White Mountains National Recreation Area

TRAIL BEGINS: Borealis-LeFevre Cabin
TRAIL ENDS: Windy Gap Cabin
LENGTH: 22 trail miles
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
ELEVATION CHANGE: 550 feet
RECOMMENDED SEASON: In the winter there is usually enough snow to travel this trail from November through early April. Not recommended for summer use due to wet and boggy trail conditions.
USE: Moderate to heavy winter use by snowmobiles with moderate dog sledding and skier use. Not recommended for summer use.
U.S.G.S. 1:63,360 TOPO MAPS: Livengood B-1, B-2, C-1

TRAIL DESCRIPTION:
Connecting with the Wickersham Creek Trail at the Borealis-LeFevre Cabin on Beaver Creek, the Fossil Creek Trail heads north through a broad, open valley and Black Spruce forests for the first four miles. In 1987, there was a large, naturally occurring wildfire in this area. The trail passes through this burn area for approximately two miles. The trail then climbs 1/2 mile before dropping into the Fossil Creek drainage.

The Fossil Gap Trail junction is located at approximately mile 10 of the Fossil Creek Trail. The Fossil Gap Trail leads to the Colorado Creek Trail and connects with the Caribou Bluff Cabin spur trail. The Fossil Creek Trail continues to follow the Fossil Creek drainage for another 12 miles. The trail goes past jagged limestone cliffs and through White Spruce forests before reaching the Windy Gap Cabin and connecting with the Cache Mountain Loop Trail.

CABIN INFORMATION:
The original Borealis-LeFevre A-frame cabin was built in 1970 by the Borealis-Kiwanis Club and sponsored by Dr. LeFevre. That cabin was replaced in 1996 with a log cabin. The new cabin is located close by on a bluff overlooking Beaver Creek and Big Bend. This 12' by 16' cabin has bunk beds and a loft that can sleep six people comfortably.

The Windy Gap Cabin is located at the foot of the White Mountains on the east side of Fossil Creek. This 12' by 16' cabin has bunk beds and a loft, and can sleep four to five people comfortably.

Each of these cabins has a wood stove for heat, a Coleman cook stove and lantern, a table and benches, and an outhouse.