Sand Creek

This Trailhead serves as the Southern access point for the Sand Creek Trail No. 1123 and the Sawtooth Trail No. 1165. Additional access to the Sand Creek Trail can be found at Sheriff Reservoir Trailhead .

The 10.4 mile Sand Creek Trail begins as an old jeep before crossing Coal Creek and continuing up the drainage. After 2.7 miles the trail comes to an open meadow and again crosses Coal Creek. Here an old pack trail continues up the West side of the drainage. After crossing, the trail climbs up and out of the Coal Creek drainage and emerges into the vast alpine meadow of the Little Flat Tops. This is a boggy area, characterized by bunch grasses and waist high willows.

After 5.2 miles the Sawtooth Trail splits off to the West. This 2.4 mile trail quickly crosses into the Flat Tops Wilderness and gives access to 12,133 ft Orno Peak and the headwaters of Trout Creek. This trail ends at a posted sign.

The Sand Creek Trail continues North for 2.2 miles and crosses back into a forest of Spruce and Fir. The last 3 miles of trail descend to Sheriff Reservoir, crossing Sand Creek and passing a series of small lakes.

Parking is limited at this location.

This seasonal trail is generally not melted off until mid-late June due to snow levels at this elevation.

This Trailhead serves as a major access portal into the Flat Tops and gives parking to those wishing to access the reservoir and the hiking trails.

Campers should come prepared with a variety of different insect repellants as the mosquitos are exceptionall thick this year.

Camping and restrooms can be found nearby at the Sheriffs Reservoir Campground .

Three separate trails are served by this Trailhead.

Black Mountain Creek Trail #1117 – This 5.9 mile trail gives access to the Flat Tops Wilderness and connects to the Baldy Trail No. 1200 and the East Fork Trail No. 1119. After passing through large open meadows above Sherifs Reservoir, the trail becomes very steep and crosses a shale outcrop at mile 1.4 in an area known as Windy Gap. Great care must be taken when crossing this spot, especially for horse riders, after a rain or snow. From here you can look to the west into Bunker Basin and to the east into the Trout Creek drainage. The trail enters the Wilderness at mile 2.5, the highest point on the trail, at an elevation of 11,125 feet. At 3.3 miles is the junction with the Baldy Trail No. 1200. Continuing, the trail descends into the East Fork Williams Fork drainage and ends and the junction with the East Fork Trail No. 1119.

Bunker Basin Trail #1109 – This 3.0 mile trail passes through large open meadows and stands of Aspen before reaching Haley Reservoir. From the trailhead, you will follow a series of marker posts in a northwesterly direction across a large meadow. At mile 0.5, it reaches a saddle which divides the Trout Creek and Bunker Creek drainages. Staying fairly level, at mile 1.4 it enters a hardwood forest of aspen. This area, known as Bunker Basin, is very colorful during the fall season. The trail begins to drop steadily. At mile 1.9, it crosses a tributary of Bunker Creek and once again traverses a meadow for 0.4 mile. Re-entering the timber, you will finally emerge on the southwest shore of Haley Reservoir. This 6-acre water impoundment was constructed in 1920 for irrigation purposes. The road system to the west provides access for repairs only.

Sand Creek Trail #1123 – This 10.4 mile trail begins adjacent to Sheriff Reservoir on the east end of the dam. Access may be gained by using the spillway bridge. Heading southeast, the trail crosses Sand Creek and arrives at a series of lakes, passing Sand Lake at mile 1.5. Take care in crossing as the water can run high. The trail then crosses Sand Creek again and continues to climb towards the Little Flat Tops. This is a boggy area, characterized by bunch grasses and waist high willows.

* The Sand Creek Trail can also be accessed from the South at the Coal Creek/Sawtooth Trailhead .

The Sand Creek Trail also leads to Sawtooth Trail #1165

After 5.2 miles on the Sand Creek Trail, there is an option to access the Sawtooth Trail which splits off to the West. This 2.4 mile trail quickly crosses into the Flat Tops Wilderness and gives access to Orno Peak and the headwaters of Trout Creek. This trail ends at a posted sign. The main trail, an old rutted jeep road, turns due east until descending southward into the Coal Creek drainage. At 7.7 miles, the trail crosses Coal Creek and continues along a jeep road to the Coal Creek/Sawtooth Trailhead.