Sheriff Reservoir Trailhead

This Trailhead serves as a major access portal into the Flat Tops Wilderness and provides parking for those wishing to access the reservoir.

Camping and restrooms can be found nearby at the Sheriffs Reservoir Campground.

Three separate trails are served by this Trailhead:

Black Mountain Creek Trail No. 1117 

This 5.9 mile trail gives access to the Flat Tops Wilderness and connects to the Baldy Trail No. 1200 and the East Fork Trail No. 1119.  After passing through large open meadows above Sheriffs Reservoir, the trail becomes very steep and crosses a shale outcrop at mile 1.4 in an area known as Windy Gap. At 3.3 miles is the junction with the Baldy Trail No. 1200. Continuing, the trail quickly descends into the East Fork Williams Fork drainage and ends and the junction with the East Fork Trail No. 1119.
 

Bunker Basin Trail No. 1109 

This 3.0 mile trail passes through large open meadows and stands of Aspen before reaching Haley Reservoir. From the trailhead, you will follow a series of marker posts in a northwesterly direction across a large meadow. At mile 0.5, it reaches a saddle which divides the Trout Creek and Bunker Creek drainages. This area, known as Bunker Basin, is very colorful during the fall season. The trail descends to emerge on the southwest shore of Haley Reservoir. This 6-acre water impoundment was constructed in 1920 for irrigation purposes. The road system to the west provides access for repairs only.
 

Sand Creek Trail No. 1123 

This 10.4 mile trail begins adjacent to Sheriff Reservoir on the east end of the dam. Access may be gained by using the spillway bridge. Heading southeast, the trail crosses Sand Creek and arrives at a series of lakes, passing Sand Lake at mile 1.5. Take care in crossing as the water can run high. The trail then crosses Sand Creek again and continues to climb towards the Little Flat Tops. After 5.2 miles on the Sand Creek Trail, there is an option to access the Sawtooth Trail No. 1165 which splits off to the West. This 2.4 mile trail quickly crosses into the Flat Tops Wilderness and gives access to Orno Peak and the headwaters of Trout Creek. The Sawtooth Trail ends at a posted sign. The Sand Creek Trail turns due east until descending southward into the Coal Creek drainage along an old jeep road. At 7.7 miles, the trail crosses Coal Creek and continues along the road to the Coal Creek/Sawtooth Trailhead.