Trail Overview
This short backcountry trail offers an easy and scenic introduction to the surrounding forest, with several beautiful dispersed campsites located along the route. The trail is generally smooth and well suited to vehicles with reasonable ground clearance, although a few ruts and scattered rocks require some attention and careful tire placement. As you wind through stands of Aspen, the landscape gradually transitions into dense pine forest, creating a peaceful and secluded setting. Wildlife is abundant in the area, and deer are frequently seen near the roadway, with plenty of additional signs indicating the presence of other animals. The route winds back and forth through the forest before eventually circling a large, open meadow. At the end of the trail, you’ll find another camping area and a trailhead where visitors can continue on foot or by other non-motorized means.
Difficulty
In dry conditions, there is very little to be concerned about in terms of difficulty on this trail. The route is generally straightforward, with only a few scattered rocks and occasional shallow ruts that require some attention. As with any backcountry route, be prepared to encounter fallen trees or other deadfall that may partially or completely block the trail, particularly following storms or periods of heavy wind.
History
The Reed Creek Road and Mill Creek area lies in the historic North Routt County landscape surrounding Clark and the upper Elk River. The valleys and mountain drainages were used long before modern roads were established, with Native American groups traveling through the region and later trappers, hunters, and settlers using the surrounding valleys and passes. As settlement expanded in the late 1800s and early 1900s, roads such as Reed Creek Road developed primarily as access routes for ranching, timber, hunting, and Forest Service activities. Much of the surrounding land eventually became part of the Routt National Forest, preserving the area’s extensive forests, meadows, and mountain watersheds. Reed Creek Road today provides access into this remote country, including the Hinman area and surrounding Forest Service lands. The Mill Creek watershed remains an important natural feature of the area and has also been part of the region’s modern forest-management history, including the 2017 Mill Creek Fire, which burned more than 450 acres northeast of Hayden.
