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White Mountains National Recreation Area - Colorado Creek Trail
TRAIL BEGINS: Elliott Highway milepost 57
TRAIL ENDS: Wolf Run Cabin
LENGTH: 24 trail miles
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
ELEVATION CHANGE: 1,015 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 use by snowmobiles with moderate dog sledding and skier use.
U.S.G.S. 1:63,360 TOPO MAPS: Livengood B-2, B-3, C-2, C-3
COLORADO CREEK TRAIL ELEVATION PROFILE
TRAIL DESCRIPTION:
The Colorado Creek Trail begins at the Tolovana River bridge at milepost 57 on the Elliott Highway. It follows the Duncan Creek drainage eastward approximately 13 trail miles to the boundary of the White Mountains National Recreation Area. This part of the trail goes through areas of open meadows, mixed with spruce and birch trees. From the trailhead (612 feet elevation), the trail climbs gently for about ten miles, increasing in steepness for the next three miles to a point where it breaks out on top of the ridgeline (1,625 feet). This is an old burn area that overlooks a large, open meadow with the Beaver Creek drainage and the White Mountains visible in the distance. This is a good spot to cut firewood for the cabin. After another mile the trail connects with the Big Bend Trail leading 1/2 mile to the Colorado Creek Cabin.
From this trail junction, the Colorado Creek Trail continues toward Beaver Creek (1,175 feet). The trail goes through an old burn area, then through forested sections of spruce, occasionally breaking into open meadows which provide good views of the White Mountains. In the forested areas, the cut trail is visible and marked, but a storm or frequent high winds may drift snow across the open sections of trail, making it difficult to follow. This holds true for the next mile to a bridge that crosses Colorado Creek. Watch for tripod markers, as the trail passes through open meadows that have frequent high winds. About halfway across the meadow is the Fossil Gap Trail junction leading to the Caribou Bluff Cabin. Once across the meadow, the trail drops on to and crosses Beaver Creek. From Beaver Creek, the trail goes through a large open meadow. The trail follows this meadow along its northern edge before reentering the forest and crossing the bridge over Windy Creek. The Wolf Run Cabin is about one mile from Beaver Creek and is visible on the hillside north of the trail. This trail connects with the Windy Creek Trail.
CABIN INFORMATION:
The Colorado Creek Cabin is located along the Big Bend Trail on the west side of a small lake that drains into Colorado Creek. This 12' by 16' log cabin has bunk beds and a loft, that can sleep four to five people comfortably.
The Wolf Run Cabin is located approximately 1.5 miles from Beaver Creek on the north side of the Windy Creek Trail. This 10' by 12' log cabin has bunk beds that can sleep four people comfortably.
These cabins have a wood stove for heat, a Coleman cook stove and lantern, a table, and an outhouse.
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