Sawmill Creek Trail
Description:
The
Sawmill Creek Trail is an old logging road that travels from Highway 14 west
into the Rawah Wilderness. The trail begins at a road closure gait about .25
miles west of the Blue Lake Trailhead. It begins by making a moderate climb
through spruce and lodgepole pine forest. Although the first mile is in forest,
the roadbed is wide and generally sunlit. There are numerous wild strawberry
plants along the edge of the road in the lower sections. In about .3 miles
you begin to hear the rushing waters of Sawmill Creek. After about 1.1 miles
you will break out of the forest along a ridge above the Sawmill Creek drainage.
Here you'll get spectacular view of the mountain peaks in the Rawah Wilderness.
The roadbed becomes overgrown with vegetation and the trail is less distinct,
but you can easily make out the level area of the roadbed.
The
trail continues along the ridge slope into the Rawah Wilderness, crossing
two streams along the way. At the second crossing the stream actually runs
down the trail for about ten yards but is not difficult to cross. There is
a profusion of colorful wildflowers on this section of the trail. After the
second crossing you'll enter the wilderness in about .2 miles. After about
.4 miles into the wilderness the trail disappears. Some maps show it connecting
to an undefined trail, but such an intersection could not be found. Your best
bet is to turn around and head back.
Features:
| Length: |
2.8 miles (4.5 kilometers) |
| Elevation Range: |
9,552' - 10,490' |
| Elevation change: |
980 feet |
| Season: |
June 1 - Sept 30 |
| Difficulty: |
Easy to Moderate |
| Use: |
Low |
| USGS maps: |
Clark Peak, Chambers Lake |
| Trailheads: |
Blue Lake |
| Restrictions: |
Pets must be on a leash |
| Suitable for mountain bikes: |
Yes (up to the wilderness boundary) |
| Suitable for horses: |
Yes |
Vicinity Map
Altitude Profile
Other Nearby Resources:
Directions:
Take
Highway 287 north from Fort Collins to Laporte. Continue on 287 to Highway 14.
Travel west on 14 for 52 miles to the Blue Lake Trailhead. You can park at the
trailhead and hike about .25 miles south along Highway 14 for about .25 miles
to the closure gate on the right side of the highway.
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