Elk Creek/Colorado Trail #503

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Permits are not required for overnight trips in San Juan National Forest, but wilderness regulations apply on this trail. Elk Creek Trail is one of the most heavily used trails in the Weminuche Wilderness, so following designated wilderness restrictions are essential in order to protect the area's pristine environment.

Elk Creek #503 is the part of the Colorado Trail that climbs from the bottom of the Animas River up to the Continental Divide. It parallels Elk Creek and crosses side trails leading into the Grenadier Mountain Range, the Needle Mountains, Eldorado Lake, Vallecito Lake and many other scenic spots.

The western end of the trail is at the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, so you can reach that point either by riding the train to the Elk Park stop, or by hiking down the Molas/Colorado Trail #665 from Molas Pass. The eastern end of Elk Creek Trail is at the Continental Divide Trail which extends north and south from that point.