Courthouse #218
The Courthouse Trail #218 begins at Cow Creek Road, FSR 857 and ends at West Fork Road, FSR 860. This trail climbs steadily following Courthouse Creek and the Uncompahgre Wilderness boundary. While in the wilderness, Wilderness Regulations apply. At approximately 2.1 miles it intersects the Stealey Mountain Trail #219 and continues uphill. The trail is usually well defined until it enters two meadows where some searching will be required. In the first meadow the trail crosses a deep ravine and a fork of Red Creek. The second meadow has three posts; at the third post the trail turns to the right. In approximately another 0.4 miles the trail intersects the Courthouse Mountain Trail #144 and the Wilderness boundary. West Fork Road and the end of the trail is approximately 0.8 miles ahead. This last stretch of the trail is not in the Wilderness.
General Information
Getting There
Elevation
11,021 Feet
Directions
Eastern Access
From Ridgeway:
Follow U.S. Hwy 550 north to the intersection with Owl Creek Pass Road, Ouray County Road 10, approximately 1.7 miles north of the traffic light in Ridgeway. Continue for approximately 15 miles over Owl Creek Pass. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 860 and continue for approximately 1.6 miles. The trail is located on the right with parking available on the left.
From Montrose:
Follow U.S. Hwy 50 for approximately 21.6 miles to the intersection with Forest Service Road 858. Turn south on FSR 858 and continue for approximately 19.5 miles to the intersection with Forest Service Road 860. Follow FSR 860 south for approximately 1.6 miles. The trail is located on the right with parking on the left.
Western Access
From Ridgeway:
Follow U.S. Hwy 550 south for approximately 0.04 miles to the intersection with County Road 12. Turn left onto CR 12 and continue for approximately 4 miles to the intersection with County Road 10 and Forest Service Road 857, Cow Creek Road. Follow FSR 857 for approximately 4.5 miles to the beginning of the Courthouse Trail.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restroom information is not available for this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
