Middle Fork #227 and East Fork #228 Loop

This remote loop through the Uncompahgre Wilderness offers an immersive tour of the Middle Fork and East Fork Cimarron River basins. To start the route, hikers can park near the intersection where the two forest roads split and head down the Middle Fork Cimarron Road. Following the road for 4.6 miles leads to the official Middle Fork Trailhead, offering open views of Turret Ridge, Dunsinane Mountain, and Precipice Peak along the way. From the Middle Fork Trailhead (#227), the trail follows the river closely for 0.4 miles before beginning a steady climb into heavily forested hillsides. At 1.9 miles, the route intersects the Porphyry Basin trail and drops to cross Porphyry Creek. Steep switchbacks then ascend a sloping plateau where the forest thins, revealing views of Dunsinane Mountain and Precipice Peak to the north. Continuing toward treeline, the trail passes several primitive campsites scattered along the river's steep gorge. At the head of the basin, a meadow at the forest edge provides clear views of Coxcomb and Redcliff Peaks. As the trail steepens and fades into the alpine tundra, posts and cairns mark the path leading east to Middle Fork Pass. The pass peaks at 12,600 feet, roughly 5.4 miles from the trailhead, offering panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. Beyond the pass, the trail descends a steep ridge of loose sand, eventually negotiating tight switchbacks to reach the East Fork Cimarron River. The Middle Fork Trail (#227) meets the East Fork Trail (#228) near the timberline. Turning left onto the East Fork Trail leads past several wilderness campsites. The trail crosses the river to the eastern bank and passes the ruins of the historic Silver Jack Mine. The final five miles follow an easy grade along an old mining road that runs adjacent to the East Fork Cimarron River, completing the loop.

Most of the East Fork follows an old mining road which led to the Silver Jack Mine. This mine once brought in gold, lead and silver, but today, only a few collapsed cabins and rusted mining equipment remain.