Green's Creek Out-and-Back

While the Green's Creek trailhead is relatively low in elevation, it is located several miles up a moderately steep dirt road. The dirt road is generally considered to be a two-wheel-drive road, but some water bars might be tough for some sedans to negotiate. That said, anything as rugged as a Subaru will be just fine. The trail begins directly from the trailhead, and no route finding is required here. This is a simple out-and-back route, and there isn't even an option to take a wrong turn. If hiking in the springtime, you'll simply hike until you reach the snow line, then turn around and head down. Note that higher up the trail, there is at least one section where the trail forks. This is simply an alternate line--both forks eventually come back together. If hiking this trail in the summer or fall, you can indeed reach the Monarch Crest. Once on the Crest, feel free to tack on some bonus miles on the Continental Divide Trail. Right out of the trailhead, the trail climbs fairly steeply up a rough, rocky trough formed by the motorcycle traffic. Hang in there--after a short distance the grade mellows out and the quality of the trail tread improves directly. You'll soon find yourself enjoying spectacular views of the mountain ridges rising dramatically above the valley floor, the rushing stream below, and the gorgeous aspen groves. If you can catch it when it's free of moto traffic, this trail is a true gem!