Few suitable campsites exist on the northern portion of trail. Best camp locations may be found in the Cascade and Difficulty Creek drainages. Adequate horse feed is available in both locations. Drinking water is limited, especially in late summer.

Due to high elevations, horses should be rested frequently. Both approaches to the Bridge of Heaven are steep and narrow. Inexperienced riders should lead their horses in this area.

Starting point for the Horsethief Trail is just beyond the Wedge Mine at the end of the Dexter Creek Road. Due to mining activity and heavy ore truck traffic, the last mile of road may be closed to vehicle use. If the road is closed, park at the Bachelor Mine. Trucks with horse trailers should park at the mine at all times due to limited turn-around space on the road above.

Travel is limited to foot and horse traffic only. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the Horsethief Trail. Recent reconstruction and signing defines the route making travel easy. Rock cairns and markers are utilized above timberline.

By horse, travel time takes a full day from Dexter Creek to Engineer Mountain. Travel from Dexter Creek into the Difficulty Creek basin and back may be made in a single day, but it is a long hard trip.

From Engineer Mountain hikers frequently return to Highway 550 via the Bear Creek Trail to make a 3 day loop around Ouray. By taking the old trail down the north fork-of Bear Creek, a few miles may be saved.

A particularly scenic section of trail is the Bridge of Heaven between Cascade and Bridal Veil Creeks. For a short section the trail follows a ridge top with steep drop-offs on either side. Elevation of the "Bridge" is 12,308 feet. Spectacular mountain panoramas surround travelers at this point.

Bighorn sheep are frequently seen along high open ridges. Areas to be watchful for their activity include the Bridge of Heaven and Wildhorse Peak.

Access: Drive south from Ridgway on U.S. 550. Turn left on the Cutler Creek/Dexter Creek Road (there is a Forest Service road sign there). Stay on Cutler Creek/ Dexter Creek Road going past the Panoramic Heights subdivision. Continue past the sign that says entering "Lake Lenore Company property". At .9 miles from U.S. 550, you are in an opening and Lake Lenore is on the right.

At 1 mile there is a road intersection. The road to the left takes -you over Dexter Creek. There is a Forest Service sign here that says "Dexter Creek". Bear right at this intersection.

At 1.2 miles there is a road to the right which takes you to Jackass Flats and to the Blowout. Do not turn here but continue straight.

At 1.8 miles you cross a bridge over Dexter Creek. The road becomes a little steeper and rougher but it is still passenger car accessible. At 2.3 miles there is a little road that drops down to Dexter Creek to the right. Stay on the main road.

At 2.5 miles there is a small corral on the left. This is the Dexter Creek Trailhead. Continue on the road crossing Dexter Creek. This is the end of 2-wheel drive access.

Cross Dexter Creek, keep left.

At the 4-way intersection continue straight.

At 3.1 miles you go over a culvert. Immediately after this there is a road to the right with a chain and sign that says "private road". Also at this point there is a county milepost marker. It is milepost 3.

At 3.4 miles there are remnants of an old miners building on the right hand side. At 3.6 miles there is a grassed in road that drops off to the left. 100 feet later there is another road that drops off to the left and goes to a gravel area which is part of an old mine.

At 3.7 miles you are faced with two opportunities. There is a low standard road to the right. To the left there is a short road that takes you into the previously mentioned mining area. This is a good parking spot for the trail head. Park here unless the landowner has signed the area "No Parking".

Walk or drive up the road to the right about 700 feet and you will come to the Horsethief Trailhead which is well signed. The trail leaves the road to the right.