South Fork

Distance: 5.5 miles round trip
Elevation: 8,954 ft - 9,365 ft
Elevation Gain: 411 ft
Bathroom at Trailhead: No but plenty nearby
Dogs: Off leash
Date Hiked: 2 October 2015
Tags: #coloradooutdoors, #hiking, #river

The peaceful South Fork of the Williams Fork River along the South Fork Trail

The South Fork Trail in the Williams Fork Valley east of Silverthorne CO is a heavily forested twenty-three mile loop that travels through two riparian valleys and across a 12,000 ft ridge overlooking Pettingell Peak.

The Williams Fork Parking/Picnic area

One of the few trail markers in the area

For day hikes, you can walk along either the South Fork of the Williams Fork River, which is the to the west, or along the Williams Fork River on the eastern side of the loop. This post describes the western route starting from the Williams Fork Trailhead, sandwiched between the South Fork and Sugarloaf Campgrounds.

The South Fork Campground group site (show coming out of the trail)

Starting out on the trail

Accessing this trail is an exercise in patience, since most of the area is unmarked and there is no forest service information about the trail. Most of this post will describe just finding it!

To get to the South Fork Campground from Silverthorne, take the Ute Pass Road (CR 15) east and then turn right onto County Road 138 in the Williams Fork Valley just past the Henderson Mill. Follow the road until it travels through two short tunnels under the Henderson Mill's conveyor belt.

Fir trees and undergrowth

First meadow off to the left

Just through the tunnel is a large brown sign pointing to the left for the campgrounds and to the right for the Upper South Fork Trailhead. The trailhead this sign refers to is actually miles down Forest Service Road 142. It does access the western side of the South Fork Trail, but since the trailhead is not listed on the Trails Illustrated Map we turned around in confusion and you may too.

Another typical trail segment

Another river view

There are two places to access the western side of the trail. The first is near the near the group campsite of the South Fork Campground. A small trail sign exists to the right of the vault toilet and the trail seems to travel through the group site and up into the valley. There does not appear to be any legal parking in this area, but since this campground is sparsely used, you may choose to park there anyway.

Slight incline

Looking down on the river from a small bluff

The official place to park is at the Williams Fork Trailhead, a small run down picnic area, located between the South Fork and Sugarloaf Campgrounds. This is actually labeled the "South Fork" Trailhead on the Trails Illustrated map, which adds to the confusion. While there is a gravel path that connects the two spots, you may not find it from the parking area itself since it is so overgrown. Instead, follow the road back up 100 yards towards the South Fork campground until you see the gravel path traverse off to the left. This path will take you right back to the group site described in option one. Walk to the back side of the group site, and you will see the distinct trail heading out along the creek.

Peak-a-boo

Area opening up

The trail itself follows the creek in a mixed Lodgepole/Spruce Forest. Even in the fall there are several places where the trail is very soggy with water draining from open meadows to the left. The river is ever present but sometimes is right next to the trail and other times hidden by the trees. The view does not change much, but the trail is soft, gradual, and suitable for folks who want quiet, solitary experience.

One of the side streams near our turn around point

Talus field

A good milestone for a day hike is the large meadow 2.5 miles in, measured from the parking area. It is located just down from a sharp rise, the only elevation gain on the route, where several streams converge. A large talus field exists off to the left.

Some things that will help. The Trails Illustrated map has a better trail, but mislabels the trailhead and does not show the Upper South Fork Trailhead. The Latitude 40 map is small, but shows the entire loop, the Upper South Fork Trailhead, and the two campgrounds. The Williams Fork Trailhead is marked with a yellow T, but is unlabeled.

Wheeler Lakes

Distance: 6 miles round trip
Elevation: 9, 700 ft - 11,095 ft
Elevation Gain: 1, 486 ft (cumulative)
Date Hiked:19 July 2015
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Dogs: Off leash until the Wilderness Boundary
Tags: #coloradooutdoors #nature #lake #summitcounty #coppermountain

Second Wheeler Lake near Copper Mountain Colorado

Wheeler Lakes, near the Copper Mountain Ski Resort, are two shallow lakes nestled in a large meadow surrounded by towering Spruce and Fir trees. In summer the route is damp, muddy, and filled with wall-to-wall wildflowers. Occasional views of Copper Mountain and the western side of the Ten Mile Range add an additional flair.  The route follows the Gore Range Trail until a turn off to Wheeler Lakes.

Parking at exit 196

Start of the Gore Range Trail

There are three places to park near Wheeler Lakes, each resulting in a slightly different round trip distance. The official trailhead is located at a scenic overlook (exit 196) 0.8 miles west of Copper Mountain. The advantage of this location is plenty of parking. The downside is an extra slog along the less than scenic I-70. The second option is right at exit 195 (north side). There is room along the side of the road for 10 or so cars. Finally, you can always park in one of Copper's parking lots and cross I-70 over the bridge. On this trip I scored a spot right on the exit. Measured from my parking spot, the turn off to Wheeler Lakes was at 2.6 miles.

Sagebrush hillside filled with wildflowers

Looking down on the Copper Mountain ski resort

The first 0.5 miles of the route follows I-70 along a Sagebrush hillside dotted with drier climate wildflowers. Once the trail reaches the wilderness boundary at 1 mile, the trail becomes more shaded and damp. Rivulets may run down the trail until late in the season creating tiny bogs. Good water proof shoes will entice you to trod through the mud and not expand the trail to avoid it.

Heading away from the highway and into the trees

Lupine grace the forest floor

At 2.0 miles, the trail skirts the edge of a very large meadow. The ridge leading to Uneva Pass is visible in the distance. Hang out until September and you might glimpse Elk congregating for the annual rut. At 2.5 miles is a shelf with expansive views of the western side of the Ten Mile Range including the craggy peaks of Mayflower Gulch, one of the best destinations in the area.

Large meadow

View of the west side of the Ten Mile Range

Shortly past the plateau is the well marked turn off to Wheeler Lakes. The first lake, at 11,085 ft, will come into view almost immediately. It is surrounded by verdant marsh grasses and towering Fir trees. On this trip the water was still as glass and the only sound was the continuous chirping of forest birds. Due to the marshy ground, there are only a few place that you can approach the water and it may be best to continue on to the second lake, at 11,065 ft, which is 0.4 miles further on and off to the left.

Trail sign for the Wheeler Lakes turn off

First Wheeler Lake

A small, drier hillside dotted with Pine and carpeted with wildflowers borders the second lake on is northern side. You can explore the lake from either the southern or northern sides, but a large marsh to the west prevents a total circumnavigation.

Rosy pink paintbrush

View of Uneva Pass

Instead, climb the hillside (11,095 ft) and wander a short distance for unexpected views of Uneva Pass and Officers Gulch/I-70. On this trip, wildflowers graced every inch of the area. There are numerous rocky outcropping suitable for a private lunch.

Wildflower collage

Wheeler Lakes is one of the wetter destinations in the area even in the heat of summer. Despite this, parking along the exit can get crowded particularly at the peak of wildflower season. Continue 1.8miles further on the Gore Range Trail to Lost Lake for a longer hike.

Once last glimpse of the first lake