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CDT - Wolf Creek Pass to Trout Lake out by Williams Creek
Narrative and pictures of points along the Continental Divide Trail from Wolf Creek Pass, CO, northbound to vicinity of Trout Lake, then down Williams Creek Trail in the San Juan Mountains.
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| Author: | Wolf15CO |
| Activity: | Backpacking |
| State: | Colorado (CO) |
| Distance: | 43.29 mi |
| Difficulty: | 5 / 10 |
| Rating: | Unrated |
CDT - Wolf Creek Pass to Trout Lake - Exit via Williams Creek Trail - 43 trail miles total with 11,500 ft of elevation gain overall. All waypoints are from GPS. This section of the Continental Divide Trail runs through spruce-fir forest about half the time and is in open alpine tundra the other half. Much of the spruce is dead or dying from a spruce beetle insect outbreak. The trail is easy to follow and but for a few exceptions is not steep.It varies in elevation from a little less than 11,000 feet to just under 13,000 feet. Water sources are not abundant but can be found periodically during a days hike (see waypoint entries).
TO TRAILHEAD: Start at the continental divide on CO Hwy 160, 23 miles east of Pagosa Springs. Optional starting point is at Lobo Overlook which is a 3 mile long dirt road on the north side of Hwy 160 just east of Wolf Creek Pass. Starting at Lobo Overlook avoids a 750 ft climb. Park other car at Williams Creek Trailhead. Access Williams Creek Trailhead via Piedra Road (4 miles west of Pagosa Springs). It is 26 miles from Hwy 160 to the trailhead on a well-maintained gravel road. Total shuttle is 53 miles and takes 1hr 20 min. Track is hand drawn and not from GPS.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Track 0
| Distance: 3.09 mi | Points: 72 |
Track 1
| Distance: 5.52 mi | Points: 126 |
Track 2
| Distance: 4.96 mi | Points: 113 |
Track 3
| Distance: 2.77 mi | Points: 65 |
Track 4
| Distance: 3.51 mi | Points: 80 |
Track 5
| Distance: 3.23 mi | Points: 75 |
Track 6
| Distance: 4.54 mi | Points: 98 |
Track 7
| Distance: 5.46 mi | Points: 118 |
Track 8
| Distance: 5.18 mi | Points: 117 |
Track 9
| Distance: 3.20 mi | Points: 65 |
Track 10
| Distance: 1.82 mi | Points: 39 |
Points of Interest
CDT018 TEAM
Location: 37.571636, -107.001465Team 15c and Team 50b share a campsite. Top Row: Ray Murray, Brian Kemp, Mark O'Neal. Bottom Row: Phil Kemp, Steve Peralta
WCT005a
Location: 37.541351, -107.197517Team 15c (Wolfpack): Phil Kemp, Brian Kemp and Mark O'Neal
CDT001
Location: 37.482998, -106.801605Trailhead at Wolf Creek Pass on Hwy 160. Trail to north is directly across Hwy 160. Alternate trail parking can be found at Lobo Overlook
CDT001
Location: 37.483040, -106.801666Trailhead at Wolf Creek Pass on Hwy 160. Trail to north is directly across Hwy 160. Alternate trail parking can be found at Lobo Overlook by driving up the gravel road just to east of the Pass.
CDT002
Location: 37.493084, -106.801384Alternate trailhead at Lobo Overlook Parking Lot. Road access is slightly east of CDT at Hwy 160 on north side. Gravel road is approximately 3 miles long to top. This trailhead avoids 750 ft of climbing from Hwy 160
CDT002
Location: 37.493324, -106.801331Alternate trailhead at Lobo Overlook Parking Lot. Road access is slightly east of CDT at Hwy 160 on north side. Gravel road is approximately 3 miles long to top. This trailhead avoids 750 ft of climbing from Hwy 160
CDT003
Location: 37.494671, -106.807846Trail junction of CDT and the Lobo Overlook connector trail. Sign post at junction says "Cont Div Tr 813"
CDT003
Location: 37.494774, -106.807854Trail junction of CDT and the Lobo Overlook connector trail. Sign post at junction says "Cont DivTr 813". This picture is looking southbound on the CDT. The narrow CDT moves off to the right and down slope, the wider Lobo connector trail continues straight ahead and stays on the ridge. Brian Kemp and Phil Kemp taking GPS readings
CDT004
Location: 37.495682, -106.823616Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
CDT004
Location: 37.496044, -106.823524Weminuche Wilderness Boundary. This picture is looking northbound. Phil Kemp taking GPS readings
CDT005
Location: 37.496006, -106.854202Trail crosses small ephemeral stream
CDT005
Location: 37.496132, -106.854233Trail crosses small ephemeral stream
CDT006
Location: 37.496231, -106.859375Rock Lake adjacent to trail. Not shown on most maps.
CDT006
Location: 37.496288, -106.859459Rock Lake adjacent to trail. Not shown on most maps. View looking northbound. Brian Kemp enjoying the lake.
CDT007
Location: 37.504711, -106.873886Trail junction with the South Fork Archuleta Trail (750). Junction is marked with a sign labeled "South Fork Trail"
CDT007
Location: 37.504745, -106.873917Trail junction with the South Fork Archuleta Trail (750). Junction is marked with a sign labeled "South Fork Trail". View is looking northbound. CDT continues straight.
CDT008
Location: 37.515053, -106.879089Small stream. Possible water source.
CDT008
Location: 37.515129, -106.879189Small stream. Possible water source.
CDT009
Location: 37.527363, -106.877380Spotted Lake. Limited camping nearby
CDT009
Location: 37.527637, -106.877380Spotted Lake. Limited camping nearby. View looking southbound
CDT010 CAMP
Location: 37.535210, -106.877869Day 1 Campsite at Archuleta Lake
CDT010 CAMP
Location: 37.535393, -106.877930Day 1 Campsite at Archuleta Lake
CDT010
Location: 37.533409, -106.878174Trail junction with Archuleta Trail (839). Sign at intersection says "Archuleta Tr 839". Camping opportunities >200 ft away from Archuleta Lake off the Archuleta Trail. View is northbound. CDT continues straight.
CDT010
Location: 37.533371, -106.878105Trail junction with Archuleta Trail (839). Sign at intersection says "Archuleta Tr 839". Camping opportunities >200 ft away from Archuleta Lake off the Archuleta Trail.
CDT011
Location: 37.544128, -106.878410Top of crest on CDT by Mt. Hope. 700 ft climb from Archuleta Lake on nicely sloped switchbacked trail
CDT011 SB
Location: 37.544239, -106.878471Top of crest on CDT by Mt. Hope. 700 ft climb from Archuleta Lake on nicely sloped switchbacked trail. View looking southbound at Archuleta Lake
CDT011 NB
Location: 37.544239, -106.878502Top of crest on CDT by Mt. Hope. 700 ft climb from Archuleta Lake on nicely sloped switchbacked trail. View looking northbound. CDT on ridge in front then continues left on first ridge in middle
CDT012
Location: 37.558376, -106.880783Trail junction with Highline Trail (832). Sign post at interection says "Highline Tr 832". Sign at intersection has directional arrows for the Highline Trail and the CDT
CDT012
Location: 37.558403, -106.880768Trail junction with Highline Trail (832). Sign post at interection says "Highline Tr 832". Sign at intersection has directional arrows for the Highline Trail and the CDT. View looking northbound. CDT continues to the left. Phil Kemp unloads his heavy load.
CDT013 BCT
Location: 37.564930, -106.887993Trail junction with Beaver Creek Trail (560). Sign at intersection does not say trail name. Check current trail conditions before planning to travel this trail. As of 8/07 the trail is closed by the Forest Service due to poor conditions near Beaver Meadows
CDT013 NB
Location: 37.564930, -106.888023Trail junction with Beaver Creek Trail (560). Check current trail conditions before planning to travel this trail. As of 8/07 the trail is closed by the Forest Service due to poor conditions near Beaver Meadows. View is northbound on CDT. Brian Kemp and Phil Kemp survey the junction.
CDT013
Location: 37.564857, -106.888023Trail junction with Beaver Creek Trail (560). Sign at intersection does not say trail name. Check current trail conditions before planning to travel this trail. As of 8/07 the trail is closed by the Forest Service due to poor conditions near Beaver Meadows
CDT014 ST
Location: 37.564106, -106.906586Trail junction with Sawtooth Trail (828). Several signs and posts at well marked intersection. Sawtooth trail itself is a little difficult to see at first as it moves off NNE from the main sign post. View of Sawtooth Trail headed NNE
CDT014 NB
Location: 37.563992, -106.906525Trail junction with Sawtooth Trail (828). Several signs and posts at well marked intersection. Sawtooth trail itself is a little difficult to see at first as it moves off NNE from the main sign post. View looking northbound. Brian Kemp blazing forward.
CDT014
Location: 37.564030, -106.906471Trail junction with Sawtooth Trail (828). Several signs and posts at well marked intersection. Sawtooth trail itself is a little difficult to see at first as it moves off NNE from the main sign post
CDT015
Location: 37.566841, -106.939018Bump on map labeled as 12,242 ft. View looking NB at upcoming flat top hill. A little west of here are some ponds on a large bench below the trail on the west side of the Continental Divide.
CDT015
Location: 37.566818, -106.938995Bump on map labeled as 12,242 ft. A little west of here are some ponds on a large bench below the trail on the west side of the Continental Divide.
CDT016
Location: 37.566467, -106.977463Trail junction with the Fisher Creek Trail (826) / Ivy Creek Trail (805). The intersection is signed however the sign does not indicate the trail name of the cross trail. View looking northbound. The CDT turns to the left and the cross trail is to the right. Team 15C meets up with Team 50B led by Ray Murray
CDT016
Location: 37.566444, -106.977440Trail junction with the Fisher Creek Trail (826) / Ivy Creek Trail (805). The intersection is signed however the sign does not indicate the trail name of the cross trail. Previous signs south of here called this trail Ivy Creek
CDT017
Location: 37.567116, -106.986725Ephemeral stream crosses trail. This is the first water on the trail northbound from Archuleta Lake. Phil Kemp and Ray Murray wonder what happened to Steve.
CDT017
Location: 37.567104, -106.986549Ephemeral stream crosses trail. This is the first water on the trail northbound from Archuleta Lake
CDT018 CAMP
Location: 37.571499, -107.001305Possible campsites abound near water at Piedra Pass.
CDT018 CAMP
Location: 37.571545, -107.001350Possible campsites abound near water. Day 2 campsite at Piedra Pass.
CDT018
Location: 37.570770, -107.000443Trail junction with West Fork Trail (561) / Rainbow Trail. Sign at intersection says "Rainbow Trail". However maps differ as to the trail name. Trails Illustrated map says West Fork Trail. CDT continues straight. Lots of water and camping in area.
CDT018
Location: 37.570770, -107.000465Trail junction with West Fork Trail (561) / Rainbow Trail. Sign at intersection says "Rainbow Trail". However maps differ as to the trail name. Trails Illustrated map says West Fork Trail. CDT continues straight. Lots of water and camping in area. View looking northbound. Red Mountain Trail (896) to right. Ray Murray, Phil Kemp, and Brian Kemp deciding exactly which way the trails go.
CDT019
Location: 37.570057, -107.003304Trail junction with Turkey Creek Trail (580). Sign post at intersection indicates trail name. View looking northbound. CDT turns to the right (up slope) and Turkey Creek Trail continues straight, down drainage.. Phil Kemp and Brian Kemp take off in the morning.
CDT019
Location: 37.570011, -107.003281Trail junction with Turkey Creek Trail (580). Sign post at intersection indicates trail name
CDT020
Location: 37.561806, -107.032333Trail junction with Turkey Creek connector trail. No sign at all at this intersection. Actual junction is slightly east of point indicated on the map. Trail is obvious and appears to be well used. View looking southbound. CDT continues to the left if heading south and stays on the ridge. If proceeding northbound, the CDT continues straight with the Turkey Creek connector veering off sharply left and downslope. Brian Kemp and Phil Kemp debate the unmarked trail.
CDT020
Location: 37.561703, -107.032310Trail junction with Turkey Creek connector trail. No sign at all at this intersection. Actual junction is slightly east of point indicated on the map. Trail is obvious and appears to be well used. Steep climb northbound on CDT from here.
CDT021
Location: 37.566555, -107.044052Small ephemeral stream crosses trail.
CDT021
Location: 37.566456, -107.044037Small ephemeral stream crosses trail.
CDT022
Location: 37.572300, -107.046944Trail junction with East Trout Creek Trail (896). Sign post at intersection is easy to spot but the trail is grown over and not distinct. This post is about 50 ft off of the CDT to the north. If leaving the CDT and heading down East Trout Creek, keep a sharp eye out for the trail as you proceed down slope.
CDT022
Location: 37.572285, -107.046921Trail junction with East Trout Creek Trail (896). Sign post at intersection is easy to spot but the East Trout Creek trail is grown over and not distinct.
CDT023
Location: 37.570675, -107.054100Trail junction with Palomino Mountain connector trail with access to Middle Fork Trail (589). Sign post at intersection but it does not have legible writing. CDT and trail junction are at flat spot in saddle, slightly higher and east than indicated on maps. View looking soutbound. CDT continues straight on the distinct trail on the east side of the Continental Divide. Connector trail is faint trail on right in this photo. It is heading off on the west side of the Divide.
CDT023
Location: 37.570644, -107.054123Trail junction with Palomino Mountain connector trail with access to Middle Fork Trail (589). Sign post at intersection but it does not have legible writing. CDT and trail junction are at flat spot in saddle, slightly higher and east than indicated on map.
CDT024
Location: 37.572117, -107.081345Two nice small ponds just off trail in a flat basin.
CDT024
Location: 37.572048, -107.081299Two nice small ponds just off trail in a flat basin.
CDT025 ICT
Location: 37.599464, -107.101440Trail junction with Indian Creek Trail (588). Post at intersection but no sign. View of Indian Creek Trail to south
CDT025 NB
Location: 37.599407, -107.101379Trail junction with Indian Creek Trail (588). Post at intersection but no sign. Junction matches up well with Trails Illustrated Map. Trimble topo and current National Forest maps show this junction in the upper part of the drainage south and east of the post on the CDT. View in photo is northbound. CDT continues straight and stays on ridge. Indian Creek Trail dives off downslope in a southwesterly direction. This intersection cannot be seen if on the CDT hiking southbound until past the junction. Phil Kemp and Brian Kemp debate another intersection.
CDT025
Location: 37.599373, -107.101273Trail junction with Indian Creek Trail (588). Post at intersection but no sign. Junction matches up well with Trails Illustrated Map, but is in totally different location than shown on Trimble topo. Additionally there is only one intersection and not two.
CDT026a
Location: 37.602192, -107.101196Either clearing will take you back up to the Continental Divide trail located on the ridge above this small lake that is part of the headwaters of East Trout Creek
CDT026b
Location: 37.603912, -107.121010Looking northbound. The CDT continues along the ridge in front. Brian Kemp and Phil Kemp wondering why they have to stare into the sun just so I can get their picture.
CDT026 CAMP
Location: 37.602665, -107.106575Potential campsites on ridge using water source on upper tributary of East Trout Creek. Must bushwhack off trail to lake 500 ft below for water. Very easy bushwhack and some navigation allow picking a campsite location with nice views.
CDT026 CAMP
Location: 37.602737, -107.106613Day 3 campsite using water source on upper tributary of East Trout Creek. Must bushwhack off trail to lake 500 ft below for water. Very easy bushwhack and some navigation allow picking a campsite location on the ridge with nice views.
CDT027
Location: 37.601501, -107.138107Trail junction with Palisade Meadows Trail (651). Fallen post at intersection but no sign. CDT continues along ridge, side trail (651) heads south. Phil Kemp is scared of Mark O'Neal's shadow
CDT027
Location: 37.601479, -107.138107Trail junction with Palisade Meadows Trail (651). Fallen post at intersection but no sign. CDT continues along ridge, side trail (651) heads south.
CDT028
Location: 37.618542, -107.136017Streams requiring slight descent to access.
CDT028
Location: 37.618435, -107.136017Streams requiring slight descent to access. Two small ephemeral streams cross trail just to south. Travelling northbound this is the first water on the trail since the ponds on the East Trout Creek drainage.
CDT029
Location: 37.625942, -107.138786Cherokee Lake from CDT.
CDT029
Location: 37.625942, -107.138809Cherokee Lake just below CDT
CDT030
Location: 37.629429, -107.142693Marshy perennial stream just north of Cherokee Lake.
CDT030
Location: 37.629333, -107.142670Marshy perennial stream just north of Cherokee Lake.
CDT031a
Location: 37.636684, -107.149353You belong among the wild flowers
CDT031 VID
Location: 37.635059, -107.142761Video shot from the Knife Edge.
CDT031 NFE
Location: 37.635193, -107.142761Trail hits the Knife Edge. View looking east along the length of the "Knife Edge".
CDT031
Location: 37.635017, -107.142746Trail hits the Knife Edge. Easy scramble, no real exposure. The views here are nice and don't require going out to the end of the ridge.
CDT031 NB
Location: 37.635086, -107.142792Trail hits the Knife Edge. View looking northbound. Trail continues northbound to the right underneath the cliffs. Nicely built section of trail here. Phil Kemp exploring the "scary" Knife Edge
CDT032
Location: 37.636406, -107.156784Trail junction with Williams Fork Lake Trail (664). Sign post at intersection is weathered but readable. Sign says Williams Creek which is the name of the trailhead below. Trail descends to and around Williams Lake and beyond down Williams Creek, though this may not be shown on some maps. Brian Kemp is glad its all downhill from here.
CDT032
Location: 37.636333, -107.156746Trail junction with Williams Fork Lake Trail (664) and trail to Trout Lake. Sign post at intersection is weathered but readable. Sign says Williams Creek which is the name of the trailhead below. CDT is well marked with posts.
WCT001a
Location: 37.632561, -107.155533Williams Lake. View looking south
WCT001
Location: 37.618168, -107.165901Trail junction of Williams Fork Lake Trail (664) and Williams Creek Trail (587). Williams Creek Trail is to the left and Williams Lake is to the right. Sign at intersection differs from names listed on map. View is looking north (uphill).
WCT001
Location: 37.618168, -107.165932Trail junction of Williams Fork Lake Trail (664) and Williams Creek Trail (587). Williams Creek Trail continues down towards the trailhead. Sign at intersection differs from names listed on map.
WCT002 CAMP
Location: 37.611298, -107.156860Established campsite at edge of Williams Creek immediately adjacent to Trail 587.
WCT002 CAMP
Location: 37.611263, -107.156822Established campsite at edge of Williams Creek immediately adjacent to Trail 587. Day 4 campsite
WCT003
Location: 37.587250, -107.169449This is representative of a large portion of the Williams Creek Trail (587) above the Indian Creek Trail junction following a long stretch of wet weather.
WCT003
Location: 37.587067, -107.169266The Williams Creek Trail (587) can be a very muddy multi-use trail between the trailhead and Williams Lake. Two stream crossings require getting your feet wet if it has rained lately. Be prepared for slow going due to muddy sections of the trail if there has been a recent history of wet weather.
WCT004
Location: 37.563507, -107.184013Trail junction with the Williams Creek Trail (587) and the Indian Creek Trail (588). Sign post at intersection correctly identifies the trails.
WCT004
Location: 37.563740, -107.184128Trail junction with the Williams Creek Trail (587) and the Indian Creek Trail (588). Sign post at intersection correctly identifies the trails. Williams Creek Trail is to left. View looking north (uphill).
WCT005
Location: 37.541271, -107.197502Williams Creek Trailhead. Brian Kemp and Phil Kemp looking fresh after 43 miles
WCT005
Location: 37.541267, -107.197495Williams Creek Trailhead and parking lot. 26 miles (45 minute drive on well graded gravel road) to Hwy 160 via Piedra Road. 27 miles from Piedra Road to Wolf Creek Pass on Highway 160. Water and pit toilet available in parking lot at Willaims Creek TH.
CDT001 ELEV
Location: 37.483395, -106.802872Elevation profile from start to finish
Williams Creek Trailhead to Wolf Creek Pass Directions
Location: 37.541443, -107.197670CDT004a
Location: 37.498096, -106.848076View out towards Mt. Hope
CDT0013a
Location: 37.563633, -106.898361Looking at one hill you don't have to climb. Phil Kemp leading the way
CDT015b
Location: 37.565243, -106.974640View looking southbound prior to flat top hill
CDT015a
Location: 37.563854, -106.968475Your partners will look like ants from the top of this climb
CDT023a
Location: 37.572701, -107.073013Come for the wildflowers
CDT024a
Location: 37.584179, -107.092430South River Peak off in the distance
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