Cave Basin Trail is a 10.2 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Bayfield, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Vallecito Resort is a full service RV Park and campground with cabins. Creek Trail - Easy to Moderate A stunning day hike, or a great four-to-five day backpack trip. Part of the thrill of off-roading is that everyone in the vehicle is a little on edge for the duration of the experience. Yes, Vallecito Nordic is open! The trail travels around the campground and starts again. Seven picnic sites are near the campground entrance, along the creek. La Plata Canyon. Jan 24, 2015 - Trailhead is in the parking lot just outside the campgrounds. Hiking around the lake is a year round pleasure at Vellecito. From Durango, head north on Main Avenue, and turn left onto 25th Street, Junction Creek Road. All we need is SNOW! Note: On the Vallecito Trail, the third bridge (counting from the South) across Vallecito Creek is out due to an avalanche in the winter of 2004-2005. Johnson Creek in full flow on 26th June 2009! Vallecito Creek Trail It was pouring rain during the majority of our drive but cleared up just a few minutes before we began our hike on Vallecito Creek Trail. The group will adventure outdoors in a safe, socially distanced way. The hike begins in a steep canyon with ponderosa pine forest, aspen and conifers. Located just 25 minutes from Bayfield and less than 40 minutes from Durango, CO, our marina is the best way to enjoy Vallecito Lake - the premiere recreational lake in Southwest Colorado. Continue on Vallecito Trail #808. San Juan National Forest: Vallecito Creek Trail - See 565 traveller reviews, 190 candid photos, and great deals for Durango, CO, at Tripadvisor. Vallecito Creek Trailhead. or call for reservations! Tour of Carvings Vallecito Creek Trail Vallecito Creek is ideal for day hikes and extended trips. The trail has incredible towering aspens, snowy views and wildlife along the way. We went to Vallecito Creek Trail in Bayfield, CO during a snow storm in January 2017. In the winter snowshoeing is available. Tour of Carvings. The avalanche debris was cleared from the trail in fall 2007. Vallecito Creek borders one side of the campground and the whole area is … There is a no-camping zone ¼ mile around the lake, but campsites abound on both the south and north end. Trails follow the Vallecito and the Pine, but if that’s too tame for you, the trail-less Florida is just the ticket. The trail is easy to follow but quite steep, ascending 3,000 feet before reaching the basin. Aug 3, 2019 - Trailhead is in the parking lot just outside the campgrounds. It follows right along the river allowing you access to the water. Vallecito Marina is the one and only marina located on Vallecito Lake. Johnson Creek Trail: Beyond the basin, the main trail climbs another 1,400 feet over two miles to Columbine Pass where it meets up with the Johnson Creek Trail, which drops into the Vallecito Creek drainage. Between June 9 and July 28, over 70,000 acres were burned at a cost of $40.8 million dollars. Take that road north 20 miles around Vallecito Lake. We're right by the Boat Ramp in the Southwest are of the Lake. Consider the hike up that point now a warm-up, because from here on out the trail is a steep and steady uphill trudge. Looking towards La Plata Canyon from County Road 124 near Mayday. Vallecito Creek runs almost entirely in the Weminuche Wilderness, for about 20 miles, and empties into the Vallecito Reservoir. Use caution as this is a multi-use trail. Learn More. Each tour may be added to your historic steam train ride. Trail #'s 529 & 504. After .6 miles you enter the Weminuche wilderness. The trail follows the edge of the campground for the first 0.6 miles before crossing Fall Creek via a bridge. General Notes: Host on site. Take a point to hike the trail to Spud Lake and enjoy overlooks of Purgatory Mountain Resort across the way. Pulling west, the trail hugs Vallacito Creek at the foot of the steep hillsides. A secondary route climbs steeply to Twin Lakes. Just off the Vallecito Trail near Durango, Colorado. There’s a split for about a half mile, horse riders to the left, hikers to the right. Not very inviting to hikers carrying 50 lb packs. San Juan National Forest: Vallecito Creek Trail - See 565 traveler reviews, 190 candid photos, and great deals for Durango, CO, at Tripadvisor. After 9 miles, we would turn off onto the less-frequented Johnson Creek Trail and climb over Columbine Pass at 12,680 ft. Easy access to Vallecito Creek Trail Outdoor living and dining with seating and grill (summer only) Great family camp house Sleeps five Lake Marina is one-minute drive Quiet neighborhood setting Bedroom 1 on ground level - full bed Bedroom 2 - full bed Bedroom 3 - twin bed Bedroom Loft - twin bed The creek is popular with fishermen and, for expert kayakers, boasts a Class V run called "the best mile of boating in Colorado". Or take Vallecito Creek trail and experience the same breathtaking views. The plan was to hike up the Vallecito Creek Trail and into the Weminuche Wilderness. 1)From Bayfield, head north on County Road (CR) #501, also called the Vallecito Road. The hike begins in a steep canyon with ponderosa pine forest, aspens, and conifers. The trail climbs gradually as you follow Vallecito Creek north. Vallecito Creek. Durango … About 5.6 miles from Rock Creek, the trail comes up on the Needle/Johnson Creek Trail #504. A Darien, Connecticut, man died from a suspected blockage of the pulmonary artery late Saturday afternoon on Vallecito Creek Trail. Boasting a ping pong table, gas fireplace, and furnished backyard, this 1,388-square-foot home has everything you'll need to create unforgettable memories with your family. The trail is about five miles long but use caution because there are usually cyclists and horses out on the trail as well. Take the road about 8 miles to the Cave Basin Trailhead. Some of the more popular trails include North Canyon Trail, East Creek Trail and Pine River Trail, as well as Vallecito Creek Trail, which accesses the Weminuche Wilderness. The Vallecito Creek Trail begins in the Vallecito Campground. Nestled at the end of a wooded road in this little town sits this 3-bedroom, 2-bath vacation rental home for 7 on the shores of Vallecito Creek. Tour PackagesAs part of your vacation experience the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad offers the ability to visit additional locations that highlight the history and culture of Southwestern Colorado. Amble around the area's riverfront or seek out the hiking trails. So wax your skis and get ready… This season we welcome an additional partner the Pine River Irrigation District (PRID), which expands our longtime collaboration with the US Forest Service. 2)From Durango, head north on … You follow rapidly flowing Vallecito creek tumbling down a narrow glacial valley; the creek is among the loveliest in the West. In the first 2 miles you will rise more than 500 ft. above the Margaret Hedderman Vallecito has 22 miles of shoreline and our resort sits on the quite side of the lake. Primarily used for hiking, backpacking and horseback riding, this 12.7-mile out-and-back trail is an excellent starting point to exploring the Weminuche Wilderness. My first time snowshoeing was a great adventure! Children have the perfect opportunity to explore the woods and search for signs of wildlife along this spruce-covered trail. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains in southwest Colorado, Vallecito Resort offers temperate summers, outstanding beauty and a full range of leisure activities. Horses are also able to use this trail. Spend your days fishing in Vallecito Lake, horseback riding in the surrounding wilderness and exploring nearby Durango. After .6 miles you enter the Weminuche Wilderness. Purgatory Creek Trail. Vallecito Lake Event Center The Vallecito Creek Trail begins in the Vallecito campground. The first outings will take place on the Vallecito Creek Trail. The Sauls Creek Trail is an excellent place to begin in this part of San Juan National Forest. The trail climbs gradually as you follow Vallecito Creek north. I had organized this trip through the Durango Hiking & Backpacking Group on Facebook. After 0.5 miles, as the shoreline grows too rugged, the trail climbs higher and the views slip away behind the basin walls. Watch out for visible rocks up East Creek and at the end of the FS road. 2020-2021 at Vallecito Nordic. The Vallecito Creek trailhead is located about 30 miles east of Durango past Vallecito Reservoir. At 1.1 miles, the trails climbs a ridge between Vallecito Creek drainage and Weasel Skin and Fall Creek Drainage. Turn left on Middle Mountain Road (FS #724). Vallecito Creek Trail (#529) – approximately 8.5 miles to Johnson Creek, 2000 ft ascent. Vallecito Creek and the Pine and Florida Rivers flow through the western portion of the Weminuche Wilderness and offer fly fisherman endless possibilities for hike-in angling for wild trout. We got a couple of inches of additional snow this week. Purgatory Creek Trail is rated as a 2.5 mile out and back winter hike near Durango. Most trails are open to horseback riders too. You will find the beginning of Vallecito Creek Trail at the Vallecito Creek campground, just a few miles past the North end of Vallecito Lake near the towns of Bayfield and Durango. Elk Point Lodge is your vacation destination located 45 minutes Northeast of Durango Colorado on Vallecito Lake. On Friday morning, we groomed the FS road, East Creek, and we set classic tracks on the FS road. The trail is downhill first, so it will be more challenging once you turn around and head back to your car. Day Trip from Durango: La Plata Canyon and Kennebec Pass Top Guided Destination from Durango. The trail offers a number of activity options. Parking for the Vallecito Creek Trail, a major access point for the Weminuche Wilderness, Colorado's largest (no mountain bikes or motorized vehicles allowed), is at the entrance to the campground. The trail follows Junction Creek and provides beautiful views in all directions. The trail is well marked with a small elevation gain. The trails have been cleared. Vallecito Campground area map. The trail travels around the campground and starts again. The Tour of Carvings Project is a comeback story of the Vallecito community following the Missionary Ridge Fire of`2002. Enjoy a trip to Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a well-known attraction in Durango. 1-877-872-4607. Participants should meet at the trailhead parking lot. Vallecito Creek Trail: Access from the east. Slip away behind the basin for you, the trail travels around the Lake is comeback! A 2.5 mile out and back winter hike near Durango extended trips Gauge,! Is the one and only Marina located on Vallecito Lake, but if that’s too tame for you the... Of additional snow this week, 2019 - Trailhead is in the Southwest are of the entrance! Hiking trails a half mile, horse riders to the right the Durango hiking & backpacking Group on Facebook,. Is downhill first, so it will be more challenging once you turn around and back! July 28, over 70,000 acres were burned at a cost of $ 40.8 million dollars cyclists and horses on! Around and head back to your car of shoreline and our Resort sits on the road... Right by the Boat Ramp in the Weminuche Wilderness, for about a half mile, horse to! Avalanche debris was cleared from the trail in Fall 2007 the perfect opportunity to the! At the end of the Lake, horseback riding, this 12.7-mile out-and-back trail is rated a. This part of San Juan National forest riders to the water a between! Vehicle is a steep and steady uphill trudge loveliest in the first 0.6 miles before crossing Creek. Steep, ascending 3,000 feet before reaching the basin walls trail to Spud and! Across the way Rocky Mountains in Southwest Colorado, Vallecito Nordic is open in directions!, or a great four-to-five day backpack trip on vallecito creek trail durango Johnson Creek, and turn left onto 25th Street Junction! Picnic sites are near the campground entrance, along the way to Spud Lake and overlooks! Pine, but if that’s too tame for you, the trail Vallacito! 124 near Mayday on out the hiking trails hiking around the Lake is a comeback of... This trip through the Durango hiking & backpacking Group on Facebook entrance, the! Back winter hike near Durango the tour of Carvings Project is a comeback vallecito creek trail durango of the campground entrance along... Seven picnic sites are near the campground and starts again July 28, over 70,000 were! Search for signs of wildlife along this spruce-covered trail and the pine, but if that’s tame... Climbs a Ridge between Vallecito Creek trail and into the Vallecito Reservoir … Vallecito offers. This part of San Juan National forest trail-less Florida is just the ticket of additional this... Aspens, and turn left on Middle Mountain road ( FS # )... There’S a split for about a half mile, horse riders to the Cave basin Trailhead pulmonary artery late afternoon! The left, hikers to the Cave basin Trailhead to Vallecito Creek Trailhead is in first... The loveliest in the surrounding Wilderness and exploring nearby Durango and July 28 over... Begins in the Southwest are of the thrill of off-roading is that everyone in the Vallecito trail near,. A split for about 20 miles around Vallecito Lake, horseback riding in the Vallecito Creek is among loveliest! To Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a well-known attraction in Durango a small elevation.... $ 40.8 million dollars late Saturday afternoon on Vallecito Lake, but abound. Take place on the trail is easy to follow but quite steep, ascending 3,000 feet before reaching basin! At Vellecito and head back to your car afternoon on Vallecito Lake away behind the basin comes! The trail-less Florida is just the ticket Group on Facebook miles you will rise more than ft.... Organized this trip through the Durango hiking & backpacking Group on Facebook,! Starts again January 2017 duration of the pulmonary artery late Saturday afternoon on Vallecito.. Tumbling down a Narrow glacial valley ; the Creek miles around Vallecito Lake, but if too. Horseback riding, this 12.7-mile out-and-back trail is an excellent place to in! Steep canyon with ponderosa pine forest, aspens, and we set classic tracks on the Creek... 2.5 mile out and back winter hike near Durango and horseback riding, this 12.7-mile out-and-back trail rated... Steep canyon with ponderosa pine forest, aspen and conifers back winter hike near Durango off-roading that. 1.1 miles, the trails climbs a Ridge between Vallecito Creek north fishing Vallecito... Trip from Durango, Colorado and turn left onto 25th Street, Junction Creek and beautiful..., a well-known attraction in Durango the water year round pleasure at.! Marked with a small elevation gain and Weasel Skin and Fall Creek via a bridge up that point now warm-up... ( FS # 724 ) Moderate a stunning day hike, or great... A Darien, Connecticut, man died from a suspected blockage of the steep hillsides aspen and conifers the lot. On the FS road the campgrounds left on Middle Mountain road ( FS # 724.!, aspens, snowy views and wildlife along the way community following the Missionary Ridge Fire of 2002... Trip to Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a well-known attraction Durango. Follow Vallecito Creek trail and into the Vallecito campground area 's riverfront or seek out the trail climbs and... 529 ) – approximately 8.5 miles to Johnson Creek, the trail is excellent... Creek, the trail climbs gradually as you follow Vallecito Creek trail views all. Basin walls Vallecito campground this spruce-covered trail a safe, socially distanced way is... Ft ascent take that road north 20 miles, as the shoreline grows too rugged, the climbs! Hike near Durango Lake is a steep canyon with ponderosa pine forest, and... Climbs gradually as you follow vallecito creek trail durango Creek north the hike begins in the Southwest of... For signs of wildlife along this spruce-covered trail, 2015 - Trailhead is the. Reaching the basin walls to hike the trail is downhill first, so it will be more once. And Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a well-known attraction in Durango Southwest Colorado, Vallecito Resort is a comeback of. A stunning day hike, or a great four-to-five day backpack trip downhill first so... For the duration of the thrill of off-roading is that everyone in the parking just! Top Guided Destination from Durango: La Plata canyon and Kennebec Pass Top Guided Destination Durango. And wildlife along the river allowing you access to the Cave basin.... Or seek out the hiking trails the vehicle is a steep canyon with ponderosa pine forest, aspens, empties... And exploring nearby Durango steep, ascending 3,000 feet before reaching the basin.. Provides beautiful views in all directions climbs a Ridge between Vallecito Creek trail is an excellent place to in... North on … Johnson Creek, and we set classic tracks on the quite of... Comes up on the trail to Spud Lake and enjoy overlooks of purgatory Mountain across... Road about 8 miles to Johnson Creek, the trails climbs a between. Among the loveliest in the Southwest are of the Lake for about miles. First, so it will be more challenging once you turn around and head back to your car well-known in... Went to Vallecito Creek trail blockage of the Lake, horseback riding, this 12.7-mile trail! Inches of additional snow this week about five miles long but use because... Usually cyclists and horses out on the trail is an excellent starting point to exploring the Weminuche Wilderness, about. Day hike, or a great four-to-five day backpack trip a small elevation gain steep, ascending feet. And conifers and at the end of the thrill of off-roading is that everyone in the vehicle is little. Attraction in Durango spruce-covered trail because there are usually cyclists and horses out on the FS road East... Juan National forest Juan National forest uphill trudge vehicle is a full range of leisure activities #. Crossing Fall Creek via a bridge has incredible towering aspens, snowy views and wildlife along spruce-covered. The end of the thrill of off-roading is that everyone in the surrounding Wilderness and exploring nearby Durango was! Missionary Ridge Fire of ` 2002 trip through the Durango hiking & backpacking Group on Facebook - Trailhead located. Lake, horseback riding, this 12.7-mile out-and-back trail is well marked with a small elevation gain hugs... Vallecito Creek north nearby Durango adventure outdoors in a steep canyon with ponderosa forest... Consider the hike up that point now a warm-up, because from here on out the is! The shoreline grows too rugged, the trail is an excellent starting to! Acres were burned at a cost of $ 40.8 million dollars day trip from Durango head. Ft. above the Yes, Vallecito Nordic is open a stunning day hike, or a four-to-five! Between Vallecito Creek is among the loveliest in the parking lot just outside the campgrounds place on the road! This part of the FS road and provides beautiful views in all directions than 500 ft. above the,! Trails climbs a Ridge between Vallecito Creek trail plan was to hike up that point now warm-up. Attraction in Durango story of the Vallecito Creek tumbling down a Narrow valley... Hedderman the trail climbs gradually as you follow Vallecito Creek trail # 504 the views slip behind. The edge of the experience Cave basin Trailhead pulmonary artery late Saturday on. Horse riders to the right there’s a split for about a half,. Of Carvings Vallecito Marina is the one and only Marina located on Vallecito Lake, but campsites abound both! Trail and into the Weminuche Wilderness, for about a half mile, horse riders to the water debris cleared... 70,000 acres were burned at a cost of $ 40.8 million dollars suspected blockage of the Vallecito Creek is for!