Behind the corrals on the mountainside you will find the trailhead. The trail
zigzags up the hill and you will come to a meadow at the top of the hill. Tewksberry Trail
eventually connects with FSR 361, which is a side road from Park Creek Road 380.
MOTORIZED TRAIL INFORMATION
The trails highlighted in Orange are trails which
have been ridden by the Silverthread ATVers and
All trails will still have rocks, side hills and obstacles
on the trail to negotiate. When you encounter an
obstacle such as a downed tree, DO NOT RIDE
AROUND IT!! Make a good effort to remove the
obstacle, and if you can’t remove it, turn around
and go back. The path you make by going around
the obstacle will often cause erosion, and that is
one of the fastest ways to lose our riding privileges
on that trail.
If you aren’t comfortable riding by yourself,
don’t: the Silverthreaders sponsor ATV rides
every week during May – September. Meet at
the Visitors Center parking lot, bring a lunch and
plenty of water.
We recommend that you carry a small bow saw on
your ATV to remove downed trees from the trail, and
a small plastic bag to collect trash in as you ride.
Big Meadows Lake Trail #839 (Archuleta Trail)
DISTANCE: 2 miles to Weminuche Wilderness Border
DIFFICULTY: Strenuous due to elevation gain of nearly 3,000 ft.; moderate for first 3 miles.
Take Hwy. 160 south out of South Fork for 11 miles to FSR 410 for Big Meadows Lake on the
right. Park at the boat ramp on the north side of the lake. You will find the trailhead near
the rest room. This trail will take you around the lake and over the spillway back to your car.
However, at the upper end of the lake, the Archuleta Trail continues through the woods to
and over the Continental Divide. You may want to try some of the other trails in the area:
Lake Fork (7 miles), Kitty Creek (5 miles), and South Fork (4 miles).
Bonito Pass Trail #840 DISTANCE: 3.75 miles
Go west on Hwy. 160 for 13 miles to Pass Creek Road 390 (Tucker Ponds). Take FSR 390
to the junction of FSR 388, follow 388 to the end of the road where you will park. The trail
begins above the road on the right. Follow the trail ½ mile to the top of the pass where it
intersects with the Continental Divide Trail #813. You will follow this trail for about 3 miles
to the Silver Pass Trail. You will have to bushwhack to the right (north) about ¼ mile to the
road. Hike up the road about a mile to reach your car. This is a great hike during the fall
when the leaves are changing.
Crater Lake #707
DISTANCE: 4.5 miles DIFFICULTY: Strenuous due to elevation gain of 2,000 ft.
To get to the trailhead, take the Park Creek/Summitville Road (approx. 8 miles south on
Hwy. 160 from South Fork) and proceed up the road 15 miles to a “Y” intersection. Stay
to the right, taking road #380 (this is also the road to Platoro). Proceed about 4 miles on
#380, passing the Elwood Pass jeep road on the right. Continue along until you see the
Crater Lake Trail marker. Follow the trail, and after ¾ of a mile you will have a canyon view
(there will be some large posts sticking up near the trail). At this point you may encounter
a “Y” in the trail. The right goes over the rock slide. Next you will encounter another “Y”.
Both trails lead to the lake, you’re almost there. When going over the divide there is a long
stretch above timber line.
Decker Creek #834
DISTANCE: 7.9 miles
From Big Meadows Reservoir follow FSR 430 for 1 mile past the Hunters Lake trailhead,
this trail will start on the right side of the road. This is a difficult trail with steep sections.
Mountain bikes are allowed.
Giant Fir Tree Trail
DISTANCE: 0.5 miles DIFFICULTY: Easy
Take Hwy. 160 south approximately 1 mile to the Beaver Creek Reservoir turn off, on
the left. Take this road approximately 7 miles up a gradual climb to Beaver Reservoir,
following the road around the reservoir to the Cross Creek Campground on the far end.
Directly across the road from the parking area you will see a sign for “The Fir”. Proceed
up the stair case to the upright wood poles that mark the trail. At the end you will find the
biggest tree in the Rio Grande National Forest, a Douglas Fir that is 66 inches in diameter
(or 207 inches around), and possibly close to 500 years old.
Hope Creek Trail #838
ELEVATION: 9,500 ft To 12,000 ft
DISTANCE: 6 miles to the Weminuche Wilderness Border.
DIFFICULTY: Moderate due to elevation gain of 2,400 ft.
Follow Hwy. 160 south from South Fork approximately 11 miles to Big Meadows Lake
turn off on the right. Proceed past Big Meadows Lake, staying to the right at the fork.
After you top your first hill going towards Shaw Lake, you will descend to a switchback
where the Hope Creek trailhead is located on the left. The trail has an initial climb, but
then levels out with small rolling hills as the trail follows the creek. Cover consists of thick
woods and small open meadows as you move up the canyon. About 1-½ miles up the trail
you will enter the Weminuche Wilderness. Following the trail further will connect to the
Continental Divide Trail. Mountain Bikes are allowed up to the Wilderness Boundary.
Hunters Lake #800
ELEVATION: 11,000 ft. to 11,400 ft. DISTANCE: 1 mile DIFFICULTY: Easy to
Moderate
To get to the trailhead, go west 11 miles from South Fork on Hwy 160. Turn right at Big
Meadows Reservoir and follow FSR 430 for 11 miles to the Hunters Lake trailhead. This
trail begins at the Wilderness Boundary and goes to Hunters Lake. You may choose to
go further on Highland Trail #832 or the Tie Hill Trail #835 and create a loop, or continue
toward the Continental Divide.