Pagosa Springs, CO – The East Fork Road of the San Juan National Forest is reached by traveling 12 miles east of the town of Pagosa Springs on Highway 160. Turn right onto East Fork Road also known as Forest Service Road #667. The first several miles of this route are suitable for passenger cars, after that a high clearance vehicle and 4WD are recommended.
San Juan National Forest Roads are usually well signed
East Fork Road travels along the East Fork of the San Juan River through a canyon that opens up into a wide valley. The San Juan National Forest Service maintains a campground near the beginning of the road. We saw many people fishing as we headed back the unpaved, rocky, potholed, washboard route. There are several hiking trails along the drive including: Sand Creek, Silver Falls, Treasure Mountain, Quartz Ridge, and Quartz Meadows Trails.
View of East Fork Road area
Part of the road travels through private land that is well marked with signs indicating to stay in your vehicle while in that section. There are great mountain and river views throughout the trip. There are also several water crossings which according to the National Forest Service can be hazardous particularly when running high in early spring. We had 4 creek crossings to get to the end of the Quartz Meadows fork. Most crossings were very shallow and about 15 feet across, but the largest one was about 30 feet across and 10 inches deep.
East Fork of the San Juan River
Along East Fork Road
The beautiful valley and San Juan mountains
Looking back at the valley from the Quartz Creek Canyon area
At the intersection about 12 miles from the start, there’s a signed split to choose between Elwood Pass or Quartz Meadows, it is important to know that the route to Elwood Pass is a serious 4WD road that requires a high clearance vehicle. According to reviews, the route to Elwood Pass is steep, technical, narrow with drop offs, and should not be taken by inexperienced drivers. Those with experience who travel the route will cross Elwood Pass and arrive onto FS #380 in the Rio Grande National Forest. By turning left onto FS #380 and following it about 19 miles back to Highway 160 and then heading left onto Hwy 160 a loop back to Pagosa Springs can be completed.
The decision to travel to Elwood Pass should not be made lightly as it is a serious 4WD route
We toured East Fork Road while staying at the Wolf Creek Run Motor Coach Resort in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. While staying in Pagosa Springs, we also hiked on the Continental Divide Trail at Wolf Creek Pass, hiked to Flattop Saddle, spent time on the trails at Reservoir Hill Park and Turkey Springs, visited Treasure Falls & Treasure Mountain, and drove a 100+mile scenic loop through the Rio Grande National Forest.
