Haflin Creek Trail # 557

This is one of Durango's best, that is, when it has been recently cleared. Its raw and wild. Be prepared for a LONG, rugged descent. The Missionary Ridge fire of 2001 ripped through most of the trail leaving quite a few widow makers. Most of the dead trees have fallen at this point. The trail has been cleared sometime around early May for the last few years, so that is the best time to hit it. Hiking it in the spring is also advantageous because the vegetation is minimal and the visibility is a lot better. Later in the summer the trail gets a lot more narrow and choked out. When not cleared expect a few trees down. This trail typically starts at the USFS gate at the top of 071 road at the top of Durango Hills subdivision. Leave a vehicle at the bottom of the trail for a shuttle. From the gate, follow the road until you see another split off to the left, take that for about 300 feet then turn right onto singletrack which is the beginning of the Missionary Ridge Trail. Go up that for a little bit while looking for Haflin Creek Trail on your left. Enjoy the views and get ready for the downhill. Haflin Creek Trail starts off smooth and tight with thick vegetation. It quickly changes to steep rugged sections with loose rock. Midway down is quite smooth. There is another steeper rugged section nearer the bottom and there are some rocky ledges about.