Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire: Trail Conditions Report
The 2022 Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire crossed into the Carson National Forest and burned approximately 16,000 acres, including a handful of trails on the Camino Real Ranger District.
Other nearby trails were impacted by suppression activities, such as building contingency lines.
With erosion impacts and hazard tree dangers expected to continue for years, trail rehabilitation will be a long-term process.
- 2022: Carson National Forest trails crew members began to evaluate trail damage, make restoration plans and coordinate partnership agreements.
- 2023: Youth crews from the Southwestern Conservation Corp accomplished several weeks of work.
- 2024: The Rocky Mountain Youth Corp continued the work in 2024.
- 2025 (Planned): Youth crews from the Rocky Mountain Youth Corp are scheduled to return and conduct three eight-day hitches to address trail maintenance and access within the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire area.
Safety
Trails remain open to facilitate public access, but their use is at visitors' own risk. Falling trees are an ever-present hazard in forests, especially in recently burned areas. Read our hazard tree safety tips.
Damage Summary
The fire reached four trails, burning the forest around them at high severity and leaving behind downed debris and standing dead trees.
Trail Assessments and Descriptions
| Trail | Assessment | Conditions* and Work Accomplished |
|---|---|---|
| Serpent Lake Trail (#19) | Portions of the trail were burned at high severity. | Crews in 2023 and 2024 cleared fallen trees and branches from the Trailhead to the Santa Barbara Divide. Drainage issues were addressed, repairs to tread and encroaching aspen suckers were brushed backed. |
| Agua Piedra Trail (#19A) | The trail was partially within the burn area with areas outside the burn area overlapped by dozer line. Forest staff and partners will need to narrow down and restore the trail tread back to 50”. | Crews in 2023 and 2024 cleared fallen trees and branches from the whole trail. Tread and encrocaching vegetation were brushed. |
| Angostura Trail (#493) | Much of this trail was within the burn areas. | No thorough assessment or repair work has been accomplished to date. |
| Rito Angostura Trail (#9A) | This trail was untouched by the fire. | A crew in 2024 cleared deadfalls and repairs tread for the full length of the trail. |
Changes on Trails Outside the Fire Burn Area
Visitors may see some changes on trails outside the fire burn area, but were used as contingency lines
| Trail | Assessment | Conditions* and Work Accomplished |
|---|---|---|
| Comales Cutoff Trail (#22A) | The trail was overlapped by a dozer line. | Crews in 2023 cleared, repaired tread and brushed vegetation for the first four miles from the intersection with the Agua Piedra Trail (#19A). |
| Bear Mountain Trail (#28) | The trail was overlapped by a dozer line. | Crews in 2024 cleared deadfall and replaced signage. |
*Conditions, most notably fallen trees and branches, may change due to winter and spring weather.