Copyright: USDA Forest Service
Sheep Mountain, Flat Tops Wilderness
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The South Derby Road FDR 613, starting from the Derby Loop and ending at Crescent Lake is considered the roughest, most difficult 4-wheel drive road on the Eagle Ranger District. The road begins in a meadow, passes through aspen and then some ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. For several miles after, it goes through a large burn area with new aspen growth. As the road nears Emerald Lake, it enters pockets of spruce/fir and aspen, and passes the 90 acre Derby Fire area of 1990. Up to Crescent Lake, the road continues through meadows and spruce/fir forest. There are steep sections, stream crossings with no bridges and large jutting rocks in the road. Some of the road is solid rock. The rugged condition of this road makes it extremely difficult for even 4-wheel drive jeeps. ATVs and motorcycles can handle the terrain easier.BURN AREAS - About 1.5 miles up the road, the Red Dirt Fire of 1975 burned approximately 4,500 acres. Now the area has lush green aspen regeneration and some areas were replanted with lodgepole pine. It is advised not to walk in the area for the burned snags can fall at any time. FISHING - Emerald and Crescent Lakes receive high fishing pressure. Ten acre Emerald Lake has brook trout. Crescent Lake, 38 acres, has mackinaw, brook and Colorado native cutthroat trout. Both lakes are stocked by the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
Directions from Eagle: Travel 12 miles west of Eagle on I-70, to the Dotsero exit. Follow signs for Burns, turning north onto the Colorado River Road. Go about 20 miles to Burns, taking a left before the post office onto the Cabin Creek Road. Go up 7 miles to the South Derby Road, FDR 613. An information board and a parking lot large enough to accommodate horse trailers is at the beginning of the road.
Directions from Vail: Travel 43 miles west of Eagle on I-70, getting off at the Dotsero exit. Follow signs for Burns, turning north onto the Colorado River Road. Go about 20 miles to Burns, taking a left before the post office onto the Cabin Creek Road. Go up 7 miles to the South Derby Road, FDR 613. An information board and a parking lot large enough to accommodate horse trailers is at the beginning of the road.
Directions from Beaver Creek: Travel 43 miles west of Eagle on I-70, getting off at the Dotsero exit. Follow signs for Burns, turning north onto the Colorado River Road. Go about 20 miles to Burns, taking a left before the post office onto the Cabin Creek Road. Go up 7 miles to the South Derby Road, FDR 613. An information board and a parking lot large enough to accommodate horse trailers is at the beginning of the road.
Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible:
July through October
(NOTE: most difficult 4wd road on eagle ranger district)
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lower end open Updated: 2002-05-16 08:41:00.0
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