This wooded trail begins as an old mining road up through aspen, spruce and fir forest. At 1/4 of a mile, it passes through a meadow and upper town Fulford, a series of old log cabins. The trail crosses Nolan Creek and heads east up White Quail Gulch. At the fork, continue right going downhill towards the creek. After narrowing some, the trail is level before becoming fairly steep. The spruce/fir forest is dense now and travel becomes slower with the additional rise in elevation and exposed rocks and roots in the trail. The trail takes a confusing left curve up a large sloping gray rock near a talus slope and a waterfall. Near the end, the trail heads westward going up and over a ridge. Then it descends through wet meadows of paintbrushes and marsh marigolds to Nolan Lake. The trail enters the Holy Cross Wilderness 1.7 miles up. Please practice wilderness ethics to preserve this resource.

SPECIAL INTERESTS
FISHING - The 7.2 acres of Nolan Lake offer bank fishing for brook trout.

SCENIC VIEWS - The area around Nolan Lake offers excellent photography opportunities. The sharply-pointed granite peaks of Craig Peak (11,902 ft) accent the lake beautifully. At the south end of the lake, on top of a ridge of rocks there is a nice view of the town of Fulford in the foreground, with the snowcapped Gore Range way beyond.

WILDLIFE - Look for pikas, a relative of the rabbit, in the large rock slides as you hike. These medium-sized gray animals can be seen collecting hay for their winter food supply.

Directions: From Beaver Creek, Travel west on I-70 to Eagle (exit #147). Turn left and drive into Eagle. Turn left on Capitol Street and follow to Brush Creek Road. Turn left and follow Brush Creek Road10 miles south of Eagle. Turn left at the Y onto East Brush Creek Road, FDR 415. Drive 10.3 miles, going past Yeoman Park and following the road as it curves left sharply uphill. The trailhead is on the right, just past the road to Fulford. There is some parking on the left side of the road. There are no facilities at the trailhead.

Elevation: 9,920 feet

Ending Elevation: 11,280 feet

Elevation Gain: 1,360 feet

Distance: 3 miles

Usage: Heavy

Difficulty: Strenuous

Visitor Information