Quartz Creek has its headwaters near the Continental Divide in the southern Sawatch Mountain Range. North, Middle and South Quartz Creeks flow down from the divide and join near Pitkin. From this confluence Quartz Creek flows in a southwesterly direction to Parlin. In Parlin Quartz Creek joins the waters of Tomichi Creek. The last twelve miles or so of the creek, before it joins Tomichi Creek, lie entirely within private lands. A short section of public fishing is available in the Roosevelt Picnic Ground vicinity. Above Pitkin nearly the entire area is public land. Side drainages that contain fish are: Middle Quartz Creek, Cold Creek, South Quartz Creek and Halls Gulch Creek. The upper sections of the drainage (above Ohio City) are typical mountain streams, cold, clear water with a good mix of riffles and pools. The lower sections are slower and warmer. The fish species include rainbow, brook and brown trout with an occasional native (cutthroat) at high elevations. The smaller secluded streams have beaver dams where food is adequate for that water engineer. These areas normally occur in the higher portions of the streams.
Directions from Gunnison: Drive east on Highway 50 12 miles to Parlin and turn left onto the BLM Road 3101 to Pitkin. The entire Quartz Creek drainage is before you.
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