Trail Update as of 7/5/23: Trail Cleared is 100% been cleared of down trees.
Please share any trail updates in the Comment section below
Turkey Creek Trail Map (click here)
Length: 18 miles one way.
Elevation Stats: Elevation Gain 3,157 ft (8,293 ft to 11,450 ft with Ascent 6,238 ft and Descent 3,129)
Suggested Day Hike: Hike to open Meadows 2.4 miles( 4.8 miles round trip) with 255 ft elevation gain , ascent 564 ft descent 309 ft . This an easy hike with great nature views. It is open to ATV/50″ wide UTV to the open meadow.
Trailhead Facilities: Parking only
Short Trail Summary: This moderately difficult trail crosses several streams and some steep grades as it climbs 20 miles to the Continental Divide at Piedra Pass. The Turkey Creek Trail climbs above timberline at about 14 miles. The route that includes the Turkey Creek Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and the West Fork Trail (561) is sometimes called the Rainbow Trail.
Directions: From Forest Service Office go northeast on U.S. Highway 160 for 7.2 miles, then left on Jackson Mountain Road (NFSR 037). The trailhead is 4.5 miles at the road’s end.
Hike 580 all the way to the Turkey Creek crossing …roughly 5.3 miles on 6/24/23. One new tree down on the ATV trail that would prohibit ATVs from getting all the way to the meadow. Right inside the Wilderness boundary there is a huge tree down and then several smaller trees down before reaching the river crossing. We did not cross but could see several trees down across the river on the trail. Other than the big tree all the smaller trees could be stepped over easily.
As of 5/29/23, trail is clear to Wilderness boundary. Snowbank just before the ATV camp.
Hiked to the Wilderness boundary today. Was passed by a mountain biker about 3.5 miles in while heading up. Didn’t see him again until we were back at the ditch. Tread marks all the way to the Wilderness. He obviously rode into the Weminuche. It’s unfortunate. Makes all mountain bikers (which I am one) look bad.
As of 5/29/22 trail is clear to the Wilderness boundary
As of 5/22/22 trail is clear 4 miles in from the trailhead
As of 5/15/22 trail is clear about 3 miles in from the trailhead
4.7 miles in on the equestrian trail there is a large downed tree across the trail with no way to go around. There is another downed tree before this one but we were able to cross it. Some horses may not.
I see that it goes through private property near the trailhead. Do I need to get permission from the landowner to pass through on the trail?
As of 5/23/21, trail is cleared to Wilderness boundary (approx 5 miles). Snow patches have melted.
As of May 16, 2021, trail is clear four miles up. Some patches of snow particularly just before the camping area below the ATV trail.
6/19/20. Trail is clear to the river. Cleared a bunch of brush on trail. Tread work on a section of trail that was falling away. Cut out several big trees. Worked on drainage in bogs. Rocky and Kelli Day.
Thanks, Kelly and Rocky, you guys are great! Rob
How far is it from the trail head to the actual creek or river?
As of May 10, 2020 Turkey Creek Trail is open from the trailhead to the Wilderness boundary, a distance of about five miles, and courtesy of the Phantom Trail Crew.
Thanks Phantom Trail Crew. Plan to check it out in the morning.