East Fork

This seasonal trail is generally not melted off until late June/early July due to snow levels at this elevation.

This Trailhead serves as an access point for the East Fork Trail No. 1119 and the Flat Tops Wilderness . It is also the closest access point for the Lost Lakes Trail No. 1116 and West Lost Lake Trail No. 1103.

East Fork Trail No. 1119 – This 15.7 mile trail is very popular during summer months as it provides the most direct access to the Devils Causeway and Lost Lakes. This trail can also be accessed from the South at the Stillwater Trailhead .

The trail begins across the road just below the historic Pyramid Guard Station, constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. The trail starts to climb up the East Fork Williams Fork River drainage and meets the Transfer Trail No. 1172, connecting to the Transfer Trailhead , at mile 2.5. At 4.0 miles is the Northern junction with the Lost Lakes Trail No. 1116. The trail then drops down to a crossing of the East Fork Williams Fork River. This crossing is often impassible during spring runoff. Continuing upriver the trail meets the Black Mountain Trail No. 1117 at 6.5 miles. Several old game trails diverge along this section. To stay on the main trail, follow the rock cairns. After 8.3 miles the trail reaches Round Lake and the Southern junction with the Lost Lakes Trail No. 1116.

The trail continues up the valley and passes by Causeway Lake at 9.5 miles. The next 2.5 miles the trail begins to ascend out of the valley to an elevation of 11,600 ft and the top of the Bear River/Williams Fork Divide. Here is where a primitive trail splits off and ascends to the Devils Causeway . The main trail then switchbacks down to Little Causeway Lake and continues to the Stillwater Trailhead.

Lost Lakes Trail No. 1116 – This 6.4 mile trail begins and ends along the East fork Trail No. 1119. This trail follows the West Fork Williams Fork River on its Northern leg through area burned in the Lost Lakes Fire of 2002. The Southern portion of the trail gives access to Round Lake, East Lost Lake, and Round lake. At the midway point is the Junction with the West Lost Lake Trail No. 1103.

West Lost Lake Trail No. 1103 – This 1.5 mile trail is accessed off the Lost lakes Trail No. 1116. The trail gives access to Deep lake and West Lost Lake before climbing up the ridge to meet the Chinese Wall Trail No. 1803 .

No camping or campfires within 100ft of all streams, lakes, and trails.

The alpine vegetation in the Flat Tops is very fragile, PLEASE do not take short cuts as this causes more resource damage.

*Hikers should come prepared with a variety of inspect repellant as the mosquitos are exceptionally thick this year.

The Stillwater Trailhead offers several hikes into the Flat Tops Wilderness. It is located outside of Yampa, CO at the dead end of Forest Service Road 900. and passes Little Causeway Lake at 1.0 mile. The trail then quickly climbs and reaches the top of the Bear River/Williams Fork Divide at 2.3 miles. Here is where a primitive trail splits off and ascends to the Devil's Causeway .

The following hikes can accessed from this Trailhead:

East Fork Trail #1119

This trail takes you along the north side of Stillwater Reservoir. At mile 0.8 is the split-off to the Bear River Trail #1120 to the left, or stay to the right to stay on this trail. From here, the trail turns north and reaches the Flat Tops Wilderness boundary at mile 1.0. The trail is mostly forested to Little Causeway Lake at mile 1.6. The trail climbs among talus slopes to the Near River/Williams Fork watersheds divide at mile 2.3, where breatking views await you. The trail becomes steep while elevation change is over 1500' making this hike moderate to difficult through a series of switchbacks to the Devil's Causeway. Continuing on, the trail reaches Causeway Lake at mile 5.7. At mile 7.0, find Round Lake and Lost Lakes trail #1116 Junction. From there the trail descends, then crosses and follows the East Fork of the Williams Fork River, intersecting with trail Black Mountain Trail #1117 at mile 8.9.

Further on you will re-cross the river and climb to rejoin with Lost Lakes trail #1116 at mile 11.6 at heading down valley to Transfer Trail #1172 at mile 13.0.

The trail ends at the Pyramid Guard Station at 15.7 miles which pops you out on to the scenic byway, a scenic drive that runs from Yampa to Meeker.

To do the loop ; take Lost Lakes trail #1116 to the west, when it intersects with trail West Lost Lakes trail #1103, continue on to the Chinese Wall trail #1803 south back to Bear River trail #1120 which will take you back to the Stillwater trailhead.

Bear River Trail #1120 – This 3.3 mile trail begins at the registration/information board off the East Fork Trail. The trail follows the Bear River up into the Flat Tops Wilderness and reaches Mosquito Lake at 1.5 miles. The trail then climbs before reaching 11,400 feet and ends at the junction with the Little Trappers Lake Trail No. 1814 and the Chinese Wall Trail No. 1803 .

North Derby Trail (Hooper & Keener Lake) #1122 – This 2.2 mile trail crosses the Stillwater Dam and enters the Flat Tops Wilderness. After passing some ponds, the trail begins to quickly ascend towards the ridge. At 11,200 feet the trail ends at the junction with the Edge Lake Trail No. 1879 and the Hooper Lake Trail No. 1860. The Hooper Lake Trail gives access to Hooper and Keener Lakes.

There is no camping allowed within ¼ mile of Hooper and Keener Lakes.

No camping or campfires within 100ft of all streams, lakes, and trails.

The alpine vegetation in the Flat Tops is very fragile, PLEASE do not take short cuts and stay on the trail as this causes more resource damage.