San Juan National Forest
Pagosa Springs Area
Day Hikes
You don't have to"load up" with camping gear and walk many miles to experience the awesome natural beauty of the area. There are several opportunities to experience walking along a clear mountain stream, being awestruck as white, fluffy clouds billow over majestic peaks or seeing flora in it's full array of colors in high mountain meadows. The following are suggested day hikes that take from a few hours to a full day. Try one or several and be sure to take along your camera.
Fourmile Falls
North 9 miles on Fourmile Road (645), take right hand fork at the junction and drive 4 more miles to the trailhead. This trail is relatively easy as it goes along 4 Mile Creek and up the canyon. Eagle Mountain will tower to your right and you will be walking through dense stands of aspen and spruce-fir. At mile 3 you will reach the waterfall which drops 300' from the cliff high above. Trailhead elevation: 9,200. Elevation at falls: 9,800. Allow about 2 hours walking time each way for full enjoyment.
Quartz Lake
South 1/8 mile on US 84, turn left on Mill Creek Road (662) proceed 6.5 miles to junction, take left hand fork for 9.5 miles to trailhead. Moderately hard trail, for. the hearty hiker. First part of trail is a series of steep switchbacks and the trail climbs steadily for about 3 miles. Once on top the trail is fairly flat to the lake (1.5 miles) which is above timberline. Allow from 2-4 hours going in depending on your pace and remember it's all down hill coming out so you can spend a little longer at the lake marveling at the beauty from "the top of the world". Trailhead elevation 10,040. Elevation at the lake-11,600.
Opal Lake
Eight miles south on US 84, turn left on Blanco Basin Road, proceed 9.9 miles, turn right across bridge to road 666, go approximately 1 mile, turn right at junction. Trail starts to the left of the beaver ponds at sharp right-hand bend in the road. Distance is 1.2 miles and takes about 45 minutes to the lake. Groves of large aspen trees line the trail and several active beaver dams can be seen in and below the lake. First 15 minutes is moderately hard and rest of the trail is easy. Trailhead elevation 8,400. Elevation at lake 8,600.
Piedra River
14.5 miles north on Piedra Road. Park just across the bridge. Trail is above parking lot and goes south on the west side of the river. This is any easy trail for young and old alike if you go in the first 3.5 miles. Trail actually continues for another 8.5 miles through several cool box canyons to end at the bridge on the First Fork of the Piedra River Road (662). Keep your eyes open for the playful river otter as they slide down muddy banks or sit in the sun at waters edge. Trailhead elevation 7,700. Elevation at First Fork bridge 7,200.
Williams Creek Trail
4.75 miles past Williams Reservoir on Rd. 640 to parking area. No specific destination on this hike but by going in about 3 miles you will get the impression of a gigantic walled garden. The rock formation in the canyon walls are truly fascinating. After 1/2 mile there is 3/4 mile of steep climb but the rest of the trail is relatively easy. Small wild mammals are abundant in this area including the tassle-earred Abert squirrel. Trailhead elevation 8,360. Elevation at end of 3 miles-9,000.
Treasure Mountain And Windy Pass
From top of Wolf Creek Pass (US 160) take Continental Divide Trail south for 1 mile to reach Treasure Mountain trail. Treasure Mountain trail forms a junction with Windy Pass trail after approximately 4 miles. Keep right and continue down Windy Pass trail for 2 miles to reach US 160 below Treasure Falls. A fairly easy trail as it is mostly downhill with the exception of steep climb on first part of Treasure Mountain trail. View of East Fork valley is spectacular from the top of Windy Pass. Experience the same thrill that early day settlers experienced as they came into this area from Summitville. Dense spruce-fir timber and several small streams along this route. Trailhead elevation 10,857. Elevation at US 160 by Treasure Falls-7,870.
Lobo Overlook And Continental Divide
Turn left on dirt road just past Continental Divide summit on Wolf Creek Pass (US 160). 1.5 miles to parking area which is actually a microwave tower site. No specific destination here-just hike west as far as you like on the Continental Divide Trail. Here you are truly on top of the world as you are on the "backbone" of the country: the dividing line for water draining east and west. Snow melts slowly at this elevation so it will be early summer before you can drive to the microwave tower. Elevation: 11,200.
Longer Hikes
in the Pagosa Springs Area
Hiking in the Weminuche and San Juan Wilderness is increasing yearly in popularity. At the present time a permit is not required and numbers of people on certain trails is not limited as is the case in some wilderness areas. These are areas of great beauty and varied terrain. Elevations range from 8,000 to over 13,000 feet. As a general rule, weather conditions change fast by the end of June or first day of July.
The Forest Service maintains a system of gravel roads on which most trailheads are located. Most trailheads along these gravel roads offer a limited amount of parking space. While theft is a rarity, please lock your vehicle and don't leave valuable items exposed to view while you are away.
Cimarrona Creek Trail
Trailhead just beyond Cimarrona Campground. This trail climbs 3,000 feet in 6 miles and camping areas along the trail are very limited. First 2 miles of trail are moderately easy; from here many switchbacks start the steep ascent. Trail levels out toward the top near some waterfalls. Connects with Hossick Creek and Continental Divide Trails. Length-8 miles. Highest point-11,500 feet.
Hossick Creek & Hossick Lake Trail
Trails can be accessed from Cimarrona Creek Trail or from Poison Park trailhead near Williams Reservoir. First good camping sites are approximately 4 miles in when you enter the basin at the head of Hossick Creek. This trail ascends 4,000 feet in it's 7 mile length to Squaw Pass on the Continental Divide. Highest point-12,000 feet.
East Fork Of Weminuche Creek Trail
Seven miles from Poison Park Trailhead. Trail begins just after crossing bridge on the East Fork of Weminuche. Rugged canyon with several avalanche paths noticeable. Steady upward climb. 5 miles to trail end in big meadow along the East Fork. Highest point-11,000 feet, total ascent-1,500 feet.
Williams Creek Trail
Trailhead at end of road above Williams Reservoir. A couple of stream crossings and three fairly steep sections on this trail. View from the Continental Divide is spectacular. 14 miles to Continental Divide Trail. Highest point-11,800 feet, total ascent-3,400 feet.
Williams Lake Trail
This 3.5 mile steep trail leads from Williams Creek Trail (mile 7.5) to Williams Lake and the Continental Divide. Lake is above timberline so camping could be uncomfortable during foul weather.
Indian Creek Trail
Eight mile trail begins 2.5 miles up Williams Creek trail. Number of good camping sites around Palisade Meadows which are 3 miles up this trail. After leaving meadows to the east, trail descends steeply into Middle Fork of Piedra River before again climbing toward the Continental Divide. Last 1.5 miles are a steep climb. Highest point-11,500 feet, total ascents-3,500 feet.
Palisade Meadows Trail
This two mile trail goes north from Palisade Meadows to Continental Divide. This is an alternative to trail leading east into Middle Fork of Piedra described above.
Middle Fork Trail
Ten miles from Middle Fork trailhead to Palomino Mountain on the Continental Divide. Last half of the trail is at or over 12,000 feet so snowmelt is late. Crossing the Middle Fork might be troublesome during high water. Window Lake at 6 miles and Monument Lake at 8 miles can be accessed from this trail. Trail is steep and offers little camping along the way. Highest point-12,000 feet, total ascent-4,600 feet.
4 Mile Loop Trail
14 miles (8 miles new trail & 6 miles old one). New trail begins to left of parking area at 4 Mile trailhead. Relatively easy trail through steep terrain; goes under base of Pagosa Peak on its east side. Limited camping first 5 miles. 8 miles to 4 Mile Lake and intersection with old 4 Mile Lake Trail. From 4 Mile Lake continue south 1 mile to intersect with 4 Mile Creek trail. From here 4 miles east will take you past Cherry Cairn to Turkey Lake and Turkey Creek Trail. At intersection of 4 Mile Lake and 4 Mile Creek trail going south will take you the 6 miles back to 4 Mile trailhead to complete the loop. It is suggested you go up the new trail and down the old due to steepness and deteriorating conditions of old trail. Old trail is easy walking last 3 miles and 2 sets of beautiful water falls are along the route. Highest point-11,900 feet, total ascent 2,660 feet.
Turkey Creek Trail
A moderately easy trail with several stream crossings and steep grades. Longest trail in this section of the Weminuche Wilderness. 20 miles of beautiful scenery from trailhead on Jackson Mountain to the Continental Divide. Junction with 4 Mile Creek Trail & Turkey Lake at mile 12. After 14 miles trail has climbed above timberline. Trail forms a junction with West Fork Trail at Piedra Pass to form the loop referred to as the Rainbow Trail by the Forest Service. Highest point-12,000 feet, total ascent-5,000 ft.
West Fork Trail
13 miles from West Fork trailhead to Continental Divide trail. First 3/4 mile of trail is on private property (Born's Lake) so please stay on the path. At mile 3 you must cross the West Fork if the San Juan and another crossing occurs at Beaver Creek (mile 3.5). At mile 4.5, Beaver Creek trail leads to your right. A natural hot spring flows into the creek at mile 5 so this section of trail receives a lot of use. At mile 6 the trail starts climbing steeply and has many switchbacks. Several more stream crossings before you reach the Continental Divide trail at Piedra Pass. Highest point-11,700 feet, total ascent-3,600 feet.
Beaver Creek Trail
Nine mile trail begins 4.5 miles up West Fork trail and to the right (east). Beginning of trail has many steep switchbacks to climb over the ridge. At mile 5 the trail crosses Beaver Creek and enters Beaver Meadows. Timberline occurs at mile 8. Continental Divide trail is met at mile 9 at 12,000 feet. Highest point-12,000 feet, total ascent-3,000 feet.
 Move on to Trail Finder: San Juan National Forest
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