Before venturing out into the forest and backcountry be sure that you are familiar with current weather conditions and forest regulations.  Each visitor should study the information on the trailhead bulletin board and/or go into the Forest Service office at 680 Blue River Parkway in Silverthorne to obtain the latest copy of the RECREATION OPPORTUNITY GUIDE (ROG) before heading out on any particular trail. 

TIPS FOR MOUNTAIN BIKERS:

Always wear a helmet and control your bike at all times.  Downhill riders must yield to uphill riders.  Slow down and use caution when approaching or overtaking another rider.  Always control speed, unexpected obstacles may appear suddenly.  Ride on marked trails only; treat the land with care and respect.  Avoid damaging the fragile alpine environment and trails, especially when raining or wet.  Always be prepared for sudden afternoon thunder or snowstorms with adequate rain gear, warm clothing and plenty of food and water.  Be careful not to accidentally leave any litter along the way, including cigarette butts.  Always be careful with fire - a camp stove is the preferred method for cooking in the backcountry.  REMEMBER - NO VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED IN WILDERNESS AREAS!  The best way you can help the land survive is to challenge yourself to make the least possible impact on the land.  CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON LEAVE NO TRACE.

If you see a particular MOUNTAIN BIKING trail that interests you, click on the trail name and you will be taken the ROG sheet for that trail.  The trail links contain the same Recreation Opportunity Guide (ROG) sheets that you can get at the Dillon Ranger District office.  The front side of the ROG sheet contains route information such as: route difficulty, length, directions on how to get to the trailhead, interesting information on the route and any important information that route users might need to know.  The back side of the ROG sheet contains a custom topographic map highlighting the OHV route along with an elevation profile.

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MODERATE TRAILS

7.  DEER CREEK ROAD FDR 5 - STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS AND TRAILS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  THIS ROAD IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE MTN. BIKING, HIKING AND OHV USE.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  The road begins at an elevation of 10,570 feet and ends at an elevation of 12,342 feet, with a highest elevation of 12,342 feet.  The elevation gain is +1,773 feet.  Deer Creek Road provides OHV enthusiasts with an excellent opportunity to view the alpine environment along with spectacular views of the Continental Divide.  A loop can be made, which is shown on the ROG topo trail map.  This loop is rated "MORE DIFFICULT".  Route spotting is recommended in some places.  The loop can be made by Radical Hill to Deer Creek; or over Glacier Ridge to Saints John and back through Montezuma.  Montezuma was discovered by miners and settled during the silver boom in 1863.  Webster Pass Road was opened in 1878.  The town hit its peak in 1880 when the population reached 800.  Montezuma was incorporated in 1881.  A large portion of this route travels above timberline.  For this reason, be sure to check the weather forecast and choose a clear day for your trip.  The route difficulty is rated MODERATE TO MORE DIFFICULT.  For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet. 

CLICK ON THE PHOTOS BELOW TO VIEW DEER CREEK ROAD PHOTOS

8.  GOLD HILL FDT 79 - STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS AND TRAILS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE MTN. BIKING AND HIKING.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  This trail is a very popular mountain biking trail, so be alert for their presence.  The trail begins at an elevation of 9,207 feet and ends at an elevation of 10,026 feet, with a highest elevation of 10,291 feet.  The elevation gain is +819 feet.  This trail connects with the Peaks Trail (FDT 45), Miners Creek Trail (FDT 38) and both the Colorado and Continental Divide Trails.  The trail passes through a series of clear cuts that were cut in 1988.   The thick lodgepole pine in the area average 70 to 100 years in age.  These trees, because of their density and age, are especially susceptible to disease and fire.  Small clear cut areas are designed to minimize the danger to the overall forest by creating age differences and open glades.  People are encouraged to watch this area as a new healthy ecosystem reclaims the area where the clear cut areas are.  The trail passes through an interesting evergreen forest as it climbs over Gold Hill providing views of the Upper Blue River Valley eastward and the rugged Tenmile Range to the west.  The trail difficulty is rated MODERATE.  For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet.

9.  MAYFLOWER GULCH FSR 1178 - STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS AND TRAILS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE MTN. BIKING AND HIKING.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  The trail begins at an elevation of 10,996 feet and ends at an elevation of 12,415 feet, with a highest elevation of 12,415 feet.  The elevation gain is +1,419 feet.  The first portion of this trail crosses property owned by the Climax Molybdenum Company (AMEX).  This public access is provided as a courtesy of the company.  Please respect the AMEX property and be mindful that you may encounter some mining activity.  The trail begins from the parking area by following an old mining road.  Lodgepole pine trees on either side of the road give the impression of a tunnel.  When you emerge from the trees you will see an immense amphitheater of mountains formed by the Tenmile Range.  Fletcher Mountain will be straight ahead with an elevation of 13,951 feet.  Behind Fletcher Mountain is Quandary Peak at an elevation of 14,265 feet.  The trail continues past an old mining camp called the Boston Mine.  Please help to preserve and maintain these cabins by leaving artifacts where they lay so others may enjoy them.  The trail difficulty is rated MODERATE.  For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet.  Photos of this trail may be viewed by clicking HERE.

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10.  McCULLOUGH GULCH FDT 43 - STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS AND TRAILS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE HIKING AND MTN. BIKING.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  The trail begins at an elevation of 11,102 feet and ends at an elevation of 11,921 feet, with a highest elevation of 11,922 feet.  The elevation gain is +819 feet.  Although private property exists along this trail, hikers and mountain bikers are allowed access and are asked to stay on the trail and to respect private property.  The trail is located on the northeast side of Quandary Peak, elevation 14,265 feet.  You will be hiking along the McCullough Gulch drainage.  There is a very popular waterfall just below the lake at the end of the trail that makes a great picnic site.  The trail difficulty is rated MODERATE.  For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet.

11.  MIDDLE FORK ROAD (SWAN RIVER) FDR 6 - STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS AND TRAILS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  THIS ROAD IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE MTN. BIKING, HIKING AND OHV USE.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  The road begins at an elevation of 9,915 feet and ends at an elevation of 12,052 feet (summit of Wise Mountain), with a highest elevation of 12,052 feet.  The elevation gain is +2,116 feet.  The Middle Fork Road will continue past the Tony Mine and the old mining town of Swandyke.  To your left you will be able to see Wise Mountain, your destination.  To your right is Sheep Mountain, elevation 12,495 feet.  Just to the south of Sheep Mountain you will be able to see the Continental Divide.  The Middle Fork Road provides an excellent opportunity to view the alpine environment.  The route difficulty is rated MODERATE.  For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet.  Photos of this road may be viewed by clicking HERE.

12.  MINERS CREEK FDT 38 - STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS AND TRAILS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE MTN. BIKING AND HIKING.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  The trail begins at an elevation of 10,590 feet and ends at an elevation of 11,253 feet, with a highest elevation of 11,569 feet.  The elevation gain is +663 feet.  Access to the Miners Creek Trail begins from the "TRAIL" sign at Rainbow Lake on Miners Creek Road.  The trail follows along the road and will continue through the woods at the turnaround area at the end of the road.  The actual "TRAILHEAD" begins after you have hiked approximately 3.21 miles.  The Miners Creek Trail intersects with the Colorado Trail at the trailhead and both share the same trail for the length of the trail.  Plan your hike to be off the high ridge by afternoon because dangerous thunderstorms are common in the summer.  Pack adequate water because there is very little water along this route.  Due to the length of this trail, hikers that are making the trek from Miners Creek Trailhead to the trailhead of the Wheeler National Recreation Trail, or vice versa, may want to leave a car at one of the trailheads.  The trail difficulty is rated MODERATE TO MORE DIFFICULT.  For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet.

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13.  NORTH FORK ROAD (SWAN RIVER) FDR 354 - STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS AND TRAILS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  THIS ROAD IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE MTN. BIKING, HIKING AND OHV USE.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  The road begins at an elevation of 9,792 feet and ends at an elevation of 11,566 feet, with a highest elevation of 12,622 feet.  The elevation gain is +1,774 feet.  This road is ideal for a day drive.  Approximately 3.3 miles from the beginning of the North Fork Road you will come to the ruins of the old mining camp of Rexford, just past Garibaldi Gulch.  Although North Fork Road ultimately dead-ends at the base of Glacier Mountain and you must retrace your route, the road leads to seldom used backcountry camping areas.  The North Fork Road leads you through thick areas of lodgepole pine and several clear cut areas.  An alternative route is to turn right at FDR 356 and travel to the top of Wise Mountain, elevation 12,052 feet, and loop around to the Middle Fork Road.  You will exit the Middle Fork Road close to the beginning of the North Fork Road.   The route difficulty is rated MODERATE.  For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet.

14.  PEAKS FDT 45 - STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS AND TRAILS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE MTN. BIKING AND HIKING.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  The trail begins at an elevation of 10,166 feet (Access 1 - Breckenridge) and ends at an elevation of 9,130 feet (Access 2 - Frisco), with a highest elevation of 10,234 feet.  The elevation gain is -1,036 feet.  Since the grade from Breckenridge toward Frisco is downhill, most hikers travel from Breckenridge to Frisco and ride the free Summit Stage from Frisco back to Breckenridge.  From the Breckenridge Access, notice the forest around you.  Most of the trees are lodgepole pine of the same age.  These trees provide ground cover and/or forage for wildlife in the area.  You will cross some small clearings which were harvested in 1988.  These trees were cut to increase the wildlife habitat and to improve the health of the forest by creating age and species diversity, thereby reducing the fire danger.  The trail difficulty is rated MODERATE.  For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet.

CLICK ON THE PHOTO BELOW TO VIEW LOWER PEAKS TRAIL TO RAINBOW LAKE PHOTOS

15.  PERU CREEK ROAD FDR 260 - STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS AND TRAILS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  THIS ROAD IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE MTN. BIKING, HIKING AND OHV USE.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  The road begins at an elevation of 10,025 feet and ends at an elevation of 11,305 feet, with a highest elevation of 11,305 feet.  The elevation gain is +1,280 feet.  The Peru Creek Road follows the Peru Creek Drainage to Horseshoe Basin.  After .5 miles, Morgan Peak comes into view on the right and soon thereafter the top of Copper Mountain is visible to your left across the valley.  Another mile further on you can see the Pennsylvania Mine to your right.  Travel another .88 miles and the Shoe Basin Mine will be seen to your left.  NO VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED PAST THIS POINT!  Travel another .34 miles to the Argentine Pass Trailhead.  The hiking trail then continues 1.76 miles up into Horseshoe Basin and then curves around to west to an unnamed lake.  A great deal of the Peru Creek Drainage is privately owned.  Because of this, visitors are asked to respect all private property.  The route difficulty is rated MODERATE.  For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet.

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16.  SAINTS JOHN ROAD FDR 275 - STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS AND TRAILS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  THIS ROAD IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE MTN. BIKING, HIKING AND OHV USE.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  The road begins at an elevation of 10,305 feet and ends at an elevation of 12,322 feet, with a highest elevation of 12,373 feet.  The elevation gain is +2,017 feet.  Follow Saints John Road from Montezuma toward the old mining town of Saints John for approximately .5 miles to the intersection with the Hunkidori Mine Road (FDR 276).  Bear to the left and continue toward Saints John.  The Saints John drainage offers a wide variety of recreation opportunities for the OHV enthusiast.  2 WD vehicles can easily travel to within .25 miles of Saints John making this area ideal for day hikes.  From Saints John the road continues 1.64 miles on to the Wild Irishman Mine and another .78 miles to the General Teller Mine.  Saints John was originally named Coleyville after John Coley, the man who made the first silver strike in Colorado in 1863.  In 1867 the town name was changed to the biblical name after Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist, the Patron Saint of Masonry.  Saints John was on the route between Montezuma and Breckenridge.  The town dwindled during the late 1880s and died in the 1890s.  The route difficulty is rated MODERATE.  For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet.

17.  SPRING CREEK ROAD FDR 1831 / 1832 / 1833 - ALL OF THESE ROADS BORDER THE EAGLES NEST WILDERNESS, YOU MAY NOT TAKE YOUR BIKE INTO THE WILDERNESS AREA.  STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS AND TRAILS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  THIS ROAD IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE MTN. BIKING, HIKING AND OHV USE.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  There are many roads available for use.  Road elevations and elevation gain depends on which road you are using.  The Spring Creek area offers miles of roads through beautiful spruce and fir forests.  FDR 1831 travels past Sheep Mountain, along Elliot Ridge to the Elliot Ridge Trailhead and then down toward Mahan Lake.  FDR 1832 travels through the South Fork Deep Creek and Martin Creek drainages and ends shortly after that.  FDR 1833 is a road joining FDR 1831 and FDR 1832.  The route difficulties are rated MODERATE.  For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet.

18.  SPRUCE CREEK FDT 58 - STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS AND TRAILS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE MTN. BIKING AND HIKING.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  The trail begins at an elevation of 10,174 feet and ends at an elevation of 12,096 feet, with a highest elevation of 12,111 feet.  The elevation gain is +1,922 feet.  From the parking area, the trail leads off to the left toward Spruce Creek and is marked by traditional tree blazes (removal of square-ish pieces of tree bark).  Continue on the trail through a thick lodgepole pine and aspen forest.  Approximately 1.69 miles from the trailhead you will come to the intersection with the Wheeler National Recreation Trail - WNRT (FDT 39).  Approximately 1.22 miles from the WNRT the trail rises onto a shelf with Lower Mohawk Lake nestled against the mountain walls, to the north Mt. Helen is visible.  The trail continues approximately .34 miles to Upper Mohawk Lake.  The view from the top of this trail of Mt. Helen and rugged southern section of the Tenmile Range make for a spectacular conclusion of this trail.  Please stay on the established trail, the alpine tundra is very fragile.  The trail difficulty is rated MODERATE.  For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet.  Photos of this trail may be viewed by clicking HERE.

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19.  WEBSTER PASS ROAD FDR 285 - STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS AND TRAILS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  THIS ROAD IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE MTN. BIKING, HIKING AND OHV USE.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  The road begins at an elevation of 10,590 feet and ends at an elevation of 12,083 feet, with a highest elevation of 12,098 feet.  The elevation gain is +1,493 feet.  Webster Pass Road provides OHV enthusiasts with an excellent opportunity to view the alpine environment along with spectacular views of the Continental Divide.  A loop can be made, which is shown on the ROG topo trail map.  This loop is rated "MORE DIFFICULT".  Route spotting is recommended in some places.  The loop can be made by Radical Hill to Deer Creek; or over Glacier Ridge to Saints John and back through Montezuma.  Montezuma was discovered by miners and settled during the silver boom in 1863.  Webster Pass Road was opened in 1878.  The town hit its peak in 1880 when the population reached 800.  Montezuma was incorporated in 1881.  A large portion of this route travels above timberline.  For this reason, be sure to check the weather forecast and choose a clear day for your trip.  The route difficulty is rated MODERATE TO MORE DIFFICULT.  For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet.  Photos of this road may be viewed by clicking HERE.

20.  WILLIAMS PEAK ROAD FDR 200 - STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS AND TRAILS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  THIS ROAD IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE MTN. BIKING, HIKING AND OHV USE.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  The road begins at an elevation of 7,785 feet and ends at an elevation of 10,895 feet, with a highest elevation of 11,376 feet.  The elevation gain is +3,110 feet.  Williams Peak Road takes the traveler through sage brush at the lower elevations.  Approximately 2.59 miles from the beginning of the route you will come to Haystack Mountain.  Haystack Mountain offers spectacular views of the Gore Range, the Lower Blue Valley and Green Mountain Reservoir.  Travel further on the road and you will find aspen groves mixed with stands of lodgepole pine at the higher elevations.  Use extreme caution in fall or spring.  This road becomes slick and very hazardous when the road surface becomes wet due to snow or rain.  This road travels into both the Dillon Ranger District of the White River National Forest and the Sulphur Ranger District of the Arapaho National Forest.  The route difficulty is rated MODERATE.  For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet.

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