Soap Creek

The Cliff Creek Trail #840 begins at the Cliff Creek Trailhead across from Horse Ranch Park on Gunnison County Road 12 and ends at an intersection with the Soap Creek Trail #443. It enters into the heart of the West Elk Wilderness from the north, the well-defined trail climbs up through aspen and spruce forests to Beckwith Pass. Sweeping vistas of peaks and wildflower meadows reward the climber. The trail then descends to the headwaters of Cliff Creek and after traversing 0.5 miles of rocky terrain rolls easily through mixed forest dotted with meadows and ponds. After crossing the southern branch of Cliff Creek, there are several trail options to choose from. Castle Pass lies to the east, Soap Basin to the south, or go westward off Mosley Ridge to tie into the Little Robinson Trail #850.

Geo-Ref Trail Map Geo-Reference Instructions

The Coal Mesa Trail #451 begins at the Soap Creek Campground and ends at the intersections with the Rainbow Lake Trail #449. This trail is in the West Elk Wilderness for most of its length and Wilderness Regulations apply. There is a bridge across Soap Creek and the trail enters the Wilderness about half a mile from the trailhead. After about 1.5 miles, the trail intersects with the Cow Creek Trail #453, the Coal Mesa Trail forks to the right and follows Coal Creek. This trail will intersect with the Cow Creek Trail again before it climbs to a ridge that it follows for a distance offering excellent views. The trail gains 3,889 feet in elevation from the trailhead to Bonfisk Peak which is at 11,629 feet. It then drops 1,829 feet to the West Elk Creek. Eventually it intersects the Coal Creek Trail #452 before ending at the Rainbow Lake Trail. Trail Map

The Soap Creek Trail #443 begins at the intersection with the Little Robinson Trail #850 and the Peters Creek Trail #856 in the West Elk Wilderness , where Wilderness Regulations apply, and ends at Soap Creek Road, FSR #721. The trail departs from the intersection and climbs in a southerly direction through aspen and open parks. When it reaches the divide between the Robinson and Soap Creek drainages it enters the Gunnison Ranger District and descends down the Soap Creek drainage. It follows the creek most of the way traveling through conifer, aspen and open parks to its end at FSR #721. Trail Brochure

Soap Creek Trail #443 begins at the end of Soap Creek Road, FSR #721 and ends at the intersection with the Little Robinson Trail #850 and the Peters Creek Trail #856 on the Paonia Ranger District. This trail leads north into the West Elk Wilderness where Wilderness Regulations apply. It climbs steadily, following Soap Creek for about 1.5 miles and intersects with the Soap Basin Trail #442 and the East Soap Trail #535. The Soap Creek Trail forks left at this intersection and continues north along a ridge east of Soap Creek for approximately 1.5 miles before it descends into the drainage and again follows Soap Creek. After crossing the creek and following the creek for about 2 miles it intersects with the Soap Basin Trail again and just past that it intersections with the Sheep Lake Trail #551. The trail ascends out of the Soap Creek drainage traveling through conifer, aspen and open parks to the divide between the Soap Creek and Robinson drainages. Here it crosses into the Paonia Ranger District and continues for approximately half a mile before ending at the intersection with the Little Robinson and Peters Creek trails.