North Fork Indian Creek

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Motorcycles are allowed on this and the South Fork Indian Creek trail. Outfitters bring horses up into this area as well. Fall hunting is popular in the area.

This is one of the more challenging yet beautiful trails in the Palisades area. Trails here are rugged but offer views that are breathtaking. There will be a few creek crossings on this section of trail, so prepare to get your feet wet.

The first 4+ miles to the Garden Canyon Trail turn is very doable. Rocky terrain and sometimes overgrown brush make for some challenges. When you start to climb, after crossing the creek for the final time on this section, the vertical steepness becomes the challenge. Around the time you hit the switchbacks (yes, they do end at some point), you'll notice waterfalls if you go early enough in the summer.

On the northern end of this trail, there are several trails that meander off the trail in both directions. Follow the map closely. In Lake Basin just past where "the chair" is, the trail transitions to the South Fork Indian Creek trail. If you have come this far, you might as well continue and make a loop out of it! Time this hike right and you'll either have lush flowers down lower or rolling fields of lupines in the meadows and along the hillsides up high.

Pine trees, quaky Aspens, lots of bushes/undergrowth, and flowers galore. Bears, moose, elk, mountain lions, and deer are in the area.