Recreation Region: Eagle - Holy Cross Ranger District

Sweetwater TH #1854

The Sweetwater trail begins at the Hilltop Trailhead near Sweetwater Lake and ends at Coffee Pot Road #600. This fairly level, easy-to-follow trail follows the north rim of Sweetwater Canyon, beginning as a slight uphill grade through scrub oak and sagebrush and entering aspen interspersed with grassy meadows at about 2 miles, followed by aspen and fir forest. This trail offers beautiful views of the snow-capped peaks of the Sawatch Range, Sweetwater Lake and Canyon, and the high cliffs of the Flat Tops.

Getting There

Elevation

9796

Directions

Travel west on I-70 from Eagle for 13 miles to the Dotsero exit and follow the signs for Sweetwater/ Burns by turning north onto Colorado River Rd. Travel for 7 miles and turn left onto Sweetwater Creek Rd. and travel for another 11.5 miles until you reach the cabins for the Sweetwater Wilderness Ranch where parking is available. The trailhead is another 1/4 mile up a 4-wheel drive only road that leads to Hilltop Ranch, where there is also another small parking area. This is the Hilltop Trailhead several trails begin and then branch off.