wildernet

Divide Ranger District

Quick Facts

Ivy Creek Trail

Beginning Elevation:	9,200 Feet (2867.8 Meters)
Difficulty:	Easy to Moderate
Elevation Gain:	2,600 Feet (810.5 Meters)
Ending Elevation:	11,800 Feet (3678.3 Meters)
Length, One-way:	8.1 Miles (13.5 Kilometers)
Trail Number:	805
Usage:	Moderate
USGS Maps:	Spar City, River Peak

General Description

The Ivy Creek trail provides the shortest, quickest routs to Goose Lake from the Rio Grande Drainage. From Ivy Creek Campground, hikers should plan a very full day of exercise to get to Goose Lake. The one mile climb out of Ivy Creek Drainage to the Fisher Creek Divide can be a tongue dragging climb in the heat of the day.

Good camping spots are not hard to find along most of the trail. The most frequently used areas are at Goose Lake and near the upper crossing of Ivy Creek. The trail crosses Ivy Creek twice and crossing in the early spring can be dangerous in the spring due to high water. The best panoramic views from the trail are after one climbs out of the Ivy Creek Drainage. Fishing in Ivy Creek is good for pan-sized trout and Goose Lake can have good fishing too.

The trail leaves the campground without any hard climbing. It will cross Ivy Creek within one mile of the trailhead and continue on a very gradual climb through open parks adjacent to Ivy Creek for another 1 1/2 to 2 miles. It then leaves the immediate creek bottom and climbs through spruce-fir stands before coming back to Ivy Creek. At this point, the trail crosses the creek again and then meanders along the edge of an open park for about 1/2 mile. The trail then enters the timber again and begins a steep mile long climb to the divide between Fisher and Ivy Creeks. Once at the open park on the divide, the trail flattens out considerably. Shortly, the trail enters the timber again, and passes through a series of parks and scattered timber for the distance to Goose Lake. The trail is well defined for its entire length.

Directions from Creede: Drive southwest from Creede on Highway 149 for 7 miles to the intersection of Highway 149 and Forest Development Road 523 (Middle Creek Road). Follow the signs giving directions and distances to Ivy Creek Campground. The campground is approximately 10 1/2 miles from Highway 149. The trail begins to the east of the campground and is marked.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Open: June through Mid-September (NOTE: Crossing high creek in Early Spring can be dangerous.) .

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

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Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Backpacking	Along most of the trail	Yes
	Cold Water Fishing	Ivy Creek; Goose Lake	Yes
	Hiking & Walking	Ivy Creek Trail	Yes
	Horseback Riding	Well defined trail	Yes

Related Activities

Goose Creek Trail - The trail grade is gradual for most of the 11 miles that it parallels Goose Creek. Good camping areas abound along the trail.

Ivy Creek Campground - This facility has one developed site with a table and fire ring, and 3 undeveloped sites. This campground is considered to be remote and is usually not heavily used, yet it is very attractive with trees and open grassland.