Pagosa Springs, CO – Hiking options abound from Pagosa Springs. During our June 2020 visit, we hiked 4 trails accessing the Weminuche Wilderness including: CDT at Wolf Creek Pass, Turkey Creek, West Fork, and Fourmile Falls. These trails are described below. We also hiked the CDT Trail at Elwood Pass to Long Trek Mountain, and Piedra River and Little Blanco Trails. On a prior trip to Pagosa Springs we hiked at Treasure Falls/Treasure Mountain, Reservoir Hill/Turkey Springs, and Flattop Mountain.
To pick our hikes, we used Falcon Guide’s: Hiking Colorado’s Weminuche and South San Juan Wilderness Areas by Donna Ikenberry in selecting our trails. We also referenced National Geographic Trails Illustrated Maps: #145: Pagosa Springs, Bayfield and #140: Weminuche Wilderness.
The Weminuche Wilderness Area of the San Juan National Forest comprises 499,771 acres. It’s named after a band of Ute Native Americans who lived, hunted, and fished in the region. Weminuche was first designated a wilderness area in 1975. The Weminuche Wilderness sits in the heart of the San Juan Mountains in the middle of the area surrounded by Pagosa Springs, Durango, Silverton, Creede, and South Fork, Colorado. Eighty-five miles of the Continental Divide Trail travels through the Weminuche Wilderness.
CDT at Wolf Creek Pass – Trail # 813
Scenic mountain views from the CDT at Wolf Creek Pass
We first hiked this section of CDT trail in 2018. This section of trail offers top of the world views. We wrote about it in a post titled: Rocky Mountain High. From Wolf Creek Pass, you can head north or south on the CDT. We’ve hiked north on both trips. Hiking in the first week of June 2020, there was still quite a bit of snow at the higher elevations. Later in the season you can park at Lobo Overlook (gravel access road on the east side of Wolf Creek Pass) which saves about 800 feet of elevation gain, starting at 11,200 feet. The Weminuche Wilderness Boundary is reached about 2.7 miles from the pass.
View of CO Highway 160 and surrounding mountains from the CDT at Wolf Creek Pass
Continental Divide Trail at Wolf Creek
To hike on the CDT, head east from Pagosa Springs for about 23 miles to Wolf Creek Pass. The trail heads north across Highway 160 from the Wolf Creek Pass sign.
Wolf Creek Pass sign
Wolf Creek Pass
Turkey Creek Trail – Trail # 580
Along the trail
Aspen grove along Turkey Creek Trail
Turkey Creek Trail travels 20.3 miles from its Trailhead to the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) at Piedra Pass. The trail starts at an elevation of 8,240 feet and climbs over 4,600 feet to the CDT. There are several stream/creek crossings and some steep grades enroute to Piedra Pass. We opted to day hike to the Weminuche Wilderness Boundary reached at 5.2 miles.
The Turkey Creek Trailhead
Stream crossing along the trail
Along the Turkey Creek Trail
From the trailhead descend to a gate which you should close behind you. Climb through spruce and pine forest for 2.8 miles where you will cross a stream. You will travel through lush meadows with aspen and wild flowers. Views of Saddle Mountain, elevation 12,033, will open up by about 3 miles. After the wilderness boundary you will need to ford Turkey Creek, which will result in wet feet almost anytime of year. Creek/stream crossings can be high in spring/early summer due to snow melt from higher elevations. This trail was a mix of shaded and open sunny areas.
Mule deer we spotted along Turkey Creek
Another view
To reach Turkey Creek Trail, take Highway 160 east from Pagosa Springs for about 7 miles and turn left onto Jackson Mountain Road (FS 037). Follow the gravel Jackson Mountain Road to its end at about 4 miles where there is ample trailhead parking.
West Fork San Juan Trail – Trail # 561
West Fork Trail
West Fork Trail traverses the San Juan Valley for 13 miles and ascends 3,600 feet to Piedra Pass. The trailhead is at 9,040 feet elevation. We opted to day hike the first 3.5 miles which gains about 800 feet of elevation. From the trailhead, the first 1.2 miles crosses along private property, so stay on the trail (it is well marked). You will pass 3 cabins and then fork to the right. After 1.2 miles, you enter the National Forest. The trail climbs through a prior burn area with mostly moderate grade.
West Fork Trailhead sign
Along the West Fork Trail
You enter the Weminuche Wilderness at 1.6 miles and cross over Burro Creek on a bridge. There are meadows lush with aspen, false hellebore and an array of wild flowers. Sheep Mountain, elevation 12,369 feet, dominates the views at the beginning of the trail, which parallels the West Fork of the San Juan River traveling high above with views possible after the first mile. This was a great early season hike due to its lower elevation, bridges on creek crossings, and plenty of sun exposure to melt snow early.
View of the San Juan Valley from West Fork Trail
Another view
The trail travels through meadows of Aspen and False Hellebore
West Fork Trail view of mountains and False Hellebore
The trail enters the Weminuche Wilderness at 1.6 miles
West Fork Trail view
Western Tanager spotted along the trail
The trailhead is reached by traveling east on Highway 160 from Pagosa Springs to West Fork Road (FS 648). Turn left onto the gravel West Fork Road and travel 3 miles past a campground to the parking area at a gate. After your hike, don’t forget to look for Treasure Falls across the valley as you return to CO Highway 160.
Treasure Falls from West Fork Road
Fourmile Falls Trail – Trail # 569
Lower falls of the Fourmile Falls Trail
The popular hike to Fourmile Falls is about 3 miles each way. In early season you may get your feet wet on creek crossings between the lower and upper falls. The trail is gently rolling through woods. The lower falls were very nice in early June. The creek crossing past the lower falls was sketchy due to high snow melt when we hiked it.
Along Fourmile Falls Trail with two falls visible in the distance
From Fourmile Falls Trail
To reach Fourmile Falls Trail, take Lewis Street north in town, veer left immediately on 5th Street; stay right on Fourmile Road (CR 400/FS645) at 8 miles; right at the junction to the trailhead which is at 9,200 feet elevation.
We stayed at Wolf Creek Class A Motorcoach Resort while visiting Pagosa Springs. Here’s a post for a scenic loop drive through the Rio Grande National Forest. If you are looking for another scenic route, the Plumtaw/Piedra/Williams Creek Scenic Drive showcases the region’s mountains, valleys and the Piedra River. You can also check out the East Fork area.
