Ten Mile Park Four-Wheel Drive Road

Copyright: USDA Forest Service Looking over the south end of the Flat Tops

This tour starts on FDR 618 with a bird's eye view of Deep Lake. After easy grades for three miles the road forks to the right where a steeper and rockier section will make for difficult travel if conditions are wet. If conditions are dry you should have no problems here or further down the road--you've just passed the roughest part. Your reward comes at the end of FDR 619 where the views are the best. The entire route stays above a lofty 10,500 feet so winds can be strong, and storms can arrive on very short notice.

SPECIAL INTERESTS
SCENERY: After parking your vehicle you can enhance the view by hiking along the ridge which runs east. A faint trail can be hiked for about a mile through aspen trees, cresting at the edge of a meadow. When the fall colors arrive, this is an excellent vantage point.
WILDFLOWERS: Late July and early August are the best times to see alpine wildflowers in full bloom.
WILDLIFE: With its mix of forest and meadow, both deer and elk can be spotted early in the morning or late in the day. Predatory birds are common. As the winds calm down in the evening, the din of coyotes might even be heard.

Directions from Eagle: Follow I-70 westbound 12 miles to the Dotsero exit (#133). Continue north 1.5 miles and turn left onto FDR 600, the Coffee Pot Road. At about the 30 mile mark, past the turnoff for Deep Lake, a sign will indicate the start of FDR 618. This road should be followed until it turns right and downhill to Sam's Spring (about 7 miles past the start of FDR 618). Instead of turning right, drive straight ahead to begin FDR 619. This road will end 1.4 miles down the road where there is space to park and turn around.

Directions from Vail: Follow I-70 westbound 43 miles to the Dotsero exit (#133). Continue north 1.5 miles and turn left onto FDR 600, the Coffee Pot Road. At about the 30 mile mark, past the turnoff for Deep Lake, a sign will indicate the start of FDR 618. This road should be followed until it turns right and downhill to Sam's Spring (about 7 miles past the start of FDR 618). Instead of turning right, drive straight ahead to begin FDR 619. This road will end 1.4 miles down the road where there is space to park and turn around.

Directions from Beaver Creek: Follow I-70 westbound 34 miles to the Dotsero exit (#133). Continue north 1.5 miles and turn left onto FDR 600, the Coffee Pot Road. At about the 30 mile mark, past the turnoff for Deep Lake, a sign will indicate the start of FDR 618. This road should be followed until it turns right and downhill to Sam's Spring (about 7 miles past the start of FDR 618). Instead of turning right, drive straight ahead to begin FDR 619. This road will end 1.4 miles down the road where there is space to park and turn around.

Seasonal Information:
Recommended Season: July through September .

Deep Lake Campground - Deep Lake Campground sits on the edge of Deep Lake, at an elevation of 10,580 feet. It is the largest and most popular campground on the Eagle Ranger District.