wildernet

Blanco Ranger District

Quick Facts

Stillwater Trail

Beginning Elevation:	9,720 Feet (3029.9 Meters)
Difficulty:	Moderate
Elevation Gain:	680 Feet (212.0 Meters)
Ending Elevation:	10,400 Feet (3241.9 Meters)
Length:	4.2 Miles (7.0 Kilometers)
Trail Number:	1,814
Usage:	Heavy

General Description

The trail starts at an elevation of 9,720 feet, near where Cabin Creek flows into Trappers Lake. After climbing 100 yards on a gentle slope, the Chinese Wall comes into view across an open meadow. Crossing the meadow, the trail enters the timber and follows Cabin Creek 1 mile to Little Trappers Lake. Passing by the lake the trail climbs through stands of beetle killed spruce and spruce- fir until after 2 miles it emerges onto the Flat Tops plateau at 11,000 feet. Continuing across the rolling tundra for one mile, the trail junctions with the Chinese Wall Trail. The Chinese Wall Trail starts on Ripple Creek Pass 12 miles to the west, crosses the northeast section of the Flat Tops near the Devils Causeway and continues across the eastern Flat Tops plateau. One-half mile past this junction, the Stillwater Trail enters the Routt National Forest at an elevation of 11,400 feet. On the Routt National Forest it is called the Bear River Trail.

The trail drops off the Flat Tops Plateau into the Yampa River Drainage in a scattered spruce and fir forest. It descends past Mosquito Lake to its destination at Stillwater Reservoir.

Directions from Meeker: Stillwater Trail is located 50 miles east of Meeker. Take State Highway 13 east out of Meeker for one mile; turn right on County Road 8 for 39 miles to the Trappers Lake Road turn right for 10 miles to the Trappers Lake outlet parking lot. From the outlet parking lot, head south on the Carhart Trail around the east side of Trappers Lake for 3/4 miles to Stillwater Trail junction.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: May through November (NOTE: Always open. Beware of severe Winter conditions.) .

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Open Updated: 2000-05-26 18:01:00.0

Add your own trip Report! Newly re-released feature. One of the most popular features on Wildernet, trip reports allow you to share your experiences with others. This is an invaluable resource for determining what to expect on your outdoor adventure, so please participate! To prevent spamming, you must be a registered user of Wildernet in order to submit a trip report

No trip reports filed to date. Please be the first one to do so!

Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Backpacking		Yes
	Cold Water Fishing	Several fishing lakes lie within a short distance of the trail.
	Hiking & Walking
	Horseback Riding		Yes

Related Activities

Bear River Trail - The Bear River Trail, located in the Flat Tops southwest of Yampa, leads from the Stillwater trailhead, up to the headwaters of the Bear River, into the White River National Forest.

Carhart Trail - The Carhart Trail circles Trappers Lake close to the shore on the east and north sides providing fishing access.

Chinese Wall Trail - This trail begins near Ripple Creek Pass and leads into the Flat Tops Wilderness. The trail provides panoramic views of the White River and Williams Fork drainages and the Flat Tops Plateau.

Trappers Lake Campground - Trappers Lake is located 50 miles east of Meeker. There are four campgrounds available in the Trappers Lake area: Bucks, Trapline, Cutthroat and Shepherds Rim. All four are described here.

Trappers Lake Trail - This trail leads from south of Trappers Lake, up Fraser Creek and up onto the Flat Tops Plateau. It continues across the Flat Tops Wilderness to Indian Camp Pass, north of Deep Lake.