The trail is the main access route to West Ute Lake and is an easy to hike along West Ute Creek. The trail travels up a steady, steep climb through the old-growth spruce fir below West Ute Lake.

The West Ute Creek Trail is well-defined and easy to follow. The 1-mile long section of this trail immediately below West Ute Lake was reconstructed in 1981. The trail begins at a gradual grade up the open West Ute Creek bottom for about a 4-mile distance. The trail is the main access route to West Ute Lake and is easy to hike through the open grassy parks and meadows along West Ute Creek. The trail will then begin a steady steep climb through the old-growth spruce fir below West Ute Lake. As the trail emerges from the timber, it joins the Continental Divide Trail at the mouth of the Lake.

The trail is easy to hike through the open grassy parks and meadows along West Ute Creek.

Directions: From Creede, Colorado, Travel southwest on Colorado Highway 149 for 20.1 miles to Forest Road #520 (Upper Rio Grande River Road). Then, go approximately 16.0 miles to the Ute Creek Trailhead. Hike up the main Ute Creek Trail #819 to about 0.25 mile past Black Lake. West Ute Trail #825 is signed and easily recognizable.

Elevation: 10,800 feet

Ending Elevation: 11,800 feet

Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet

Usage: Moderate

Difficulty: Easy

Visitor Information

Contact Wildernet