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The distance between Tennessee Pass and Twin Lakes via the Colorado Trail (CT) is 33 miles. This portion of the CT was built during the 1930s as a Civilian Conservation Corps project and until recently was known as the Main Range Trail. This trail segment is easy to moderate in effort. The CT parallels the east side of the Continental Divide creating many scenic views for the backpacker. There are at least seven side trails which will allow you and your troop to exit back to civilization if you have problems. By starting on Tennessee Pass you have an elevation advantage compared to other possible starting points. Note: It should be pointed out that many of the campsite locations identified in this article can be used for an overnight backpack trip using one of the seven side trails for entrance. How to get there: Drive north from Leadville on US 24 to the top of Tennessee Pass. A large parking area is provided on the west side of the pass and restroom facilities are available at the parking lot, noted on the “West Tennessee Creek” map as (P)4. Tennessee Pass to FSR131 - The CT, at the parking lot on Tennessee Pass, starts about 100 feet east of the restroom facilities behind the Forest Service bulletin board. Don’t be confused by the Powder Horn Trail which starts here also. To distinguish the difference the CT has a gradual decline while the Powder Horn works its way up a ridge. Follow the CT, FS1776, through a forested area soon losing the highway noise from US 24 The trail goes gradually downhill for 2.7 miles until you cross Wurts Ditch Road. Continue across the road, downhill and under power lines for another .5 mile, cross FS100 and FSR131. The CT at this point follows an unnumbered Forest Service road south .5 mile, you will cross the North Fork of West Tennessee Creek and West Tennessee Creek. The first good campsite is noted on the “West Tennessee Creek” map as campsite 2. Two camping areas are located along the road between these two creeks. Segment Total - 3.2 miles Total from Start - 3.2 miles<./br> FSR131 to FSR107 (St. Kevin Trailhead, also known as Bear Creek Trailhead) - Within 100 feet of crossing West Tennessee Creek the CT will turn right from the road and head southwest through the trees (easy to miss). The trail merges with an old logging road. The trail is not steep, but is a steady incline for the first 1.5 miles, then levels off for .25 miles, and there is a 1-mile descent onto the valley floor of Longs Gulch. Continue west on the CT; the forest will gradually open up into a grassy meadow. There will be a Holy Cross Wilderness sign and a sign-in sheet. The remains of an old cabin appear on your left; only its walls are standing. Below the cabin along the stream are several good spots to set up tents, noted on the “West Tennessee Creek” map as campsite 4. In another mile, the CT will take you over an unnamed ridge. On top of the ridge are two lakes and campsites, noted on the “West Tennessee Creek “ map as campsite 5. The views are really neat from the top of this ridge, but you are more exposed to the weather elements From the top of this ridge you descend into a valley named Porcupine Gulch. There is good drinking water available from this stream; fill up your water bottle, it will be a couple of miles before the next stream at St. Kevin Trailhead. Hike up to the next ridge which is a fairly steep climb including some switchbacks. At the top of the ridge take a rest and look around. Look carefully, Scouts and leaders have found several old military artifacts in this area. Heading south off the ridge the CT is another old road and descends to the next valley floor. You will pass through a forest service gate at the bottom and come out at the St. Kevin Trailhead on FSR107. The CT follows this road for only a short distance and exits to the south of the road. You will immediately cross a stream; a good campsite is located on the south side of this stream and 100 yards downstream, noted on the “Turquoise Lake” map as campsite 6. If you look north along the ridge you will see one of the 10th Mountain Huts, it is called “Uncle Bud’s Hut”. Note: There currently are fourteen of these huts located in the region for cross-country ski travelers and mountain bikers. Reservations as much as a year in advance, are usually required if you need a particular date. (Reference the end of the cross-country section, 7- 11, in this chapter, for more information and the phone number to make inquiries or reservations.) FSR107 (St. Kevin Trailhead) to Turquoise Lake - Follow the CT along the edge of the meadow. In 800\' the trail becomes rocky as it enters the forest and descends into the Bear Creek drainage. As you get closer to Bear Lake the trail seems to vanish at times into the rocks and foliage. The CT passes Bear Lake several hundred feet to the west. Between the trail and the lake are campsites, noted on the “Turquoise Lake” map as campsite 7. As the CT leaves Bear Lake it continues through a dense forest passing three small lakes. The trail climbs a ridge with a large number of switchbacks until it reaches the top of the ridge. The descent to Turquoise Lake starts above the timberline and enters a lodgepole pine forest. Eventually, you pass over Mill Creek then down the final descent to a gravel road which is 1 mile west of the upper end of Turquoise Lake, (P)6. Hike across the road to the bulletin board. Precede southwest on the remains of an old road and you will see, on your left, where the CT crosses the swift-flowing stream using a footbridge. The trail then turns southeast into a cool spruce forest. A backpack campsite with water is noted on the map as campsite 8. Segment Total - 3.4 miles Total from Start -12.8 miles Turquoise Lake to Rock Creek - The Colorado Trail parallels the lake for about 2 miles gradually veering away from the lake. The trail passes two streams, Glacier Creek and Bush Creek (good drinking water), then ascends to the old Hagerman Pass Road. The CT crosses the road, continues south, and climbs steadily through lodgepole pines. Several open areas along the way provide great views to the north and of the Continental Divide. Eventually, you reach the saddle just west of Sugarloaf Mountain where the trail crosses an old logging road and under some power lines. Just south of the power lines is a clear-cut timbered area, but soon the trail enters a spruce and fir forest containing large older-growth trees. There are recesses that are cool and damp and several streams crossing the trail on the way to Rock Creek. In about 2 miles you reach another ridge just west of Twin Mounds. At this point, you start your descent south into the Rock Creek drainage. The trail turns into an old road and gradually levels off. You pass the trail that parallels the northern edge of the National Fish Hatchery; Kearney Park is on your right, and the CT turns to your right and follows along the south side of the park. You can camp at Kearney Park, campsite 9, but there is water only in the early part of the season. The trail turns south again and does its final descent to the north bank of Rock Creek. This is by far a better camping area, noted on the map as campsite 10. Several groups can camp here at the same time; there is always plenty of good water, and level campsites and firewood are available. The trail along the south side of the National Fish Hatchery starts here and parallels the north side of Rock Creek back to the Hatchery and civilization. Segment Total - 6.6 miles Total from Start -19.4 miles Rock Creek to Halfmoon Creek - The CT crosses Rock Creek on a sturdy bridge and continues south. The CT will cross three streams that usually have water flowing (good drinking water). In about 1.8 miles the Highline Trail (FS1489) crosses the CT. You can exit from the CT by taking the eastward leg of this trail. Continuing south on the CT for another 1.9 miles you pass the Mt. Massive Trail (FS1379). It is 3.5 miles one-way and 3,180\' elevation gain to make it to the top of Mt. Massive from this trail intersection. Continue south for another .3 miles down a steep descent to the Halfmoon Creek Valley. Both parking and camping is available, reference the “Halfmoon Creek” map, noted as (P)9, and campsites 11 and 12. Segment Total - 7 miles Total from Start - 26.4 miles Halfmoon Creek to Twin Lakes - The CT crosses FSR110 and continues south. This part of the CT is well used because it is the most direct route to Mt. Elbert. In .7 mile you will cross the northeast ridge trail that leads to the summit of Mt. Elbert. Continue south, the trail joins an old road for about .5 mile. You will pass another trail to Mt. Elbert just before you cross Herrington Creek. You then pass through an elongated meadow and over a broad saddle. Descend through an aspen meadow, stay to the right where the trail splits above the Lily Ponds. Circle to the west of the Lily Ponds. The CT will turn east and onto a four wheel drive road. In about 1.5 miles you will exit the trail at CR24 or you can continue another .4 mile to CO82. You can park on either of these roads, reference “Twin Lakes” map as (P)10 and (P)11. 7-10 Segment Total - 6.7 miles Total from Start - 33.1 miles
Created on: 2024-09-07 21:54:57
Last edited by: rhall290472 On: 2024-09-25 15:00:12