Mad Creek Trail

Dogs Leashed

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

Mad Creek Trail is a wonderful out and back trail in Routt National Forrest. Named for the creek that it follows. This trail is a beautiful gateway to the National Forrest. The trailhead has ample parking but can still get crowded on the weekends. While there is a pit toilet, there is no water. Dogs are permitted on leashes on the trail, and the trail is open to mountain bikers as well.

There is a $5 parking fee at the bottom.

Start by immediately ascending above Mad Creek. Almost all of the elevation gain takes place in the first mile, where the trail climbs over 700 feet. The majority of the trail is exposed to the sun, but the views on this portion of the trail are amazing. Looking down the steep embankment, you can see the beautiful gorges that are carved by the creek, and in the early summer runoff, the creek is mad, indeed.

After the first mile, the trail levels out and turns into rolling hills for the next mile. At roughly 1.8 miles in, there is an historic two-story barn that was built in the early 1900s, which was before the land was established as a national forest. The barn was restored in 2000, and you can walk through the structure and enjoy some time in the shade.

Continue along the trail until it meets the banks of the creek, roughly 2.5 miles from the trailhead. Once you reach Mad Creek, turn around and head back to the trailhead. - Description by Blaine Hoppenrath, Outdoor Project

Columbines, paintbrush, pines.

Mad Creek was reportedly named in 1877 after a traveler nearly drowned in the stream, and the trail was once a rugged road wide enough for automobiles. The barn was built by James Ratliff in 1905, who homesteaded in the area.