Fooses Creek Loop

Fooses Creek Loop is a 21.2-mile loop route through pleasant pine forest and flower filled meadows with tall grasses and flowing creeks. This route is primarily singletrack with some dirt road sections, across moderate terrain with a few steep, but short segments. The area is a popular location for trail running, hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The loop starts from the Fooses Creek Trailhead, located east of Salida off of Highway 50. It follows the Colorado Trail (CT) along Forest Road 225, past Fooses Dam, and into the Fooses Creek Drainage. When the trail and creek split, follow the CT (and South Fooses Creek) and begin to climb up to the Continental Divide. From the top of the climb, head northwest and follow the crest of the Sawatch Mountains, along the Continental Divide Trail, to Monarch Pass. As you traverse above treeline across the Continental Divide, you will be rewarded with incredible panoramic views. Eventually, you will see Monarch Pass and Highway 50 and have a choice to make. Take advantage of some amenities at the Monarch Crest Store, or skip the short out-and-back and simply continue northeast to North Fooses Creek and Forest Road 255.