Wheeler

This trail provides good hiking and horseback access to Wheeler Geologic Area, Halfmoon Pass and the La Garita Wilderness. Beautiful views and unique geologic features are the main attractions of this trail. Decent camping areas are not hard to find. Opportunities for fishing exist in East Bellows Creek. This trail allows for a good overnight backpack visit to Wheeler Geologic Area. Camping is allowed only in designated sites. No campfires are allowed within the Wheeler Geologic Area.

After arriving at Hanson’s Mill, those planning to hike to Wheeler Geologic Area should follow the trail delineated with the trailhead sign and registration box. This trail is closed to all motorized use and closed to mountain bike use after crossing East Bellows Creek as it then passes through the La Garita Wilderness.

Within about three miles from Hansons Mill the trail will cross East Bellows Creek. The old sheep bridge is no longer usable, so hikers may get their feet wet. Crossings in the early summer can be dangerous. After the creek crossing, the trail will head up the west fork of East Bellows Creek, Canon Nieve.

The trail joins the 4WD road about 1.5 miles before the geologic formations. At this junction go left (west) and follow the road to its end at a pole fence in a small meadow below Wheeler Geologic Area. The unique, picturesque features of the geologic area are about 0.25 to 0.5 mile north from the end of the road. The foot trail to Wheeler will quickly meet the West Bellows Creek trail.

The trail into Wheeler from the end of the 4WD road is well marked. It is an easy to follow trail but difficult in elevation gain that will take you on a loop trail around the formations.

This trailhead consists of a parking lot, restroom, signing, picnic tables. Overnight camping is allowed at this trailhead. This is an ideal campsite if you have horses. There is lots of room for trailers and nearby grazing. No corrals but horses could be picketed out or put into portable panels or electric fences in nearby meadows.

Wheeler Geologic Area is part of the La Garita Wilderness, within this area you will find many trails, some nearby peaks over 13,000 ft and expansive views. Located near the old mining town of Creede, CO, Wheeler is accessible by a 7 mile hike or a grueling 14 mile four wheel drive road. Your efforts are rewarded by views of a remarkable geologic formation of moderately coarse volcanic tuff eroded into many different shapes.

ALERT! We strongly advise you to plan a whole day trip in order to travel into Wheeler, enjoy the formations, and then get back out. It is not a short, easy trip. The road is extremely rough with deep ruts. High clearance vehicle or ATV recommended. This road is not recommended for travel during monsoonal storms.

Check before you visit. Forest Road #600 from Hanson's Mill to Wheeler is often one of the last roads to open on the forest and first to close. There may be closures during wet periods. Check our Road Status page or call the Divide Ranger District at 719-657-3321.

In addition to East Bellows Creek Trail # 790 , from Hansons Mill and Wason- Wheeler Trail #789 from north of Creede, there are several trails that either lead to Wheeler or from Wheeler on into the La Garita Wilderness.

Check out related trails: West Bellows Trail #871 , Halfmoon Pass Trail # 912 , Machin Basin Trail # 784 , Middle Fork Trail #783 and Middle Fork Cutoff Trail # 888 .

At the end of the Wheeler Road #600 there are several dispersed campsites for the public to use. You are not allowed to camp or have campfires inside the area of the formations. Dispersed camping is allowed at Hansons Mill site located just south of the East Bellows Creek trailhead.

Check out the Wheeler Geologic Area as it is featured in "Stories in Stone" on our National Minerals & Geology Management page .