Trail Overview
The Chicken Creek Route loosely follows the side of its namesake creek. The lower section begins under a dense canopy of narrow aspen trees and thick shrubs. As you continue to climb, the trail elevates out of the dense foliage and pops out into expansive grasslands. Here, you are instantly rewarded with stunning, majestic mountain views. The higher you go, the more impressive the scenery becomes, drawing you in with dramatic rock cliffs and striking formations on the hills overhead. The route ends high in the hills at the mouth of a canyon, offering outstanding views and a very rocky turnaround spot. This is a narrow trail that currently needs some maintenance; be prepared for guaranteed "pinstriping" (paint scratching) on your vehicle from the tight aspens and shrubs in the lower sections. Additionally, the boulders on the trail become significantly larger the closer you get to the end, requiring careful tire placement. There is absolutely no cell service on this route. If you plan to camp, there are a few small, dispersed campsites nestled down in the trees at the very beginning of the trail, or you can camp at the rocky turnaround at the end if you desire the higher elevation views.
Difficulty
The rating is primarily due to the transitions into and out of an early creek crossing, as well as large boulders in the trail near the end of the route. Surprisingly, the middle section of the trail is quite smooth and easy to navigate.
