The trailhead begins at a difficult to find spot just before Dry Buck Loop. Look for a faint old jeep road on the left. Follow this jeep road down through an open meadow with spruce and fir on either side. The trail will lead you down to Wagonwheel Creek in a northwesterly direction through a variety of colorful wildflowers. Cross the creek and continue on the road which becomes faint to nonexistent in places. Be sure to stay close to the creek, walking in this open meadow along flat terrain. The creek will drop off into a canyon, and soon after the trail will gradually descend through a meadow and boulders. You will be walking across a steep slope with beautiful views of the creek and Shingle Peak in the distance. The trail will descend through aspen, and then spruce and fir,descending steeply until it ends at Budges Resort. The Wagonwheel trail will take you into wilderness area. Please be sure to practice wilderness ethics while on this trail.SPECIAL INTERESTS
WILDFLOWERS - The meadows of the Wagonwheel trail support a variety of wildflowers, adding much color to the surrounding greens. You can find flax, paintbrushes, forget-me-nots,aster, lupine, larkspur, penstemon, elephant blossom WILDLIFE - Various species of wildlife are often visible during the early morning or evening hours all along the trail. Herds of elk make this area home. If lucky you may be able to see coyote
Directions from Eagle: Go 12 miles west on I-70 to the Dotsero exit. Take a right off the exit ramp, and then a right onto Colorado River Road. After 1.8 miles take a left onto Coffee Pot Road, FDR 600. Stay on this winding dirt road keeping your eyes open for logging trucks. After 27.5 miles take a left toward Heart Lake onto FDR 601. Drive for 1.5 miles and at the fork with FDR 601 and 640, stay right on FDR 640. After 2 miles take a right onto Wagonwheel Rd. FDR 645. Drive for 1.5 miles, cross a creek and take a left onto Dry Buck Loop FDR 644. At .8 mile go left following the Dry Buck Loop. The trailhead is .2 miles on the left starting at an unmarked old jeep road.
Directions from Vail: Go 43 miles west on I-70 to the Dotsero exit. Take a right off the exit ramp, and then a right onto Colorado River Road. After 1.8 miles take a left onto Coffee Pot Road, FDR 600. Stay on this winding dirt road keeping your eyes open for logging trucks. After 27.5 miles take a left toward Heart Lake onto FDR 601. Drive for 1.5 miles and at the fork with FDR 601 and 640, stay right on FDR 640. After 2 miles take a right onto Wagonwheel Rd. FDR 645. Drive for 1.5 miles, cross a creek and take a left onto Dry Buck Loop FDR 644. At .8 mile go left following the Dry Buck Loop. The trailhead is .2 miles on the left starting at an unmarked old jeep road.
Directions from Beaver Creek: Go 43 miles west on I-70 to the Dotsero exit. Take a right off the exit ramp, and then a right onto Colorado River Road. After 1.8 miles take a left onto Coffee Pot Road, FDR 600. Stay on this winding dirt road keeping your eyes open for logging trucks. After 27.5 miles take a left toward Heart Lake onto FDR 601. Drive for 1.5 miles and at the fork with FDR 601 and 640, stay right on FDR 640. After 2 miles take a right onto Wagonwheel Rd. FDR 645. Drive for 1.5 miles, cross a creek and take a left onto Dry Buck Loop FDR 644. At .8 mile go left following the Dry Buck Loop. The trailhead is .2 miles on the left starting at an unmarked old jeep road.
Seasonal Information:
Recommended Season:
June through October .
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Updated: 2001-06-26 14:47:00.0
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