Green's Creek Out-and-Back

Dogs Off-leash

Features River/Creek

Green's Creek is a popular mountain bike downhill from the nearby Monarch Crest trail, and it's also moto-legal. Consequently, this isn't normally a fantastic choice for hiking—unless it's springtime. In mid-to-late spring, Green's Creek offers a beautiful hike in the big mountains that's accessible from its relatively low-elevation trailhead. Most of Green's Creek will be doable well before the Monarch Crest has melted out higher up the mountain. During this time of year, this trail serves up a fantastic out-and-back route next to the rushing mountain stream swollen with snowmelt and beneath the budding branches of the aspen trees.

While the Green's Creek trailhead is relatively low in elevation, it is located several miles up a moderately steep dirt road. The dirt road is generally considered to be a two-wheel-drive road, but some water bars might be tough for some sedans to negotiate. That said, anything as rugged as a Subaru will be just fine.

The trail begins directly from the trailhead, and no route finding is required here. This is a simple out-and-back route, and there isn't even an option to take a wrong turn. If hiking in the springtime, you'll simply hike until you reach the snow line, then turn around and head down. Note that higher up the trail, there is at least one section where the trail forks. This is simply an alternate line—both forks eventually come back together. If hiking this trail in the summer or fall, you can indeed reach the Monarch Crest. Once on the Crest, feel free to tack on some bonus miles on the Continental Divide Trail.

Right out of the trailhead, the trail climbs fairly steeply up a rough, rocky trough formed by the motorcycle traffic. Hang in there—after a short distance the grade mellows out and the quality of the trail tread improves directly. You'll soon find yourself enjoying spectacular views of the mountain ridges rising dramatically above the valley floor, the rushing stream below, and the gorgeous aspen groves.

If you can catch it when it's free of moto traffic, this trail is a true gem!