South Fork

The Doe Creek / Stock Driveway ascends the Flat Tops from The Meadows located at the east end of South Fork Trail #1827 . It begins at a three-way junction with South Fork #1827 and Nichols Creek #1830 trails and terminates atop the Flat Tops at the Oyster Lake Trail #1825 .

The Lost Solar Trail climbs quickly out of the South Fork Canyon, up the Lost Solar drainage. After fording Lost Solar Creek, the trail follows the narrow valley for several miles, crossing several small streams before rising out of the creek bottom on a side hill. Seven miles from the South Fork Trail, the trail enters Lost Solar meadows-a large, grassy park. After following the meadow for 1 mile, it reaches Oyster Lake Trail #1825 .

The Nichols Creek Trail begins at South Fork Trail #1827 and ends at Lost Solar Trail #1828 . The trail rises steeply out of South Fork Meadows, then the terrain levels off as the trail continues .25 miles to the Park Creek junction. From here, it gains elevation gradually for another mile as the trail passes through open parks bordered by stands of Englemann Spruce. The last mile of the trail travels through beetle-killed spruce until it reaches the Lost Solar Trail #1828 below Lost Solar Park.

The Park Creek Trail begins at South Fork Trail #1827 and ends at Nichols Creek Trail #1830 . From the South Fork, the trail climbs quickly for .5 miles and emerges into the open meadows along Park Creek. It passes through a large, grassy park for 2 miles, then enters a series of smaller parks broken by short stretches of aspen. As the trail gains elevation, the aspen stands give way to Englemann spruce and alpine fir. The Park Creek Trail meets the Nichols Creek trail 6.4 miles from the South Fork Trail and 11.5 miles from the South Fork Campground .

The South Fork Trail follows the South Fork of the White River for 16 miles. Nearly all of the South Fork Trail is in the Flat Tops Wilderness . The trail travels through many species of trees and shrubs, interspersed with grassy meadows. Three miles from the South Fork Campground, the trail crosses a section of private land. Two miles further it crosses a second section of private land near Lost Solar Creek. Please respect private property and remain on the trail.

Seven miles from the campground, the trail crosses Park Creek, and three miles above Park Creek it passes the South Fork Falls. Three miles above the falls, the canyon begins to widen near Budges' Resort (also accessible by the Coffee Pot Road from Dotsero). The trail then heads north, following the river through a wide, grassy area called "The Meadows," and terminating near Nichols Creek and Doe Creek.

The South Fork Campground provides good access to fishing on the South Fork of the White River, and hiking & horseback riding in the Flat Tops Wilderness .

This site provides access to South Fork Trail #1827 and Spring Cave Trail #1834 .

Overflow camping is available (regular fees apply).

View Dates and Fees

This trail is an access to the national forest that is seldom used. It is a very wet area going through spruce/fir trees and follows the Fryingpan River. Due to vegetation there are no views of the surrounding areas.

This well marked trail follows the South Fork of the Fryingpan River. The trail is fairly easy hiking and stays in trees for the majority of the trip. After 3.5 miles you will come to Deadman Lake. The trail from here gets a little harder to follow. To get to South Fork Pass stay on the trail and climb approximately 600 feet in your last mile of travel. From the end of the trail it is possible to continue over to Independence Pass and Hwy 82.