Deep Creek Overlook

Copyright: USDA Forest Service Deep Creek Canyon

SPECIAL INTERESTS
LIMBER PINE - The largest limber pine next to the parking lot is the oldest living thing on the Eagle Ranger District. Increment bores of this tree show that it first began life on this site about 1297, around 700 years ago. Archaeological surveys of this area suggest that the native Ute people of Colorado may have made their stone spear points sitting under this same tree.

DEEP CREEK CANYON - At either overlook, there are incredible views of Deep Creek, 2,300 ft below. The narrow canyon is strewn with downed timber and boulders, while dense stands of moisture-loving Douglas fir line the creek bed. Across the canyon, the south-facing slopes support pygmy forests of Piñon and juniper. The wetter grassland mesas fringed with aspen are common feeding areas for cattle, deer and elk. Often herds of elk can be seen on the canyon rim.

CANYON GEOLOGY - The geologic history of Deep Creek Canyon spans about 350 million years. The steep cliffs show many layers of sandstone and limestone. The canyon cuts through a karst area, an irregular limestone region with many underground streams and caverns. There are as many as thirty caves in Deep Creek Canyon. Groaning Cave, the largest cave in Colorado, goes 7 miles deep into the side of the canyon.

DISTANT VIEWS - The prominent peak in the distance to the north is "W" mountain fringed by the cliffs defining the Flat Tops wilderness. The middle background to the east and northeast is the Colorado River Valley; which was the 1860 boundary of the Ute Indian Reservation. To the east beyond the River valley, Castle Peak stands at 11,200 feet. Behind Castle Peak, the Gore range with its 13,000 foot peaks, is visible.

Directions from Eagle: Travel 12 miles west of Eagle on I-70 to the Dotsero exit, follow signs for Sweetwater and Burns turning north on the Colorado River Road. Stay on the River Road for 1.8 miles, then turn left on FDR 600, the Coffee Pot Road and travel 16 miles up. Make a right turn at the Deep Creek Overlook sign and go 1/4 mile to the parking lot. There are no facilities at this site.

Directions from Vail: Travel 43 miles west of Eagle on I-70 to the Dotsero exit, follow signs for Sweetwater and Burns turning north on the Colorado River Road. Stay on the River Road for 1.8 miles, then turn left on FDR 600, the Coffee Pot Road and travel 16 miles up. Make a right turn at the Deep Creek Overlook sign and go 1/4 mile to the parking lot. There are no facilities at this site.

Directions from Beaver Creek: Travel 34 miles west of Eagle on I-70 to the Dotsero exit, follow signs for Sweetwater and Burns turning north on the Colorado River Road. Stay on the River Road for 1.8 miles, then turn left on FDR 600, the Coffee Pot Road and travel 16 miles up. Make a right turn at the Deep Creek Overlook sign and go 1/4 mile to the parking lot. There are no facilities at this site.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: June through October (NOTE: Seasonal access dependent upon snow.) .

Coffee Pot Spring Campground - Coffee Pot Spring Campground, with 6 developed sites, sits on the edge of an aspen stand at an elevation of 10,000 feet, with a sweeping view of the surrounding mountain ranges.

Deep Creek Overlook Trails - These two short trails lead to overlooks of the spectacular , 2,300 foot deep, Deep Creek Canyon.