Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest · Colorado, Wyoming

Troublesome

13 mi of trail, end to end · native material surface · trail No. 56.1 · trail class 3 · typical grade 12-20% · tread 24-36 inches wide · hiking, horse, bike

Begins at the forest's mile 0, 40.2372, -106.2091 - no trailhead mapped Drive to where the trail begins

Bill Miller Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up

Free

Designated trailhead with access to trails into Troublesome Basin roadless areas. This is a non-motorized, multi-use trail. No developed facilities. Setting is at interface of sagebrush/aspen/conifer forest area. Timberline is at approximately 10,500 feet elevation. On Arapaho National Forest, administered by the Parks Ranger District.

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

Elk Mountain Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up

Free

Designated trailhead with access to trails into Troublesome Basin roadless area. This is a non-motorized, multi-use trail. It is a moderate hike with camping spots along the way. There are plenty of opportunities for solitude during the summer months, but during hunting season, this area gets heavily used. No developed facilities. Setting is at interface of sagebrush/aspen/conifer forest area. Timberline is at approximately 10,500 feet elevation.

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

Grassy Run Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up

Free

Designated trailhead with access to trails into Green Ridge area and Troublesome Basin roadless area. This is a non-motorized, multi-use trail. No developed facilities. Setting is at interface of sagebrush/aspen/conifer forest area. Timberline is at approximately 10,500 feet elevation. This trailhead is managed by the Parks Ranger District.

Restrictions Seasonal restrictions to protect big game habitat effectiveness, prevent damage to soils, or allow big game retrieval affect motorized use on many roads and trails in this area. See MVUM or contact District for more information.

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

Hyannis Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up

<font style="background-color: #faf8df">Free</font>

Designated trailhead with access to trails into Troublesome Basin roadless area. No developed facilities. Trailhead is small and camping is allowed, but there is only room for a party or two with trailers. Camping opportunities along the trail are numerous, especially at higher elevations. Trailhead is located at interface of sagebrush/aspen/conifer forest area. Timberline is at approximately 10,500 feet elevation. This area is managed by the Parks Ranger District.

Restrictions Seasonal restrictions to protect big game habitat effectiveness, prevent damage to soils, or allow big game retrieval affect motorized use on many roads and trails in this area. See MVUM or contact District for more information.

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

South Fork Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up

Free

This trail lies within the Never Summer Wilderness in the Troublesome Area. Please refer to the Wilderness Regulations. The wilderness is closed to motorized and mechanized vehicles. The South Fork Trail climbs gradually along the South Fork of the Michigan River through the old-growth spruce-fir forests. It occasionally crosses an open meadow along the creek. Views are limited by the trees. Within ½ mile of Baker Pass, the trail breaks into the open and ascends rapidly. The spectacular scenery of the Never Summer Mountains and the Continental Divide may be seen from Baker Pass. It is managed by the Parks Ranger District.

Restrictions Special restrictions in Never Summer Wilderness.

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

Troublesome Pass Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up

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Designated trailhead with access to trails into Troublesome Basin roadless areas. Access to Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. There is plenty of parking at the Bill Miller Trailhead for horse trailers. The Troublesome Creek Trail is one of the most popular trails for horse users as well as hikers. The trail follows the East Fork of the Troublesome, providing good fishing and camping. This trail provides access to most of the trails in the area. This trail lies within the Troublesome Area. Motorized use on any trail in the area is prohibited. There may also be confusion due to the many game trails made by cattle grazing in the area. No developed facilities. Setting is at interface of sagebrush/aspen/conifer forest area. Timberline is at approximately 10,500 feet elevation.

This area is managed by the Parks Ranger District.

Restrictions Seasonal restrictions to protect big game habitat effectiveness, prevent damage to soils, or allow big game retrieval affect motorized use on many roads and trails in this area. See MVUM or contact District for more information.

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

Wheatley Creek Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up

No site fee; current Colorado ATV/OHV/Snowmobile registration required.

The Wheatley Creek Trail provides a good access to the lower Troublesome Area and is a moderate hike. As the trail passes in and out of meadows and aspen stands, campsites are abundant. Private land is located near the north end of the trail and users should avoid crossing onto the land. This trail lies within the Troublesome Area. Motorized use on any trail in this area is prohibited. There may also be confusion due to the many game trails made by cattle grazing in the area. No developed facilities. Setting is at interface of sagebrush/aspen/conifer forest area. Timberline is at approximately 10,500 feet elevation.

This trailhead is managed by the Parks Ranger District.

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

All 375 trails in Medicine Bow-Routt National ForestFind a trailForest on fs.usda.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the US Forest Service's National Forest System trails layer (public domain), read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end, and the class, surface, grade and tread width are the forest's own entries where it publishes them - a forest that publishes the centreline alone has none. The trailheads and the points along the way are the Service's recreation points, and the write-ups its own recarea text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the forest's own site before you go.