East Bellows Trail #790

Rio Grande National Forest

Available to hikers, ATVs and motorcycles, East Bellows Trail provides good hiking access to Wheeler Geologic Area, Halfmoon pass, and La Garita Wilderness. Camping areas are not hard to find along the trail.

Two segments of East Bellows Trail are drivable with 4WD.

After arriving at Hanson's Mill, those planning to hike to Wheeler Geologic Area should travel along the 4WD road heading in a northeasterly direction. After about 0.25 mile this road will fork, follow the left (west) fork for about a mile down into the East Bellows Creek drainage.

The foot trail will begin just before this road reaches the creek. Shortly after the trail begins, it crosses East Bellows Creek, after which the trail travels up the west fork of East Bellows Creek (Canon Nieve). After an additional 0.5 mile, the trail will fork at a signed junction. Take the fork heading west for the best traveling to Wheeler. the trail will make a gradual climb through open parks before joining the 4WD access road to Wheeler. Follow the road west for about a mile to it's end at a pole fence in a small meadow below Wheeler Geologic Area.

To reach East Bellows Trail from Creede Colorado, travel southeast along CO 149 for 7.3 miles to the intersection of CO149 & FR600 (Pool Table Road). Continue northwest along Pool Table Road for 9.5 miles to Hanson's Mill camping area. Starting at Hanson's Mill, the first 1.75 miles follows a 4WD road down towards East Bellows Creek.