Hay Park trail starts 1.5 miles up Thomas Lakes Trail and ends at Hay Park. It travels through aspens and meadows with occasional patches of spruce and fir. It is an easy hike with water available. You can access Mt. Sopris via this trail with less contact with other users. This trail is popular with mountain bikes, and has access into Capitol Creek, making it a loop trail. Remember, no bikes in the Wilderness. The Wilderness boundary is just before Thomas Lakes on the Thomas Lakes Trail.

Directions: From Carbondale, From Carbondale travel south on Hwy. 133 for approximately 1.4 miles. Make a left turn on Prince Creek road and go about 6 miles to the fork in the road. Take the fork to the right and follow it for about 2 miles. You will park at the Thomas Lakes trailhead and travel 1.5 miles up Thomas Lakes trail to the Hay Park trail (the left fork).

Elevation: 8,500 feet

Ending Elevation: 9,500 feet

Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet

Distance: 2.0 miles

Usage: Moderate

Difficulty: Easy

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