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 OHV USERS:

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.  Avoid running over young trees, shrubs and grasses.  Stay off soft, wet roads and trails - they can easily be torn up by vehicles (especially during the hunting season).  Repairing the damage is expensive and time consuming, requiring the access to be closed.  Resist the urge to pioneer a new road, trail or cut across a switchback.  Obey gate closures and regulatory signs.  Vandalism costs tax dollars.  A spark arrestor must be on the vehicle along with a working muffler.  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 TREAD LIGHTLY.

If you see a particular OHV trail the 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 ROUTES

8.  DEER CREEK ROAD FDR 5 - THIS ROAD IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE OHV USE, HIKING AND MTN. BIKING.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  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

9.  INDIANA CREEK ROAD FDR 593 - THIS ROAD IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE OHV USE, HIKING AND MTN. BIKING.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  The road begins at an elevation of 10,413 feet and ends at an elevation of 11,195 feet, with a highest elevation of 11,195 feet.  The elevation gain is +782 feet.  Indiana Creek Road is a pleasant drive up to Boreas Pass Road (County Road 10), which can then take you back toward Breckenridge (left) or over Boreas Pass Road to Como in Park County (right).  OHV enthusiasts can also travel to the old mining town of Dyersville and the Warriors Mark Mine.  Travel approximately 1.33 miles from the beginning of the unpaved portion of Indiana Creek Road and turn right on the road to Dyersville (FDR 597).  Dyersville is approximately .21 miles on the left.  The Warriors Mark Mine is another .10 miles further.  Turn left and the mine will be straight ahead.  Please be careful around Dyersville and Warriors Mark Mine.  Another popular route involves making a loop from Indiana Creek Road to Pennsylvania Creek Road (FDR 611) which will take you back down to HWY 9.  Turn right on Pennsylvania Creek Road immediately after the beginning of the unpaved portion of Indiana Creek Road.  The route difficulty is rated MODERATE (CLOSE CLEARANCE BETWEEN TREES).  For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet.

10.  MIDDLE FORK ROAD (SWAN RIVER) FDR 6 - THIS ROAD IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE OHV USE, HIKING AND MTN. BIKING.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  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.

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11.  NORTH FORK ROAD (SWAN RIVER) FDR 354 - THIS ROAD IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE OHV USE, HIKING AND MTN. BIKING.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  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.

12.  PENNSYLVANIA CREEK ROAD FDR 611 - THIS ROAD IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE OHV USE, HIKING AND MTN. BIKING.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  The road begins at an elevation of 10,037 feet and ends at an elevation of 11,195 feet, with a highest elevation of 11,195 feet.  The elevation gain is +1,165 feet.  Pennsylvania Creek Road is a pleasant drive up to Boreas Pass Road (County Road 10), which can then take you back toward Breckenridge (left) or over Boreas Pass Road to Como in Park County (right).  OHV enthusiasts can also travel to the old mining town of Dyersville and the Warriors Mark Mine.  Turn right on Indiana Creek Road (FDR 593) approximately 3.93 miles from the end of the paved portion of Coronet Drive.  Travel approximately 1.26 miles and turn right on the road to Dyersville (FDR 597).  Dyersville is approximately .21 miles on the left.  The Warriors Mark Mine is another .10 miles further.  Turn left and the mine will be straight ahead.  Please be careful around Dyersville and the Warriors Mark Mine.  Another popular route involves making a loop from Pennsylvania Creek Road to Indiana Creek Road (FDR 593) which will take you back down to HWY 9.  Turn left on Indiana Creek Road approximately 3.93 miles from the end of the paved portion of Coronet Drive.  The route difficulty is rated MODERATE (CLOSE CLEARANCE BETWEEN TREES).  For directions and a topographic map please see the ROG sheet.

13.  SAINTS JOHN ROAD FDR 275 - THIS ROAD IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE OHV USE, HIKING AND MTN. BIKING.  PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.  STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS TO PREVENT RESOURCE DAMAGE.  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.

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