Sheep Lake Cutoff #855

The Sheep Lake Cutoff Trail #855 begins at an intersection with the Sheep Lake Trail #848 near Sheep Lake, and ends at an intersection with the Soap Creek Trail #443, all within the West Elk Wilderness. The trail is a shortcut connecting Sheep Lake to the trails leading to Soap Basin on the Gunnison Ranger District. It travels through spruce/fir and open meadows as it descends from the lake into the Soap Creek drainage, ending at the Soap Creek Trail.

General Information

June

Open to hiking and horseback riding.

Getting There

Elevation

10,480 ft.

Directions

Cliff Creek Trailhead:

From Paonia: Travel east on Hwy 133 for approximately 15 miles to County Road 12, Kebler Pass Rd. Follow CR12 east for approximately 19 miles to Horse Ranch Park. The Cliff Creek Trailhead is on the right just before and across from Horse Ranch Park. Follow the Cliff Creek Trail #840 for approximately 9 miles to the intersection with the Sheep Lake Trail #848. Follow the Sheep Lake Trail for approximately 1.5 miles to the Sheep Lake Cutoff Trial.

From Crested Butte: Travel west on County Road 12, Kebler Pass Road, for approximately 11 miles. The Cliff Creek Trailhead is on the left just over the Ruby Anthracite Creek Bridge. Horse Ranch Park is on the right. Follow the Cliff Creek Trail #840 for approximately 9 miles to the intersection with the Sheep Lake Trail #848. Follow the Sheep Lake Trail for approximately 1.5 miles to the Sheep Lake Cutoff Trial.