Sourdough
Trailheads Brainard Lake Gateway Trailhead Drive there · Red Rock Trailhead Drive there · Sourdough Trailhead Drive there
Beaver Sourdough Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up
Limited parking is available on the east side of private Beaver Reservoir, along County Road 96, for access to the Sourdough Trail .
View a trail map here.
Beaver Reservoir Cutoff Trail (#851)
Length: Beaver Reservoir Trailhead (TH) to Sourdough Trail interesction - 3/4 mile. DISTANCE IS ONE-WAY.
Elevation: 8,885 feet at Beaver Reservoir TH; 9,194 feet at Sourdough Trail intersection.
Trail Description: The Beaver Reservoir Cutoff Trail is an extension of the Sourdough Trail that cuts across from the east end of Coney Creek Road (National Forest System Road 507) to intersect the Sourdough Trail just above the switchbacks south of Camp Dick.
View a trail map here.
Motorized vehicles prohibited.
Practice Leave No Trace principles.
Ward, Colorado
Latlong 40.125124; -105.515
Directions - From Ward, head north on Colorado Highway 72 for approximately three miles. Turn west on County Road 96, signed for Tahosa Boy Scout Camp, continuing 2.5 miles to the east side of Beaver Reservoir. Follow NFSR 507 west from the north side of Beaver Reservoir and turn east onto Beaver Reservoir Cutoff Trail shortly thereafter.
Restrictions Practice <a href="http://lnt.org/why/7-principles/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhsvkoYej7AIVjYTICh2FQgqwEAAYASABEgK3nvD_BwE">Leave No Trace principles.</a>
Accessibility <p>Two-wheel-drive access for year-round recreation.</p>
Brainard Lake Gateway Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up
There is a $10 day use fee during winter months. Visitors should use the self-service fee station on the north side of the parking area to process payment using scan & pay or cash or check. <a href="https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes">America the Beautiful Interagency Passes</a> are honored in lieu of paying the fee. The <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app">Recreation.gov mobile app</a> must be downloaded prior to using Scan & Pay system. To ensure effective use of this system download the app prior to your arrival. The on-site Wi-Fi system may experience temporary outages and cell phone reception is poor. Passes are non-transferrable between operators, non-refundable, not replaceable if lost or stolen, and are void if altered or reproduced. · reservation required
The Brainard Lake Gateway Trailhead is located 2 miles west of the Town of Ward, Colorado and just east of the entrance into Brainard Lake Recreation Area . The site is an access portal that allows for year-round access to Brainard Lake Recreation Area and Indian Peaks Wilderness trail systems. The trailhead features a large parking area, warming hut, restrooms, self-service fee station and Wi-Fi service. Frequent maintenance ensures these features are available year-round. Check the current weather forecast before visiting.
Mid-June through mid-October (summer season)
Summer Season Map
Motor vehicle access is available 24 hours a day. Parking Map .
Day use of the site is free
Camping in the parking area is prohibited
Check summer trail conditions before your visit
See "Restrictions" below for additional regulations
Mid-October through mid-June (winter season)
Winter Season Map
Facilities and parking lot are plowed to facilitate access 24 hours a day
A $10 day use fee applies. A self-service fee station is located onsite
America the Beautiful Interagency Passes are honored in lieu of paying fee
Camping in the parking area is prohibited
Between November 15 and April 30, dogs are only allowed on the Brainard Lake and Lefthand Park Reservoir Roads
Check winter trail conditions before your visit
See "Restrictions" below for additional regulations
Recreational shooting closures exist year-round in this area. Hunting is allowed in accordance with regulations set by the Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Moose are present in the area. Be considerate of all wildlife. Approaching closely can be threatening to the wildlife and their reactions are dangerously unpredictable.
Restrictions <ul><li>Pack animals (horses/llamas); recreational shooting (except legal hunting) and being on trails posted as closed is prohibited.</li><li>Practice <a href="http://lnt.org/why/7-principles/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhsvkoYej7AIVjYTICh2FQgqwEAAYASABEgK3nvD_BwE">Leave No Trace principles.</a> </li><li>Fishing and hunting are permitted in accordance with regulations established by Colorado Parks & Wildlife.</li><li>Parking off pavement or in a manner that blocks traffic is prohibited. Overnight parking at the trailhead is permitted, but camping is not allowed.</li><li>When using Scan & Pay, your vehicle license number will be recorded in our system for that day. All other vehicles <u>must</u> properly display a day use registration receipt or interagency pass during winter operating season.</li><li>Be sure to take note of other winter regulations and important information when visiting Brainard Lake Gateway Trailhead.</li></ul>
Red Rock Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up
<a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=28182&actid=50">Brainard Lake Recreation Area</a> fees apply during the summer operating season (typically late June through mid-October).
Red Rock Trailhead is one of four trailheads for the Sourdough Trail and serves as the winter trailhead for Brainard Lake Recreation Area .
View an area map here.
Restrictions <ul><li><strong>Prohibited:</strong> Pack animals (horses/llamas); recreational shooting (except for legal hunting) and being on trails posted as closed.</li><li><strong>Brainard Lake Recreation Area Summer Season</strong> (May 1 - Nov 14): Dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times; dispersed camping is prohibited. When open, camping is only allowed within Pawnee Campground (no camping is permitted in closed campgrounds).</li><li><strong>Brainard Lake Recreation Area Winter Season</strong> (Nov 15 - Apr 30): Motorized vehicles are prohibited; dogs allowed only on the Brainard Lake and Lefthand Park Reservoir Roads; camping is prohibited within 1/4 mile of developed recreation sites except Red Rock Lake.</li><li>Practice <a href="http://lnt.org/why/7-principles/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhsvkoYej7AIVjYTICh2FQgqwEAAYASABEgK3nvD_BwE">Leave No Trace principles.</a></li></ul><strong>Fishing and Hunting:</strong> Permitted in accordance with regulations established by Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Sourdough Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up
The Sourdough Trailhead is the main trailhead for the Sourdough Trail #835 and is the trails southernmost access point.
View an area map here.
Restrictions <ul><li><strong>Dispersed camping is prohibited</strong> within ¼ mile of either side of Rainbow Lakes Road. See <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd910647.pdf">Order</a></li><li>Motorized vehicles are prohibited.</li><li>Practice <a href="http://lnt.org/why/7-principles/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhsvkoYej7AIVjYTICh2FQgqwEAAYASABEgK3nvD_BwE">Leave No Trace principles.</a></li></ul>