Trail Update 06/18/24: Trail cleared if down trees fro 2.7 miles from trailhead on East Fork Road by Pagosa Ranger District Trail crew. 27 trees cleared and cut.
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Silver Creek Trail #567 Map (click here)
Length: 4.3 miles one way
Elevation Stats: Elevation Gain 2,550 ft (8,291 ft to 10,841 ft) with Ascent 2,906 ft and Descent 356 ft
Trailhead Facilities: Small Parking Lot only
Suggested Day Hike: Once you cross the creek bushwhack uphill to the left through a meadow. There is a faint partial trail at other side of meadow up to a rocky ledge, the destination local call Silver Top. The views are wonderful and this is a good place for lunch. The hike to Silver Top is 3.3 miles (6.8) round trip with 1,600 ft ascent.
Short Trail Description: From the parking lot hike about 140 yards east on old logging road. Look for a trail sign on left and follow trail as it goes north. This is an excellent trail, through trees and open meadows, with several beautiful views along the way. The trail crosses several dry creek beds and a couple of easily crossed streams. After approximately 2.5 miles and 800 ft gain in elevation the trail drops sharply downhill (good place for a break and taking in the views). Continue downhill, across a creek and up a meadow. The meadow is sometimes used as a hunters camp. The trail can get faint through meadow. The trail then heads more west and ascends through the forest. It then comes to a small creek ,you need to cross. (see Suggested Day Hike) The Silver Creek Trail then steeply ascends north up for another mile 1,200 ft more ascent to Silver Pass. Once past the creek crossing it is very steep and slippery with gravel. Suggested and
Directions to Trailhead: Drive east on Highway 160 from Forest Service office 10.2 miles. Turn onto East Fork Road (FSR # 667) drive 8.8 miles. Trail sign and small parking lot are on the left. It is pass the parking lot for Silver Falls. Trail starts on what looks like an old logging road.
Driving Direction Map: (click here)
Hiked to Silver Top on trail. There was a fair amount of timber down on the trail. It was difficult to follow the side trail to Silver Top. I couldn’t find where the Silver Creek Trail continues to the Continental Divide. But though It was a difficult hike with the obstacles and route finding, it was a good day, just me and my dog. The views from Silver Top were lovely. The road was very rough.
Bob Watkins
Thursday, July 16, 2020: We hauled our 2 horses up the East Fork Road which was much rougher than the other access roads in the area by far… to the trailhead of the Silver Creek Trail — which is in itself obscure and not marked at all. Parking area there is small with just enough room to turn around a horse trailer in. If it were not for this webpage and being able to use Natural Atlas and Google Earth I would not have been able to find the actual start of the trail — and I am not a Novice.
However the trail had been recently cleared and for the first several miles it was an enjoyable ride. Still very dry even in the woods, although silver creek was running nicely at the crossings.At the one hunting camp site site I discovered some unusual plants: One lonely burdock, one solitary red clover plant… and the biggest surprise : a very healthy looking patch of rhubarb, which I have never known to grow in high elevation mountain conditions. And no, this was not cow parsnip — I know my plants and know the difference, although there was plenty of cow parsnip as well.
We continued to ride on and upward… navigated through meadows where the trail was obscured by skunk cabbage… and then back into the timber. This trail has not seen much use, and most likely no one has hiked here since the crews were clearing in early July. Soon we reached the limits of the trail clearing as there were several patches of fallen trees to lead our horses through. However I soon became discouraged, and with clouds overhead and a light drizzle beginning… we decided to turn back. I had been hoping to go on to Silver Pass so was naturally disappointed.
No problem with our descent… and once back down we loaded our horses for the ride back. This time the East Fork road was buzzing and unrelenting with way too many OHVs roaring through and more vehicle traffic than earlier that same morning. Navigating through the potholes… I blew out a tire on my horse trailer and did some axle damage, but managed to limp out to the highway. My recommendation: do not attempt this road unless you are driving a truck or high clearance vehicle ( which I was anyway)… and you plan on driving very slowly and carefully.
Also: If you are on the Silver Creek Trail, stay on it and do not wander away. There are no trail markers whatsoever, and it is easy to lose the trail, especially in the overgrown meadows.
We need to get more folks out there to stop riding the machines and use their own two feet to discover the great wild places of Colorado. We need to introduce our children and young people to the great peace and healing of the outdoors!
Once again: kudos for the great volunteer trail crews who have done and continue to do such fantastic work clearing and maintaining these precious trails.
Thank you, and Happy Trails,
TD
Thank you for your report! I have been wondering about the condition of the East fork road since it’s been 3 years since I’ve been on it and I know the ATV traffic has increased exponentially. It’s too bad because it makes it inaccessible to other people and it’s a beautiful area.