White Mountains National Recreation Area

TRAIL BEGINS: Fossil Creek Trail mile 10
TRAIL ENDS: Colorado Creek Trail mile 22
LENGTH: 8.5 trail miles
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
ELEVATION CHANGE: 825 feet
RECOMMENDED SEASON: In the winter there is usually enough snow to travel this trail from November through March. Not recommended for summer use due to wet and boggy trail conditions.
USE: Moderate use by snowmobiles, dog sleds and skiers.
U.S.G.S. 1:63,360 TOPO MAPS: Livengood B-2, C-2

TRAIL DESCRIPTION:
The Fossil Gap Trail begins at mile 10 of the Fossil Creek Trail. The trail crosses open meadows for a short distance to Fossil Creek. This is the trail junction with a short spur trail that travels 1.5 miles up a small valley to the Caribou Bluff Cabin. From here, the Fossil Gap Trail follows Fossil Creek downstream for approximately 1.5 miles to where the trail climbs up and off of the creek, heading back into the woods. From this point the trail parallels Fossil Creek through the Gap and then across open meadows to Beaver Creek. The trail then crosses Beaver Creek and continues for 1.5 miles along Beaver Creek, across a slough and up the bank into the trees again. Use extreme caution crossing any open water sections. The trail continues through black spruce forest, across a bridge at Montana Creek and through open meadows marked with tripods to its junction with the Colorado Creek Trail.

CABIN INFORMATION:
The Caribou Bluff Cabin is located on the north side of Fossil Creek on a narrow ridge with spectacular views of Limestone Gulch. This 10' by 12' cabin has two bunk beds and sleeps four people comfortably. The cabin has a wood stove for heat, a Coleman cook stove and lantern, a table, cooking area, and an outhouse.