South Derby Creek

Total Miles
11.5

Elevation

3,284.68 ft

Duration

3 Hours

Technical Rating

8

Difficult

Best Time

Summer, Fall

Trail Overview

Buckle up for a long, challenging and bumpy ride up to beautiful views and high mountain lakes. Spend a few days to camp and explore. The start of the trail may get busy on the weekends, but will quiet the higher you climb. This road is open mid-May to mid-November, depending on snow.

Photos of South Derby Creek

South Derby Creek
South Derby Creek

Difficulty

Difficult. Slow-going, relentless bumpy terrain with occasional short sections of smooth two-track. After Waypoint 02 trail has rock ledges, loose rocky climbs and several mud holes. When wet, the trail is impassable with slippery, side-hill spots. Not recommended for stock or oversize vehicles.

Technical Rating

8

Access Description

Take I-70 to Dotsero, Exit 133. (Westbound traffic must continue another 0.7 mile on the frontage road to Colorado River Road.) Head north along the Colorado River Road 301, following signs to Burns. After 21.7 miles, turn left on dirt road County Road 39 (Derby Mesa Loop). Follow dirt road 6.5 miles to South Derby Road on the left.

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