Pagoda #1804

The Pagoda Lake Trail trail is 7.3 miles long. It begins at Rio Blanco County Road 8 and ends at Forest Road 230. The trail heads northwest out of the parking area. It mainly follows open parks, with a few short stretches of spruce-fir-dead spruce forest. 3.5 miles from the trailhead, a short spur goes 1/4 mile south to Pagoda Lake. Pagoda Peak (11,120'), named for its unusual pagoda shape, rises to the north. The elevation drops gradually from the trailhead to the Snell Creek Trail junction, one mile beyond Pagoda Lake. The Pagoda Trail continues west around the shoulder of Sand Peak to its terminus at FR#230 (Deadhorse Loop).

General Information

Summer travel: June 21-August 31, Winter travel (over snow only): November 23-May 20

OHVs and snowmobiles must have a permit. Permits are issued by Colorado State Parks , and are generally not available at Forest Service offices.

Open to vehicles up to and including 50" in width.

Getting There

Elevation

10632

Directions

From Meeker, take Colorado Highway 13 east for 1 mile, then turn right (east) on Rio Blanco County Road 8 and follow this for 44 miles. The Pagoda Trailhead parking lot is on the west side of the road, .4 miles from the summit of Ripple Creek Pass. The trail begins at the west end of the parking area.