Hiking around Pagosa Country should not be missed. Much of the stunning high country visible from the Pagosa Springs area is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Portions of the Weminuche, Piedra and South San Juan Wilderness areas reach into Pagosa Country. Check out the video below for an idea of what views to expect from a few area trails:

The trails described below cover a variety of terrain and skill levels. For aditional trails or more detailed information, visit the San Juan National Forest website. The U.S. Forest Service, located at 180 Second Street in town, can provide information concerning hikes and trailrides to the following areas: Fourmile Falls, Opal Lake, Piedra Falls, Williams Creek, Turkey Creek Trail, West Fork or Rainbow Trail, Piedra River, Quartz Lake, Anderson Trail and Cimarrona Creek Trail.

Fourmile Falls

Difficulty: Moderate

From U.S. 160, turn north onto Lewis Street, take an immediate left onto 5th Street. Stay right on Fourmile Road (County Road 400 — this becomes #645). Drive north seven miles from Pagosa Springs. Turn right at the junction, travel four more miles to the trailhead. The trail follows Fourmile Creek with Eagle Mountain to the east. The trail is bordered by dense stands of aspen and spruce. At mile three you will reach the waterfall, which drops 300 feet from the cliff above.

Opal Lake

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Mileage: 1.2 miles

Drive south on Colo. 84 from Pagosa Springs approximately eight miles to Blanco Basin Road (#657). After driving 10 miles, turn right across the Blanco River Bridge. Follow the Castle Creek Road (#660) to the signed junction for the Opal Lake Trailhead. Turn right here and drive a short distance to the trailhead on the right. The trail to Opal Lake is 1.2 miles and takes about 45 minutes to hike. A portion of the trail is steep before it traverses an open meadow to the lake. Groves of large aspen line the trail and several beaver dams can be seen in the area. The lake is bordered by wooded hillsides and a sheer mountain face. Minerals deposited at the inlet of the lake give it its milky color.

Piedra Falls

Difficulty: Easy

Drive north on Piedra Road about 17 miles to the junction at Sportman’s Supply. Leave the Piedra Road and continue on the Middle Fork Road (#636) for two miles. Take the first road to the right, East Toner Road (#637), and follow it to the end. Do not attempt to travel this road in wet weather. Walk up the river to a headgate where the trail begins. The falls are impressive, thundering off a cliff into a V-shaped canyon of huge boulders. The hike takes about 15 to 30 minutes each way.

Williams Creek

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Mileage: Depends on destination

Drive north on Piedra Road about 22 miles. Turn right on Williams Creek Road (#640) past Williams Creek Reservoir and Cimarrona Campground, continuing on to the trailhead at the end of the road. The trail follows Williams Creek northward into the Weminuche Wilderness. The old Spanish name for Williams Creek was Huerto: garden-like. The first few miles of Williams Creek give the impression of a gigantic walled garden. Across the creek to the right is a group of peaks eroded from volcanic rock. Set your own destination — it continues on 14 miles to the Continental Divide.

Treasure Falls

Difficulty: Easy

Mileage: .5 miles

Travel 14 miles northeast on U.S. 160 to the base of Wolf Creek Pass. You will see a parking lot on your right. From the parking lot follow a quarter-mile interpretive trail to the bridge at the base of the falls. While standing in the refreshing spray on the bridge, the falls rush hundreds of feet down the cliff toward you. During winter, the frozen falls become a beautiful, sapphire ice sculpture.

Turkey Creek Trail

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Mileage: Depends on destination

Drive 7.3 miles northeast of Pagosa Springs on U.S. 160 to Jackson Mountain access road on the left. Follow it for four miles to the end of the road. This trail is the longest in this section of the Weminuche Wilderness. It is 20 miles from the trailhead through breathtaking scenery to the Continental Divide. Choose your own destination here. A five-mile hike will take you to the first creek crossing.

Piedra River

Difficulty: Easy

Mileage: Depends on destination

The upper terminus of the trail begins on the Piedra Road about 16 miles north of Pagosa Springs. After crossing the Piedra River you will notice the trailhead parking lot ahead of you on the left. The trail starts on the canyon rim and then descends to the river. Sheer cliffs rise on both sides for over several hundred yards. This is an easy trail for young and old alike if you only go the 3.5 miles to the footbridge across the Piedra. For a longer hike, follow the river for another 8.5 miles. The trail passes several cool box canyons to end at the bridge on the First Fork of the Piedra Road. Shuttle a vehicle to the First Fork Bridge for the longer hike.

Continental Divide Trail

Difficulty: Easy to difficult depending on duration and destination

Mileage: Depends on destination

Turn left on the dirt road just past the Continental Divide marker on the summit of Wolf Creek Pass. Drive 1.5 miles to the Lobo Overlook parking area and microwave tower site. The trail begins behind the microwave tower and follows the Continental Divide, the backbone of the continent and the dividing line for eastern and western watersheds. From the trailhead, you can embark on an easy day hike or begin an extended backcountry journey — hiking options along the Continental Divide trail seem limitless.

Cimarrona Creek Trail

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Mileage: Depends on destination

Drive north on Piedra Road to Williams Lake Road. The trail begins on the left side of Williams Lake Road just beyond the entrance of Cimarrona Campground. The first two miles of trail are moderately easy, wandering through conifers and aspen groves. From here many switchbacks start a steep ascent. Choose your destination — the trail continues on to the Continental Divide Trail at Squaw Pass.

Quartz Lake

Difficulty: Difficult

Travel south on Colo. 84 for approximately 1/4 mile and turn left on Mill Creek Road (#662). Drive for approximately 15 miles and bear left on the Nipple Mountain Road (#665). Follow it nearly to the end. You will see a trailhead sign on the left. The first two miles of the Little Blanco Trail are steep and winding. You will travel through aspen groves and pine forest to a narrow ridge with a sweeping view to the west. Follow the trail to the junction of the Quartz Lake Trail. The trail continues to the left for another mile to Quartz Lake. The lake itself is relatively small, but pristine. Expect winds at the top and in the lake area.

 Content Courtesy of the Pagosa Sun.

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