Farmers Creek Trail # 801

The Farmers Creek Trail (#801) is 7.7 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 500 and ends at Wason Trail (#789) in Wason Park.  This trail provides access, via the Wason Trail, to the Wheeler Geological Area (see the Wason Trail description for further information).

There is ample opportunity for camping along the lower section of the trail, though access to water sources (creeks/streams where water should be filtered before drinking) is rare.  Opportunities for fishing are poor.  Late fall hunting for big game exists. 

The trail begins by paralleling the private fence along the Wason Ranch property for about 0.5 mile. The trail then makes a short winding, steep climb northward away from the Rio Grande River.  The trail continues for approximately 1 mile through rolling, open grassy hills before dropping quickly into the main Farmers Creek Drainage.

After dropping into the creek bottom, the trail will cross the creek and begin a short climb out of the main Farmers Creek Drainage.  The trail will continue to climb up an aspen-covered drainage for about 2 miles and gains 2,000 feet of elevation.  At nearly 11,200 feet the trail enters Wason Park, a grassy, open and area with rolling hills, views of La Garita Peak and opportunities for wildlife viewing.

The trail enters the La Garita Wilderness approximately 5 miles from the trailhead, at this point mountain bikes must turn back as bikes are not permitted in wilderness.

The trail will level out, pass through a small stand of spruce\fir timber, cross a tributary of West Bellows Creek, pass through several more patches of timber and meet Wason Trail #789 at the edge of Wason Park.

The lower section (non-wilderness) of trail is open for the following uses: Mtn biking, Foot and Horse Travel. The upper 1/3 of the trail enters into the La Garita Wilderness and is open for foot and horse travel. 

While this trail is routinely maintained, due to beetle-kill, there may be downed trees across the trail at any time.  Please use caution if camping in or traveling through this area as dead or damaged trees present serious hazards.

At a Glance