Colorado Creek Trail

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

The Colorado Creek Trail begins at the Tolovana River bridge along the Elliott Highway.

It starts by following the Duncan Creek drainage on a long and steady, but gentle, climb eastward to the boundary of the White Mountains National Recreation Area. This section of the route goes through areas of open meadows, mixed with spruce and birch trees.

At the top of the climb, the trail breaks out onto the ridgeline in an old burn area that overlooks a large, open meadow with the Beaver Creek drainage and the White Mountains visible in the distance. After another mile, the trail connects with the Big Bend.

From this trail junction, continue toward Beaver Creek, traveling through another burn area, followed by sections of spruce. Occasionally the route breaks into open meadows that provide good views of the White Mountains.

In the forested areas, the trail is visible and marked, although storms or frequent high winds may cause snow drifts across the open sections of trail, making route finding difficult. This holds true as the route continues to a bridge that crosses Colorado Creek.

From here, follow the tripod markers as the trail passes through another open meadow that is subject to drifting snow. About halfway across the meadow is the junction with Fossil Gap and the Caribou Bluff Cabin Connector leading to the Caribou Bluff Cabin.

Once across the meadow, the trail drops to and crosses Beaver Creek. From here, the route passes through another large, open meadow along its northern edge before reentering the forest and crossing the bridge over Windy Creek.

Wolf Run Cabin is about one mile from Beaver Creek, visible on the hillside north of the trail. Just past here, the trail connects with the Windy Creek Trail.