Follow FDR #578 for approximately 9 miles to the Hermosa Creek trailhead in Hermosa Park. 483.89 m Up Based in Durango, Colorado, Durango Trails is a 501(c)3 organization that builds and maintains trails, educates trail users and encourages connectivity on road, path and trail. • We offer a compact version of Go-Colorado for mobile users, allowing you to access just the information you need on the road. • • • Spam? 6,544' Up • • Follow FDR #578 for approximately 9 miles to the Hermosa Creek trailhead in Hermosa Park. • 704.42 m Down, 18.9 mi 704.12 m Up Parking is available. Home | About Us | Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Statement | Oh, Ranger! Directions from Durango, Colorado: Access 1: 22 miles north of Durango on U.S. Highway 550, turn off the highway southwest of the Needles Country Store. 2,377' Up NOT OKAY! Located within the Columbine Ranger District of San Juan National Forest, the 9.9 mile Elbert Creek Trail #512 is rated more difficult and receives medium use.Elbert Creek Trail begins at an elevation of 8,000' (From trailhead near Needles Country Store) and an ending elevation of 8,400' (Hermosa Creek). Day trips can be planned from access points 1 and 2 and Castle Rock can be climbed from them as well. At the trailhead, navigate your way through the cattle gates, being sure to close them behind you, and begin your hike along a flat, shaded trail. The west section, ridden east to west, is a less trafficked trail. 724.08 m Down. 2,311' Down From there, the trail curves around the base of Castle Rock and continues to climb. Continue south until you hit the Castle Rock Road. Go through the gates adjacent to the corral to begin the trail. Being a jerk / offensive? Technical terrain with no alternate lines. Directions from Durango: Access 2: Turn onto Hermosa Park Road (FDR 578), just north of Purgatory and 29 miles north of Durango on U.S. 550. You must have JavaScript enabled to fill out this form. The first half of the hike travels through one of these groves and the light that is filtered through the leaves becomes bright gold in the morning. Elbert Creek Trail #512: Animas River Drainage. Shortly after beginning the trail there is a creek crossing. Beginning Elevation: 8,800 Feet (2743.1 Meters) Leaf peepers on the hunt for a show of color will find the changing aspens in the fall stunning and very well worth the effort of reaching the peak. Please explain. Select All. Turn left into the parking lot, but parking for the trail is limited to a few spots on the far south end near the empty cattle pens. Elbert Creek has two main sections bisected at Forest Road 581. Blog | Twitter! 1,824' Up From the Needles Country Store, the trail climbs steadily uphill on an east-facing slope inhabited by aspens. A quick 20-minute drive north on Highway 550 from Durango will find you at the Needles Country Store. The South Elbert Trail is the standard route for winter climbing. Steep. At the trailhead, navigate your way through the cattle gates, being sure to close them behind you, and begin your hike along a flat, shaded trail. 6,235' Up You can send yourself an email as well. The trailhead is at the corrals. 419.53 m Up All Rights Reserved and. Elbert Creek Campground. It then crosses Elbert Creek Road (Forest Road 581) and climbs a small hill, traversing beautiful, scenic meadows. Be sure to close the gates as you go through. Many loose boulders and cobbles from recent downpours. And we wouldn’t exist without your support! The cliff band emerges abruptly from the forest showing, among other landmarks, Purgatory Flats, the Animas River Basin, Potato Hill, Engineer, Twilight peak and the Needles, Pigeon Peak, and Electra Lake. It then crosses Elbert Creek Road (Forest Road 581) and climbs a small hill, traversing beautiful, scenic meadows. A spring surfaces near the cabin at the base of Castle Rock. This trail goes a couple miles down to the Elbert Creek Trail. All Rights Reserved. Then ride along the Cliff Edge Trail about a mile until you reach Joe’s Jump and the Hermosa Cliffs Overlook. Something else? Water is available, but requires filtering to prevent possible Giardia. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching. On this narrow trail, be aware of other trail users, including horses, as this is a common ride year round. -107.824061, Live like a Durango local whenever, wherever, Outdoor destinations + local stories & exclusive outdoor events. An Adventure Projects staff member will review this and take an appropriate action, but we generally don't reply. At the trailhead, navigate your way through the cattle gates, being sure to close them behind you, and begin your hike along a flat, shaded trail. Featured trails – Castle Rock: Cliff Top Park is a huge area roughly defined by the Hermosa Cliffs on the east, Elbert Creek on the south and Elbert Creek Road on the west and north. This is a very popular campground for hikers. 123.3 km Click on any additional guides you would like to receive. Hikers looking for views will not be disappointed with the views from Purgatory Cliffs, which include the surrounding mountains and surrounding evergreen valley. Elbert Creek has two main sections bisected at Forest Road 581.