Stewart Creek Trailhead

Location

RangeSan Juan Mountains

Elevation10,500'

Lat/Lon38.0246, -106.84124

14ersSan Luis Peak

Road Difficulty

2 2WD, rough dirt, good clearance

Rough 2WD dirt to the TH. NOTE: There are two stream crossings along the road which may be difficult for 2WD vehicles in early summer or after heavy rainfall. Low clearance vehicles not recommended.

Driving Directions

NOTE: Before reaching the trailhead, the dirt road crosses Pauline and Nutras Creeks. There are smooth, cement slabs to make the crossings easier but you will still need a good-clearance vehicle.

The directions shown here assume you are coming from the north. If you are coming from the San Luis Valley area, drive north on Colorado 114 to Dome Lakes, turn left onto the 15GG road and follow the directions from Dome Lake, below:

Take U.S. 50 to Colorado 114 which is 3.5 miles west of Parlin and just east Gunnison. It is approximately 47 miles to the trailhead from this intersection.
Turn south onto Colorado 114.
Drive 20 miles and turn right onto the NN14 road.
Now on dirt, drive 6.8 miles to Dome Lakes and turn right onto the 15GG dirt road (also known as FR 794 when you reach National Forest).
Drive 4 miles to reach a junction and bear right onto the 14DD road (FR 794).
Continue 12 miles on 14DD to reach a signed junction.
Follow the sign for the Stewart Creek trailhead by continuing straight on FR 794.
Drive 4.3 miles to the trailhead. There is parking for a few cars next to the trailhead and additional parking 1/4 mile down the road at the Eddiesville trailhead.

On-Site Info

Parking1-5 Vehicles next to the trailhead, 10-25 vehicles 1/4 down the road at the Eddiesville trailhead.

CampingDispersed camping along the road and near the Eddiesville trailhead.

Restrooms?Yes, at the Eddiesville trailhead

Fees?No

Photos

Winter Access

Closed far away from the TH.

Trailhead added by BillMiddlebrook

Status Updates
Map


5/30/2012 Posted On: 5/31/2012 By: Amadisofgaul Info: The roads to Stewart Creek are in fantastic shape. The only issue for a low clearance vehicle might be the deeply rutted sharp right into the trailhead parking lot.
4/30/2012 Posted On: 4/30/2012 By: matt pierce Info: Drove all the way to Stewart Creek/Eddiesville TH‘s this weekend. Ran into Wade Collins - the rancher that owns that homestead up there along Cochetopa Creek and he said the forest service had called him Thurs to let him know they had opened the gate. The road was shockingly bone dry all the way in. Enjoy!			3
9/24/2011 Posted On: 9/26/2011 By: George Kaplan Info: Road still clear. Made it to the TH in my Toyota Corolla. The 2nd creek crossing is a bit muddy now and some people have piled some brush off to one side for traction, but I made it across with a good running start.
9/17/2011 Posted On: 9/20/2011 By: EatinHardtack Info: The road(s) to Stewart Creek are still very passable and there are plenty of hunters and camps up there for the hunting season before the snow starts to fly. The road is in great shape and I saw a Ford Focus at the TH. There is only one creek crossing over Nutras Creek but it was not deep and anything other than a lowrider could pass it.
8/22/2011 Posted On: 8/22/2011 By: mrschaible Info: I was able to drive my Prius all the way down the 21 mile dirt road with no problem. There are 2 water crossings. Stay upstream on the first one with the concrete pads and it is very shallow. The road is in great shape.
7/5/2011 Posted On: 7/7/2011 By: Reynold_hiker Info: The 21 mile dirt road is clear to the Stewart Creek trailhead. Off CO 142, after NN-14 & then the 15-GG turn, I followed the main FR 794 signs to get to TH. I drove a 4wd Dodge truck, and used 2wd to get there (road was rougher near TH, but high clearance 2wd is fine). Going out on 7/6, in was raining, and I used the 4wd because it was slippery.
7/4/2011 Posted On: 7/5/2011 By: Kitten Info: I agree with the last post. We could not get our Suzuki in the parking lot because of the potholes, we just park it on the side of the road.
6/11/2011 Posted On: 6/12/2011 By: Yalegirl09 Info: Road‘s dry and open. The only tricky section is getting into the parking lot because of potholes.
5/26/2011 Posted On: 5/26/2011 By: Monster5 Info: Gunnison USFS says the road is impassible due to snowdrifts about 20 miles from the TH near the start of the 15-GG road. They are sending crews back there, but it sounded like the road was a couple weeks away from being opened.			1
8/5/2010 Posted On: 8/5/2010 By: crossfitter Info: The dirt road from both sides (lake city and 114) are in great shape and easily passable by any passenger car. The important turns are well marked with signs and I feel I could have done it without any special directions. The turn immediately into the TH parking lot is very rutted and a little dicey, but passable if you are careful where you place your wheels and stay out of the ruts. The parking lot is littered with lots of ruts and large rocks, so low clearance or 2WD vehicles may consider parking somewhere along the road. Look for a fantastic camping site/clearing to park in about .2 miles west of the TH.
8/1/2010 Posted On: 8/1/2010 By: Markwise Info: Made it to the TH in a small 2WD vehicle. Parked along the road, too many large rocks in the parking lot. The drive in is very long and it is A GREAT IDEA to do your homework on the route in. One must pay great attention to the signs and turns.
7/11/2010 Posted On: 7/12/2010 By: jeremy27 Info: LONG, LONG drive in - but scenic with plenty of car-camping. Looks to be generally passable by any passenger car but you will have to take it slower than a 4x4. There are a few spots that might require a car to drive carefully. A passenger car will have to park along the road prior to the TH because the entrance into the TH is severely eroded. Good luck and San Luis is worth every mile.
5/31/2010 Posted On: 5/31/2010 By: MikenColorado Info: Stewart Creek TH is now OPEN as of Sunday May 30, dry and snow free and not in bad shape at all.
5/20/2010 Posted On: 5/20/2010 By: BillMiddlebrook Info: After talking with the Gunnison USFS folks today, here's the current status: Road is still CLOSED/gated miles before the Stewart Creek trailhead and they are going back there next week to reevaluate. It's closed due to snow drifts and mud beyond the gate. They hope to have it open by Memorial Day weekend.
6/24/2009 Posted On: 6/24/2009 By: Pappy Info: Road clear of snow and dry to trailhead.

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