Recreation Region: Pagosa Ranger District

Middle Fork Trail

Middle Fork Trail (589) starts at Middle Fork Road, FR 636, crosses into the South San Juan Wilderness Area, and climbs to the Continental Divide Trail (813). This trail crosses the Middle Fork of the Piedra River at the very beginning which can be difficult during high water. After crossing the river the trail heads northeast through level meadows for about 3/4 miles before turning east and beginning to climb steeply. The trail travels past Window Lake around mile 7 and past Monument Lake around mile 8.8. The trail then climbs up and over Palomino Mountain and ends at the Continental Divide Trail. The trail is climbs close to 5,000 feet in elevation and offers little camping along the way but has great color in the fall when the aspen trees are changing colors.

Distance (one-way): 11 miles
Minimum elevation: 8,400 feet
Maximum elevation: 12,170 feet

Specific Trail Information

Trail Number

589

General Information

No camping within 100 yards of the trailhead.

This trail travels into the South San Juan Wilderness Area at about mile 1.3. Please review the 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.
Do not fly drones over congressionally designated wilderness areas or primitive areas as many people seek these places for the opportunities for solitude and quiet that they provide.
Practice Leave-No-Trace ethics.

Address: 180 Pagosa Street Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Phone: (719) 851-7377
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8am - 12pm; 1pm - 4:30pm (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: SM.FS.PagosaRD@usda.gov

Getting There

Trailhead/Starting Points

Middle Fork Trailhead

Restroom are available.
No camping within 100 yards of the trailhead.

Parking

Large parking lot at Middle Fork Trailhead.

Directions

From Pagosa Springs, travel west on U.S. Highway 160 to Piedra Road (FR 631). Turn north and travel approximately 17.8 miles on Piedra Road, then right on Middle Fork Road (FR 636). Follow Middle Fork Road to its end at the primitive Middle Fork Hunter Camp and Trailhead.

Ample dispersed camping sites may be found along (NFSR 636).