Durango, CO: South Fork Roaring Gulch

South Fork Roaring Gulch

Dist: 22.26 mi	Points: 956	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

SFL001

Location: 37.231466°, -106.463900°
The South Fork Roaring Gulch Loop begins on Trail 724 with a short downhill to the Conejos River. Be sure to sign the register at the South Fork Trailhead.

SFL002

Location: 37.227119°, -106.468308°
Cross the Conejos River at mile 0.4 and continue on the signed South Fork trail through an open, grass-covered valley before veering north and beginning an easy, uphill workout.

SFL003

Location: 37.230606°, -106.470915°
Pass through a small gate at mile 0.7 and continue on the gradual uphill.

SFL004

Location: 37.233879°, -106.473895°
Turn left @ Y-junction to follow Trail 724 and begin this route's loop section. A few use-trails branch uphill to the right, but stay left to follow the faint trail west through aspen-scattered meadows.

SFL005

Location: 37.226911°, -106.509275°
Even in July, the braided flow of this Hansen Creek crossing may require shoe removal to stay dry. It is worthwhile to check with rangers before your trip to discuss snow-melt conditions and come prepared for safe stream crossings.

SFL006

Location: 37.222059°, -106.510812°
This meadow campsite at mile 3.7 sits beside a gurgling set of rapids. From here, the trail turns uphill, passes through another gate, and rises from the creekbed, clinging to the walls of South Fork Canyon.

SFL007

Location: 37.216114°, -106.516392°
Pass through this second gate before entering the the South Fork Conejos River narrows.

SFL008

Location: 37.217302°, -106.541140°
Continue west on the overgrown Trail 724 @ 3-way junction. There are several good campsites in this area at the base of Canon Verde: one in the meadows just south of the trail junction and another farther downhill near the river.

SFL009

Location: 37.225938°, -106.569636°
A few interesting geological features--an andesite talus slope at mile 6.4 and a volcanic outcropping at mile 7.3--and another campsite precede this wet crossing of Conon Rincon. From here, the trail continues climbing toward Conejos Peak.

SFL010

Location: 37.260894°, -106.578259°
Several trails converge in this alpine meadow that marks the loop's half-way point. This route continues north on trail 722, a faint, cairn-marked path heading toward the east side of the eastern Twin Lake. You'll bypass trails toward Glacier and Timber Lakes, and an unnamed trail to the western Twin Lake. Just uphill from the junction is a campsite that would provide valuable shelter from afternoon storms.

SFL011

Location: 37.268483°, -106.573954°
The path gets more prominent as it approaches this 360-degree viewpoint. Take it all in: To the south, the valley you just ascended and a plateau of alpine lakes; to the west, Twin Lakes; to the north, Conejos Peak; and to the east, a stretch of flower-filled alpine meadow.

SFL012

Location: 37.277440°, -106.564454°
The trail skirts a couple of unnamed ponds below Conejos Peak before crossing Hansen Creek's upper reaches and turning right at this Y-junction toward Roaring Gulch.

SFL013

Location: 37.276665°, -106.555103°
Turn right @ Y-junction onto Trail 720, heading southeast to complete this loop route. The left-hand trail heads north to Saddle Creek and an alternative trailhead on Forest Road 105.

SFL014

Location: 37.258160°, -106.521622°
The cairn-marked trail disappears occasionally along the mostly-flat, several mile stretch of tree-scattered alpine meadow before-and after-these ruins near mile 15.9. The post here marks the abandoned trail west to Bear Lake, but this route continues east across the creek to begin descending toward the trailhead. Scattered trees and snow can make the trail difficult to follow, so look for blazes marking the route.

SFL015

Location: 37.252717°, -106.493828°
A first set of downhill switchbacks ends at the top of this long, narrow meadow. At the meadow's base is a trail junction: Bypass the Bear Lake Trail and continue downhill through dense aspen groves toward another set of long, sweeping turns.

SFL016

Location: 37.239046°, -106.477008°
Less than half a mile from loop's end (1.5 miles from the trailhead), you'll pass through another gate above the Conejos River.

Trailhead

Location: 37.231388°, -106.463957°
The signed trailhead where this 21-mile loop begins. © Charlie Williams

Cabin

Location: 37.229320°, -106.464579°
The trail skirts a log cabin just downhill from the trailhead. © Charlie Williams

South Fork

Location: 37.227082°, -106.468077°
The signed trail crosses a large field on the west side of the Conejos River. © Charlie Williams

Aspen

Location: 37.233335°, -106.494255°
Crowded corn lilies cover the ground in this area's meadow-bound aspen groves. © Charlie Williams

Campsite

Location: 37.221991°, -106.510820°
This meadow-side campsite is a good stopping point for hikers looking to acclimatize to the altitude, or who got a late start from the trailhead. © Charlie Williams

Trail 726

Location: 37.217240°, -106.540990°
Trail 726 heads south to a couple of good campsites, but this mapped route follows the westbound trail instead. © Charlie Williams

Views

Location: 37.260802°, -106.578026°
Alpine meadows above 11,500 feet offer excellent views of surrounding peaks. © Charlie Williams

Twin Lakes

Location: 37.267428°, -106.575708°
The Twin Lakes, nestled in a bowl-shaped basin. © Charlie Williams

Elk

Location: 37.272960°, -106.569786°
In the alpine meadows above Twin Lakes in mid-summer, you might spot herds of elk like this 100-head group. © Charlie Williams

Conejos Peak

Location: 37.273916°, -106.568756°
Views of 13,172-foot Conejos Peak from the loop's northwestern apex. © Charlie Williams

Vista

Location: 37.270638°, -106.535454°
Unobstructed views from the 11,000-foot alpine meadows characterize this several-mile stretch of trail. © Charlie Williams

Cabin Ruins

Location: 37.258001°, -106.521378°
Though pleasant in the summer, this harsh alpine environment proved too much for residents of this long-abandoned cabin. © Charlie Williams

Aspen

Location: 37.246660°, -106.486402°
Magical groves of aspen in the upper reaches of Roaring Gulch. © Charlie Williams