Copyright: Zander Higbie - Interactive Outdoors, Inc.
View northwest over Stillwater Reservoir. The East Fork Trail leads from Stillwater, up the valley shown here.
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The East Fork Trail is located in the Flat Tops west of Yampa. It leads from Stillwater Reservoir and the Bear River Valley in the south, to Forest Highway 16 and the Williams Fork Valley in the north. This trail provides hikers and horseback riders spectacular scenery and direct access into the northeast corner of the Flat Tops. A number of other trails are joined along its route. The south end of the trail begins at the Stillwater Trailhead parking lot. The first 0.8 mile traverses the north shore of Stillwater Reservoir, where it is common with the Bear River Trail #1120. The East Fork Trail splits to the north, crosses into the Flat Tops Wilderness and climbs to the divide separating the Bear River and Williams Fork drainages at 11,600 feet. To view the Devils Causeway, ascend the high ridge to the southwest of this divide. Crossing the divide on the main trail, the traveler passes the junction of Mandall Lakes Trail #1121 and begins a decent into the Williams Fork Valley, dotted with numerous high altitude lakes. Causeway Lake is passed, and the intersection with Lost Lakes Trail is at Round Lake (mile 6.4). Continuing north, the trail crosses the East Fork of the Williams Fork River and intersects the Black Mountain Creek Trail at mile 8.2. The trail makes another river crossing and intersects the north end of Lost Lakes Trail. This river crossing can be dangerous during high water. At mile 11.6 the Transfer Trail #1172 is intersected. The trail then leaves the wilderness and leads down to the trailhead on Forest Highway 16, near the Pyramid Guard Station. LEAVE NO TRACE As humans, we must minimize our impacts to help preserve this resource for present and future generations.
Directions from Yampa: Stillwater Trailhead (south end of trail): Travel S/SW on County Road 7 for approximately 7 miles to FDR 900. Follow FDR 900 approximately 8 1/2 more miles to the trailhead at Stillwater Reservoir. Both the East Fork Trail #1119 and the Bear River Trail #1120 are common for the first 0.8 mile.North end of trail: Follow County Road 17 north for 5 miles to County Road 132. Follow 132 west 3.4 miles to Forest Highway 16. Continue about 18 miles to the Pyramid Guard Station and the trailhead . This route is a segment of the Flat Tops Scenic Byway.
Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible:
Summer through Fall
(NOTE: Seasons may vary depending on snow depth and weather.)
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