Blanco River Trail
Blanco River Trail (573) begins at Blanco Basin Road (CR326 ) and climbs about eight miles to meet Little Blanco Trail (572). For approximately the first mile, the trail is located on private property. There are numerous signs to keep you on the trail and off the private property.
For the first 3 miles, the trail ascends very gently through the forest along an old road bed. Follow this to a gate in 0.67 miles. Go through the gate and continue on the trail. Ensure you close the gate behind you. Do not take the trail that takes off to the right before the gate. In 1.5 miles, there is a side trail to the right that leads down to the creek. In 1.7 miles, cross through the South San Juan Wilderness boundary. Around 3 miles in, there are a couple of nice overlooks just off the trail to the right. You will pass a couple of rock debris fields from spring water melt. After ~4.7 miles, you will reach a nice lunch spot just before crossing Hondo Creek. There are nice views of the backside of Blackhead Peak and Quartz Ridge. After crossing Hondo Creek, the trail starts gaining elevation quickly through many switchbacks. The views keep getting better the farther you go. Tight rocky and eroding tread leads out of a drainage edge before reaching a small meadow where the trail disappears. Experienced hikers can make their way staying east of the two-peaked ridgeline to the gap where the Little Blanco Trail No. 572 passes through.
- Distance (one-way): ~8.2 miles
- Minimum / Starting elevation: ~8,200 feet
- Maximum / ending elevation: ~11,820 feet
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
General Information
This trail crosses into the South San Juan Wilderness Area. Therefore it is open to hiking and horseback riding only; no mountain biking or motorized vehicles are permitted. Please review Wilderness Regulations for full list of regulations and restrictions. Regulations include:
- Group size is limited to 15 people.
- Combination of people and stock = 25.
- Dogs under control.
- No unattended campfires.
- Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of any water source.
- Outfitter-guides who receive any form of compensation must obtain a special-use permit to operate on public land.
- Possession of motorized equipment and mechanized means of transport are not permitted.
- Please check trailhead signs or Forest Service Offices for site-specific camping, campfire, and livestock regulations.
- Flying drones over congressionally designated wilderness areas is prohibited.
- Practice Leave-No-Trace ethics.
Address: 180 Pagosa Street Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Phone: (970) 264-2268
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8am - 12pm; 1pm - 4:30pm (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: SM.FS.PagosaRD@usda.gov
Getting There
Parking
There is very limited parking on the left before the trailhead sign. Do not drive past the gate and trailhead sign. Be considerate of the private property boundaries.
Directions
From Pagosa Springs, head east on Highway 160. Turn right / south on Highway 84. Continue for eight miles. Turn left on Blanco Basin Road (CR 326 / FR 657). After 12 miles, you will make a sharp right hand turn and cross a bridge, immediately after the bridge, turn left onto a dirt driveway with an address post marker 12130. Follow this road for about a half mile. There is a fork in the road, stay right. Very limited parking on the left before the trailhead sign. Do not drive past the gate and trailhead sign. Be considerate of the private property boundaries.
