Chicken Creek, Upper (615)

Chicken Creek Trailhead (615) may be referred to as Upper Chicken and is a multi-use trail. It immediately drops into the Chicken Creek drainage and joins with the Morrison Trail (610) coming in from the north. The upper part of the Chicken Creek Trail (615) is motorized, down to the junction with the Rim Trail (613) approx. 1.5 miles from the trailhead. From that point on it becomes non-motorized all the way to the lower end, which ends at Mancos State Park. Motorized travelers can continue the ride via the Rim Trail (613) and then take the Doc Lowell Trail (188) all the way back to the Transfer Campground. This trail does continue into Mancos State Park, but there is a fee for use.

Other trails that can be accessed from this trail or trailhead:

Morrison Trail (610) – accessing the Morrison Trail (610) from this trailhead provides access to the motorized section of Morrison Trail (610). The motorized access ends after 8.25 miles on this 11-mile multi-use trail. Accessing the Morrison Trail (610) from the Bear Creek Trailhead (607) up to BC Rim Trail (227) is a 2.75 miles non-motorized section of the trail.
Aspen Loop Trail (631) – (see separate trail sheet for details). The Loop itself is 39 miles, mostly on trails for vehicles 50” or less, but it connects to a variety of FS roads that are open to side by sides. There are also a handful of technical singletrack motorcycle trails that connect to the area.
Rim Trail (613) – 3.1 mi trail that can be accessed via the Chicken Creek Trailhead (615), West Mancos Overlook, or the Box Canyon Trailhead (617) at the Transfer Recreational Area. The section from the overlook to Box Canyon Trail (617) is non-motorized.

Please note, Chicken Creek Trail (615) and it’s off-shoots vary in use type. It will be imperative to check the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for specific motorized information vs non-motorized information.

Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 6.7 – one way
Beginning Elevation: 8,900’
Ending Elevation: 7,900’ at Mancos State Park

At a Glance

Usage:	Medium-Heavy
Restrictions:	After joining with the Rim Trail (613), the trail becomes non-motorized
Closest Towns:	Mancos, CO
Water:	At Transfer Campground
Restroom:	At Transfer Campground
Information Center:	Dolores Ranger District

General Information

Directions:

From the Dolores Public Lands Office turn left onto Hwy 184 heading toward Mancos. Continue 16.7 miles to CR 42/W. Mancos Rd. and turn left. Continue approx. 5 miles to the Forest Service Boundary. Follow (FS 561) for 4.5 miles. When approaching the Transfer Recreation Area, stay to the left. Parking is available 500ft N of the Transfer Campground on the left. Total drive time to trailhead is approx. 0.5 hr.

Parking:

5 parking spaces