 Please contact the Pagosa Ranger District Office, 970-264-2268, regarding camping at Trail Heads and Campfire restrictions. |
 Crater Lake - Although this hike takes about 2 hours to get to the trailhead, the amazing scenery, incredible alpine wildflowers, and crysal clear Crater Lake is well worth the trip. The entire hike is about 7.5 miles roundtrip and includes a 1500 foot descent into Crater Lake and then a 1500 foot ascent on the way out. It is a strenous hike and starts at about 10,000 feet. In the middle of the hike you are traversing across the top of the mountain at about 12,000 feet, so it is important to start the hike early in the morning and be off the peak by Noon. To get to the trailhead take Highway 160 East over Wolf Creek Pass to Park Creek Road. Take Park Creek several miles until road forks. The left fork takes you to Summitville Mine and the right fork takes you pass Elwood Pass. Take the right fork and follow signs to Elwood Pass. You will go about 1 miles past the entrance to Elwood Pass. There is a small wooden sign that is easy to miss on the right side. Park along the road and begin hiking at the sign. If you go too far, you will see a sign to Crater Lake on the return way back.
Four Mile Falls - This is a popular hike and connects with the Anderson Trail for a longer, more difficult hike. The trail winds through dense forest of spruce and aspen as well as meadows and is very scenic in the Fall. Drive north nine miles from downtown Pagosa Springs on Fourmile Road. Turn right at the junction and travel five more miles to the trailhead. Take the trail to the right and follow it three miles to Four Mile Falls. If you continue on past the falls, you will encounter several more waterfalls as well as Four Mile Lakes. The trail becomes increasingly difficult past Four Mile Falls. |
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