Ditch Trail
Trailhead Basalt Mountain #1911 Drive there
Capitol Ditch Trailhead #1963 the Forest Service's write-up
ALERT: Bear canisters are required for all backpackers in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.
The Capitol Ditch Trail trail begins moderately along the ditch for one mile. It continues through aspen and fir stands for another mile and then opens up. The trail descends down to the Capitol Creek. You will cross here and meet up with the Capitol Creek Trail. There are good spots for camping at this point. At the 6 mile point the trail switchbacks to a double log crossing. In another 1/2 mile, the trail crosses the stream again. In the fir stands on the right, 1/3 mile from this crossing, are the last campfire sites. Stove sites can be found on the knolls to the right about 50 yards before the Mt. Daly Trail. Camping is not allowed in the meadows or within 200 feet of Capitol Lake. Continue on the trail to Capitol Lake. To reach the pass and Avalanche Creek Trail, follow the trail along the west side of the lake.
Restrictions <h4>The following regulations apply to the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness and are in place to protect this special area:</h4><ul><li><strong>Overnight permit required </strong>for overnight stays within the <a href="http://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fs.usda.gov%2FInternet%2FFSE_DOCUMENTS%2Ffseprd1083862.pdf&data=05%7C01%7C%7C7d1c148b617d420ee8cb08daf91dc92c%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638096203576998810%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=kwU8ie72JuD4SazHVfhqzSL%2BLxv%2BIq72MQzrDaEEk%2Fs%3D&reserved=0">Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zones</a>.</li><li><strong>Food, refuse and any scented items must be stored in an </strong><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1029220.pdf">IGBC approved bear resistant container</a><strong>. </strong>Human food habituated bears are a threat to human safety. Visitors without approved bear resistant containers will be ticketed and required to leave. </li><li><strong>You must have a plan for human waste. Human waste bags (WAG) bags are highly recommended</strong> and are available free of charge at the Conundrum Creek and Snowmass Lake trailheads. WAG bags must be packed out. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpiX07wPKgE&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Learn more</a> about how to use a WAG bag. If a WAG bag is not used, visitors are required to deposit solid human waste in holes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet (70 paces) from water, camp and trails.</li><li><strong>Group size is limited to 10 with no more than 15 stock animals in one group</strong>. Large groups multiply impacts to the wilderness and disrupt the solitude of others.</li><li><strong>Dogs are prohibited</strong> in the Conundrum Creek Valley from Silver Dollar Pond to Triangle Pass, including the hot springs. Everywhere else,<strong> dogs must be leashed.</strong></li><li><strong>Campfires are prohibited at all designated sites at Conundrum Hot Springs, within ¼ mile of Crater Lake and above 10,800 feet. </strong>Campfires consume wood, accumulate trash, kill fragile alpine vegetation, sterilize the soil and scar the land.</li><li><strong>Campers must camp in designated sites at Conundrum Hot Springs, Copper Lake, Crater Lake, Geneva Lake, and Capitol Lake.</strong> Everywhere else campers should set up more than 100 feet from lakes, streams and trails and use previously impacted campsites. Help provide a feeling of solitude, camp out of sight of others and fragile areas.</li><li><strong>As with all designated Wilderness, motorized and mechanized equipment is prohibited including bicycles, motorbikes, chainsaws, ATVs, carts, drones, hang gliders and paragliders. </strong>This equipment is prohibited to provide visitors with a primitive recreational experience and to preserve outstanding opportunities for solitude.</li></ul>
Main Elk #2157 the Forest Service's write-up
No fee
The Main Elk trail is 2.5 miles long and connects the Clinetop Trailhead to the Mansfield Ditch Trail (#2291) . From the Clinetop side, the first 0.5 miles of trail are relatively flat. This initial section crosses through private land, so please stay in the designated trail corridor. The trail then begins steadily climbing up a ridge, offering visitors outstanding views of Hadley Gulch, the Main Elk Creek valley, and Deep Creek Point. The trail continues to follow the top of the ridge, gradually gaining elevation and winding its way through thick oak brush. At 2.5 miles, visitors will reach the Mansfield Ditch Trail. From here, a left turn will take visitors south to the Forest Boundary, and a right turn leads north toward the Cherry Creek Connector and Clark’s Point.
Main Elk Trail is open to foot, horse, and bicycle use.
Restrictions <strong>Pack it in; Pack it out</strong>
Mansfield Ditch #2291 the Forest Service's write-up
No fee
The Mansfield Ditch trail is 9.5 miles long and is accessible from Forest Road 820 (elevation 8,800 feet) and Forest Road 245 (elevation 6,700 feet). The trail is characterized by gentle grades, smooth and wide tread, and expansive views of the surrounding landscape. Beginning at Forest Road 820, the trail makes a short initial descent to an intersection with the Last Chance Trail . From there, the Mansfield Ditch trail turns south and follows the contour of the ridge for the next 4.5 miles. Along the way, the trail winds through stands of evergreen trees and offers outstanding views of Deep Creek Canyon.
At 4.9 miles from the top, visitors will arrive at an intersection with a 0.5 mile connector trail to Cherry Creek . From this intersection, the Mansfield Ditch trail makes a steep descent into Calhoun Basin before leveling off for another 3 miles. This section of the trail passes through pinyon-juniper and scrub oak vegetation, with additional outstanding views of Deep Creek Point, Hadley Gulch, and the Clinetop Mesa. At 8 miles from the top, the trail reaches a bench and an intersection with the Main Elk Trail . The trail gradually descends to Forest Road 245 over the final 1.5 miles.
The Mansfield Ditch trail’s gentle grades and good views make it an excellent destination for mountain bikers, horseback riders, and hikers alike!
View the Recreation Opportunity Guide for the Mansfield Ditch Trail (.pdf file).