Vallecito Creek Trail – Easy/Moderate. But where the shoreline mellows, the route drops down to hug Vallacito Creek at the foot of the steep hillsides. Seven picnic sites are near the campground entrance, along the creek. Beyond Johnson Creek, the views open up. After .6 miles you enter the Weminuche wilderness. After 0.5 miles, as the shoreline grows too rugged, the trail climbs higher and the views slip away behind the basin walls. You will find the beginning of Vallecito Creek Trail at the Vallecito Creek campground, just a few miles past the North end of Vallecito Lake near the towns of Bayfield and Durango. Vallecito Creek Trail. Park in the parking lot for the trailhead. The Vallecito Valley is packed with people but once you reach the Johnson Creek juncture you should be free of pesky day hikers. 30 Miles round trip. Vallecito Creek Trailhead. Vallecito Creek Trail: Access from the east. Note: On the Vallecito Trail, the third bridge (counting from the South) across Vallecito Creek is out due to an avalanche in the winter of 2004-2005. Review of San Juan National Forest. From CR 501 continue to North end of the Lake and bear left (North) for 2.8 miles on CR 500 to reach Vallecito Campground and trailhead parking. The trails have been cleared. Vallecito Creek Trail: Vallecito Creek at the ford, where the bridge washed out years ago, and water is almost thigh deep. The hike begins in a steep canyon with ponderosa pine forest, aspen and conifers. There is a slide debris pile near Rock Creek (but ok via foot). Vallecito Creek Trail (#529) – approximately 8.5 miles to Johnson Creek, 2000 ft ascent. Vallecito Campground area map. The trail climbs gradually as you follow Vallecito Creek north. The avalanche debris was cleared from the trail in fall 2007. Vallecito Creek Trail From Johnson Creek to Hunchback Pass #529: Pine River Drainage. Backpacked the Vallecito Creek trail up to Hunchback Pass. Between June 9 and July 28, over 70,000 acres were burned at a cost of $40.8 million dollars. Pulling about 65 feet higher than the creek, the forest envelops the trail in heavy timber and a thick undergrowth. All we need is SNOW! Spent one night at the campground at the trail head near Vallecito Resevoir. Continue on Vallecito Trail #808. Tour of Carvings. Can't wait to go back & try other trails … About 5.6 miles from Rock Creek, the trail comes up on the Needle/Johnson Creek Trail #504. Vallecito Creek Trail between Johnson and Hunchback: is all navigable by food but NOT STOCK. Or take Vallecito Creek trail and experience the same breathtaking views. Take the road all the way to the Vallecito campground/trailhead north of the reservoir. Getting There From Durango or Bayfield, head to Vallecito Reservoir. The Tour of Carvings Project is a comeback story of the Vallecito community following the Missionary Ridge Fire of`2002. 2020-2021 at Vallecito Nordic. Reviewed August 26, 2015 . So wax your skis and get ready… This season we welcome an additional partner the Pine River Irrigation District (PRID), which expands our longtime collaboration with the US Forest Service. Vallecito Lake Event Center A stunning day hike on the first few miles of the trail, or a wonderful four-to-five day backpack trip. The Vallecito Creek Trail begins in the Vallecito campground. Vallecito Creek borders one side of the campground and the whole area is … Parking for the Vallecito Creek Trail, a major access point for the Weminuche Wilderness, Colorado's largest (no mountain bikes or motorized vehicles allowed), is at the entrance to the campground. 4 nights on the trail! Pulling west, the trail hugs Vallacito Creek at the foot of the steep hillsides. General Notes: Host on site. 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