Trail update as of 05/21/24 : Trail cleared 3 miles to the falls by the Pagosa Ranger District trail crew: 56 trees cleared
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Length: The entire trail is 8 miles one-way. The suggested day hike to the falls is 3.5 miles one-way for a 7 mile round trip
Elevation Stats: For the suggested day hike the trail starts by descending 215′ and then climbs 567′ to the turnaround point.
Trailhead Facilities: Vault toilet and horse trailer parking lot
Suggested Day Hike: Fourmile Falls 3.5 miles (7 miles round trip)
This trail is a popular destination hike and follows an old stock driveway. The trailhead is shared with the Anderson Trail No. 579. This hike can be done as a loop with Anderson Trail as an overnight or long day trip. Approximately 13.4 miles to complete the loop.
From the trailhead, take the east trail that gradually descends and reaches the Weminuche Wilderness boundary. Passing through meadows the trail soon opens to views of Eagle Mountain to the east (right) before closing into dense forest cover. At 3.2-miles, the trail passes a waterfall on Falls Creek that drops nearly 300-feet. Continuing a couple of hundred yards up a steeper rocky section you will soon discover the big, thundering waterfall of Fourmile Creek as is heard and seen as the trail continues into a narrow gorge. Suggested day hike ends here; retrace your route to the trailhead.
To continue farther on Trail #569, continue up the steep climb to the north. Cross the creek three additional times before reaching the intersection with the Anderson Trail No. 579 at 4.9-miles. Turning east (right) at the junction, the trail will climb a steep gulch around Cherry Cairn before crossing an 11,920′ pass into the Turkey Creek drainage. Reaching the switchbacks expect to descend 800′ to Turkey Creek Lake which is reached at 6.5-miles before a short ascent up a steep hillside to Turkey Creek Trail No. 580 at approximately mile 8.
Driving directions: From US 160 in downtown Pagosa Springs, turn north onto Lewis Street and take an immediate left onto 5th Street. Stay right on Fourmile Road (CR 400) which will then turn into FS 645. Drive north 8.4-miles before turning right at a signed junction. Continue 4.6-miles to a shared trailhead with the Anderson Trail. The first parking lot you encounter is for horses, continue on up the road a short distance for the main lot for hikers.
Hiked the 3.5 / 7.0 mile route on 8-23-21. No problem with downed trees (there was one tree in a location that made me think “not sure how a horse is getting around that one – because it was on a slope). Wonderful views and excellent trail (although I’ll admit I hated the climb at the end). And for those who know the area – looking across the valley I saw spires that remind me of Wheeler Geologic Area . . . so similar volcanic history in the Fourmile Falls area?
July 22, 2020: Today we rode our two horses up to the vantage viewpoint Overlook at FourMile Falls.
Upon arrival at the trailhead we were pleased to find an ample parking area for horses trailers, with good turn-around options… hitching posts, and a stock bypass leading over to the main trail ahead.
Once again I was impressed by just how many fallen trees had been cleared along the way. Kudos to the trail crews who work tirelessly to keep these areas open. The folks that were hiking were also very nice, stepped away to let us pass, and there were no issues anywhere to be found. Nice to see families with young children hiking together as a group. The trail does get very bad towards the end as you make your ascent from the second falls up towards FourMile Falls. But… we have excellent trail horses and we did it. From this point I was able to lead my own horse up the narrow trail another 200 or more yards before turning back. I can attach a photo here if I knew how.
There is one trail detour that is not well-marked, and at least half the hikers made the same mistake as we did ourselves — then having to climb over several tree trunks and other hazards to proceed ahead.
This trail really needs some markers at some critical points… and has a lot of loose rock in places. However I would not be deterred from enjoying this trail to the fullest — as the views and grand aspect of both of the Falls are well worth the effort.
Thanks,
TD
The trees blocking the trail just prior to the final ascent to the Falls were cleared on June 21. We had to push our packs in front of us and crawl under the mess when outbound on June 20, but the obstacles were gone on our return the next day.
Thank you, R Sanford, for your info on Fourmile Falls and Williams Creek Trails… its a big help to the crews, especially on Williams Creek Trail
On june 20 there are trees blocking the last part of the trail to the falls that you must climb over — if we were on the right trail at that point. No signs, so who knows? The trail description should mention that the last 1/2 mile is steep and scrambly. Descent is at your own risk.
Thanks, Lynn, for your info and thoughts. The trail definitely needs tread improvement as it approaches the falls. Right now the big push is just trying to keep it open from trees falling across the tread.
On Sunday, May 24th, a San Juan Back Country Horsemen crew cleared the trail from the trailhead in to the Wilderness boundary.
Horseback riders from Silver Buckle Stables rode the trail Friday, May 22nd and reported the 9 or 10 trees down that are mentioned above, added that some of the downed trees were difficult to get around on a horse.