White River National Forest · Colorado

Mitchell Creek

3.6 mi of trail, end to end · Mitchell Creek #1845: 10 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · native material surface · trail No. 1845 · trail class 2 · typical grade trail_grade · tread 12-18 inches wide · hiking, horse

Begins at the forest's mile 0, 39.5943, -107.3518 - no trailhead mapped Drive to where the trail begins

Mitchell Creek #1845 10 mi round trip · the Forest Service's write-up

No fee

Mitchell Creek Trail is a steep single track that ascends through a narrow canyon, traversing rocky terrain and multiple creek crossings. As you gain elevation you are treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding topography, though the ascent is unrelenting. Vegetation along the trail includes gamble oaks, cottonwoods, willows, and aspens, with some spruce and fir at higher elevations. The trail is accessible for hiking or snowshoeing year-round; even in the winter you are likely to hear the birdsong of residential Chickadees and Rock Wrens. The rock formations, surrounding canyon walls, and general sense of solitude make this trail a great place to recreate. Make sure to check out this area if you enjoy photographing wildlife, hiking, horseback riding, or snowshoeing.

Mitchell Creek Trail is 5 miles long (10 miles roundtrip), beginning from the parking lot for the Glenwood Springs Fish Hatchery. From the parking lot, hike ½ mile up the road to the true trailhead. From here, follow the trail for another 4.5 miles up the canyon. The trail stays close to the creek for almost its entire ascent. At 5.0 miles, Mitchell Creek Trail ends at an intersection with Transfer Trail #602 .

The trail is open to foot and horse travel, though horseback riders should use caution due to the narrow, rocky conditions underfoot.

Restrictions <ul><li>Trailhead parking is available at the north end of the hatchery parking lot. Please be respectful of CPW employees and other hatchery guests.</li><li>Please respect private property while walking up the road to the trailhead. Motor vehicles are not permitted north of the hatchery.</li></ul>

This hike on fs.usda.gov

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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.