Trail Update – 06/21 /2024 Trail cleared of downed trees to CDT trail 9.6 miles by the American Conservation Experience (ACE) trail Crew.
Please share any trail updates in the Comment section below
Please share any updates in Leave a reply below:
Williams Creek Trail Map click here
Length: 9.6-miles (one-way)
Elevation Stats: Altitude Gain 3,260ft (8,579 ft to 11,839 ft with 4,250ft Ascent and 990ft Descent)
Trailhead Facilities: Campground facilities, big parking lot and restroom
Short Trail Summary: This hike description is to junction with the Continental Divide Trail No. 813.
Another challenging hike in the Weminuche Wilderness. The first few miles of the trail have previously been described with the Spanish name Huerto: garden-like. Reaching a meadow at 2.4-miles soon pass a junction with Indian Creek Trail No. 588 from the east but continue to a crossing of Williams Creek and begin ascending more assertively in a walled canyon that bends and turns. At 7.4-miles the Williams Lake Trail No 664 veers to the northeast. Stay west, soon climbing multiple switchbacks, passing a small lake on the east and joining the Continental Divide Trail No. 813.
Directions: Drive North on Piedra Road (CR 600/FS 631) 22-miles to the intersection with the FS 640 (Williams Creek Road). Turn north and drive an additional 4.9-miles to the trailhead located at the end of the road and next to the Palisades Horse Campground.
Driving Directions detail map click here
I backpacked up last Friday 9/6/24 as far as about 6.2 miles, the nameless meadow at around 9700′ where I camped. One tree down near the start but clear the rest of the way. Returned next day and that one tree had already been cleared.
We made it the 7.4 miles to the intersection with #664, trail was completely clear of trees.
We hiked Williams Creek Trail yesterday (5/30/23) to Williams Creek, which was flowing so high & fast it was impassable. The trail was clear of downfall and was dry, with the exception of a few short sections.
Backpacked the Williams Creek Tr –> CDT –> Cimarrona Trail. There we about two dozen fallen trees on the CDT in the mile or so before the junction with Cimarrona and a few in the first half a mile coming down Cimarrona. None of them were particularly difficult obstacles.
Hiked Williams Creek trail 13AUG2022 (4th time this Summer) as far as Williams Creek. Trail clear all the way.
Did the trail to Williams Creek on 18JUL and today to the Indian creek trail junction. No blowdowns either time.
On July 9 a local outfitter and guide rode from the trailhead to the junction of Williams Lake Trail, and then up that trail, headed to the Continental Divide. Williams Creek Trail had approximately ten trees down across the trail between the Indian Creek Trail junction and the Williams Lake Trail junction. A Southwest Conservation Corps crew had cleared Williams Creek Trail from the trailhead to the Williams Lake Trail junction in early June, but they hit snow and were unable to clear from that point on. The FS hopes the crew will be able to return to clear the trail again in late July or early August.
We hiked past the 2 meadows to the river crossing. There is a lot of uphill but the beauty of the wildflowers in the meadows was worth the climb.
Rode our mules on Williams Creek trail on June 19. Didn’t go all the way to the Meadows or Creek due to approaching incoming storm. Trail was cleared with no downfall. We stopped about the 2 mile Mark. Would have loved to continue but didn’t want to chance being caught in a storm.
Does anyone know what the water levels are like right now for crossing the creek?
3 big trees down about a 1.5 from the trail head. Fairly easy to walk around.
Yesterday (Sept4) San Juan BCH cleared four trees off Williams Creek Trail between the trailhead and the junction with Indian Creek Trail. Hiker reports are no trees from there to the divide. The Forest Service was working a lightning-caused fire above us off Palisades Meadow on Indian Creek Trail with a helicopter dropping water and a hand crew on-site, we think the fire was small and was contained by the end of the day.
John, thanks for the update. Thanks for all that you and Lisa do for our trails
On June 28, Williams Creek Trail and Williams Lake Fork was clear of snow and fallen trees from the trailhead to the Continental Divide Trail
Yes, thank you Southwest Conservation Corps crew 407!
On June 23rd San Juan Back Country Horsemen crew re-cleared the trail to mile point 4.5 including the switchback area mentioned. On the same day the Southwest Conservation Corps crew started clearing the trail from that point toward the Continental Divide. They will clear both William’s Creek and William’s Lake trails this week and next.
Thanks, John.
John, do you have any information on the water level of the creek along this stretch of the trail?
On June 28, the water level was high enough to require wading at the two main crossings.
Two 14″-16″ trees down across trail on short switchbacks just above 2nd small creek crossing
Ainslie, word from the USFS is that they plan to hit Williams next week and try to clear it to the CDT; in the past, they’ve come back down Indian Creek which always seem to get lots of fallen trees. Thanks so much for your info and feedback. Rob Lambert