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Conejos Peak Ranger District

Quick Facts

Adams Fork Trail

Beginning Elevation:	10,100 Feet (3148.4 Meters)
Difficulty:	Easy
Elevation Gain:	1,400 Feet (436.4 Meters)
Ending Elevation:	11,500 Feet (3584.8 Meters) Ends at Divide Trail 813
Length, One-way:	6.5 Miles (10.83 Kilometers)
Trail Number:	713
Usage:	Light
USGS Maps:	Platoro, Summit Peak

General Description

The trailhead starts above Platoro Reservoir on Forest Road 247. The trail is well suited for day hiking or overnight use. The trail is relatively easy and provides access to the South San Juan Wilderness, 1.5 miles from the trail head. A hiker has views of Platoro Reservoir and Adams Fork Creek as it cuts its way through a glacier valley to the Continental Divide. The trail is a short distance from the creek as it winds around side canyons, through Engelmann spruce and alpine fir forests.

The trail continues to climb until it turns west. At this point, a hiker has a view of the Continental Divide with Summit Peak to the north. When hikers reach the trail junctions, they have the opportunity to hike north or south along the Continental Divide. There are opportunities for camping along Adams Fork Creek. Attractions are alpine meadows with the rocky peaks of the Continental Divide in the background.

Directions from Antonio: Drive west from Antonito on Highway 14. From the junction of Forest Development Road # 250 and Forest Development Road # 247, drive 4.7 miles southwest along Platoro Reservoir on Forest Development Road # 247 to the trailhead.

Directions: Via the Continental Divide Trail #813

Seasonal Information:
Normally Open: Year-round .

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Typical spring conditions indicate you can expect to encounter snow about 10,000 feet. Updated: 2000-05-09 10:27:00.0

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Filed By: philip (ovilla, TX)
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: the trail was somewhat difficult to find but once found it was good. the first mile was near the hardest. the trip was amazing. if you take this trip be sure the trail has been cleared as it hadnt when i went up there. you will know when you reach the split in the trail. i suggest you continue up the saddle to the top of that mountain. amaizng veiw and very rewarding climb.
Conditions: this year colorado had super recod snowfall. there was still snow everywhere when i went in the middle of july. not many bugs really, but the fallen trees blocked the path and made it difficult to continue. parts of the trail are dangerous as to steep incline with rocky ground. it would be easy to slip down here.
Water Availability: we were way over packed. we packed to much food and not enough clothes. its cold people. real cold. be sure to bring a good sleeping bag. there were planty of little streams to filter water out of. we never had an issue there.
Suggested Accessories: bring rope on any trip just in case. this one was no different. dont take the cheap route and get stuff that wont last the trip. my walking stick broke and made it difficult the rest of the way.

Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Backpacking	Along Adams Fork Creek	Yes
	Cold Water Fishing	Rainbow trout in Adam's Fork Creek	Yes
	Hiking & Walking	Adams Fork Trail	Yes
	Horseback Riding	Relatively easy	Yes
	Viewing Scenery	Alpine meadows and the rocky peaks of the Continental Divide	Yes

Related Activities

Adams Fork - The Adams Fork flows from headwaters below Summit Peak on the Continental Divide to join the Conejos River near Platoro Reservoir.

Continental Divide - Blue Lake to Elwood Pass Tra - Visitors will be rewarded with spectacular vistas in all directions. Due to the exposed nature of most of this trail, extremely close watch should be kept on weather conditions.

Continental Divide - Cumbres Pass to Blue Lake Tra - This is a short segment of the entire Continental Divide Trail but the terrain differs considerably from that of most of the divide.

Mix Lake Campground - Mix Lake Campground is located one mile west of Platoro in the Conejos River drainage. Many bodies of water provide fishing and there is access to the South San Juan Wilderness nearby.

Spruce Lakes Trail - This trail is within the Weminuche Wilderness. Fishing and sightseeing are popular attractions for recreationists visiting this area. Camping is recommended in an open park close to the trailhead.