"Vasquez Peak Pass" (Continental Divide Trail)

Distance: 8 miles round trip
Elevation: 10,546 ft - 12,000 ft
Elevation Gain: 1,454 ft
Dogs: Off leash
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Tags: #coloradooutdoors, #CDT, #tundra, #empire
Nearby hikes: Butler Gulch, Stanley Mountain, Vasquez Pass, Jones Pass

View of the Continental Divide on the way to "Vasquez Peak Pass"

The trail to "Vasquez Peak Pass" is a stunning jaunt along one of the prettiest sections of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) that is not in a wilderness area. This is a boon to dog owners who need to let Fido run free. Located near the Henderson Mine (between Empire, CO and Berthoud Pass), this hike travels 1.5 miles up the Henderson Spur Trail to the CDT and then heads northwest to an unnamed pass to the west to Vasquez Peak for a total one way distance of 4 miles.

The dead Bristlecone forest

I have called the destination of this hike the "Vasquez Peak Pass" to distinguish it from Vasquez Pass, which is located in the same area but which lies between Stanley Mountain and an unnamed 12K ft peak (see photo of map). Don't blame me, but the person undoubted experimenting with LSD for these lovely catawampus names.

Map of the area showing "Vasquez Peak Pass" (red circle) versus Vasquez Pass to the right.

The Henderson Spur Trail winds quickly upwards through a series of switchbacks in a dense Lodgepole and later Spruce forest. At 1.5 miles is the intersection with the CDT. There used to be a large wooden sign marking the spot but this was missing on my last trip. Instead look left and you may see a small CDT marker high up in one of the trees around 40 yards up the trail.

Breaking out of treeline

At 2 miles the CDT trail enters a dead Bristlecone forest. It takes Bristlecones a long time to decay so the skeletons of this once vibrant forest will be with us for generations to come.

Starting to head northwest

After the forest, the trail quickly leaves tree line and winds around the northeast side of broad valley bordered on both sides by the snow-covered peaks of the Continental Divide itself. Alpine sunflowers dot the meadows in summer and in fall, the tundra grasses turn a rudy brown. Even in late summer there are streams for Fido to enjoy.

Alpine Sunflowers

The pass itself is just beyond a large jumble of rocks and looks back down the valley to the south and deep into the Vasquez Peak Wilderness to the north. From this point the CDT travels around a small 12K ft peak that would be an easy scramble for those wishing to go higher.

Large rock pile

There is no defined trail up to Vasquez Peak and while the Trails Illustrated map shows an undefined trail leading up from the pass, it would actually be easier to bushwhack up to the ridge to the south and ascend from there.

The pass is in sight

The Vasquez Peak Pass trail is a great way to avoid the crowds (I saw one ultra runner) while breathing in crisp tundra air. It is highly recommended for anyone wishing a quick escape from the searing Denver heat.

Looking north from the pass

To get to the trailhead, take I-70 west from Denver and then Highway 40 through Empire. Past Empire the highway turns sharply in what is now as the Big Bend. Exit here. The signs point to the Big Bend picnic ground as well as Jones Pass. Just before the Henderson Mine, a dirt frontage road starts off to the right. Follow this for less than a mile to a large parking area. There is a small wooden sign on right under some power lines. This lot also serves Butler Gulch and so may be more crowded than expected.

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.