Wolf Cr Trail

Difficulty:  Strenuous       Trail Use:   Light (heavy during hunting season Sept-Nov)

Length:  Wolf Cr. T.H. to lower jnct with Dry Fork Wolf Cr. Trail – 1.1 miles, Wolf Cr. T.H. to Red Pass – 6.1 miles

Elevation:  5780ft at the Wolf Cr.Trailhead, 6100ft at jnct with Dry Fork of Wolf Cr. Trail, 7470ft at jnct with Red Pass Trail, 8700ft at Red Pass

Open to:  Hikers, Equestrian, Mountain Bikes

Trail Highlights:

• This a rocky trail that closely follows Wolf Cr. and offers open views of the surrounding canyon.  The trail alternates between stands of Douglas fir and large Cottonwoods and open areas with shrubs, cliffs and talus. 
• The first creek crossing is one mile up and can be treacherous in early spring.  Flooding the past few years have wiped out most of the crossable logs so be prepared with river shoes for the multiple crossings along the trail. 
• At mile 1.1 the Dry Fork of Wolf Cr. Trail takes off to the left and immediately crosses the creek.  This trail offers a long loop opportunity with Wolf Cr. Trail and is fairly open with large views of surrounding cliffs.  During the early summer, this trail is lined with tall stinging nettles so pants and long sleeve shirts are recommended.
•  The trail crosses the creek again at mile 1.8 and stays on the left side along Wolf Cr. until crossing again at mile 4.2, and again around mile 5, and again just after that.  None of these crossings have bridges.
•  The trail then goes through a recent mudslide that poured through dense Douglas fir forest.  Look for cut logs to help find your way through.  The trail reaches a junction with the Red Pass Trail just after that, which takes off to the right, while Wolf Cr. Trail continues to the left. 

Options:

•  Loop to Dry Fork Wolf Cr. Trail #4061.  Two options are available for this loop.  Either take the first junction at mile 1.1 and head up the Dry Fork Trail and come down the Wolf Cr. Trail, or go up Wolf Cr. Trail and take a left at the junction with the Red Pass Trail and come out on the Dry Fork Trail.  Either way it is a steep climb making the connection between the two.
•  Connect to Dog Cr. Trail # 4069.  From the Red Pass junction take a left and walk along the ridge till it drops you down into the Dog Cr. drainage.  Take a right at the next junction to head down the Dog Cr. Trail.  This option would require a shuttle from the Dog Cr. T.H. which is approximately 10 miles north of the Wolf Cr. T.H.

Important Information:

• Wolf Cr. Trail is located within the Palisades Wilderness Study Area and is not open to motorized vehicles.
• This trail is located on USGS quad maps for Ferry Peak, Pine Creek, Observation Peak, and Munger Mountain, 7.5 minute.
• Always check the posted information at the kiosk for maps, updated material on forest regulations and closures.
• Crossing Wolf Cr. can be extremely dangerous and is not recommended in early spring.   River shoes and a walking stick for crossings is recommended.
• This trail can be difficult to follow once in the headwaters area.  Be sure to have good topographic maps and a compass and know your route well before going.

At a Glance