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Mineral County Colorado Hiking Trails
Ute Creek Trail #819
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Rio
Grande National Forest
Available to hikers, and horseback riders,
Ute Creek Trail begins with a difficult crossing of the Rio Grande, if you
choose not to use the Ski Hi Ranch foot bridge. Early summer crossings of
the river at the trailhead should not be attempted. After crossing the
river, Ute Creek Trail climbs a gentle grade along the east facing slope
of Ute Creek. After about 2 miles the trail is carved into a segment of
cliff-like area for 0.25 mile, then travels fairly parallel to Ute Creek
for about a mile. The trail then turns away from the creek and begins a
steep ascent toward Black Lake, with several switchbacks along the way.
After passing the shore of Black Lake.
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Three small creek crossings are necessary after leaving
the lake, after which the trail makes a short climb to it's junction with
the Continental Divide Trail at Twin Ute Lakes. The best camping
sites are located from Black Lake to just below Twin Ute Lakes.
To reach Ute Creek Trail from Creede Colorado, travel
southwest along CO 149 for 20.1 miles to it's intersection with FR 520
(Upper Rio Grande River Road), then travel 16 miles to the Ute Creek
Trailhead. which begins on the south bank of the Rio Grande River.
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