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


6/18/2021 Posted On: 6/19/2021 By: Verticality Info: No issues at all with a Subaru Forester. No snow on the road, summer conditions as previously reported. Long road to the trailhead but in great shape with no potholes or large rocks. Included three pictures of the two main creek crossings (Pauline Creek and Nutras Creek). Steel culverts at all the other creek crossings keep the rest of the road nearly always dry. Higher clearance recommended for late spring / early summer just for those creek crossings.		3
5/29/2021 Posted On: 5/29/2021 By: NatDog Info: Road is snow-free to trailhead. Creek crossings were no issue for my stock pickup. I saw several other pickups and suv's beyond the creek crossings.		1
10/12/2020 Posted On: 10/12/2020 By: Hiker Mike Info: The first creek crossing has no water in and the second had very little both times I crossed. The roads are in mostly good condition with some rough areas. Bear in mind the roads aren't that well marked and that can make navigation tricky in the dark
9/12/2020 Posted On: 9/12/2020 By: joemcglinchy Info: Road was dry and clear of snow. Creek crossings not bad, no more than 6 inches deep. No problem in an outback, saw some sedans at the trailhead.
8/6/2020 Posted On: 8/6/2020 By: sky_high Info: Road condition good. The only hesitation I'd have in bringing a small 2wd car are the river crossings. The river is down to a foot or less at both crossings, but the concrete is steep and slippery. Light traffic during the week, we only had 4-5 cars at the trailhead when I left. You can turn around at the bottom of the hill past the trailhead at the Eddiesville lot.
8/1/2020 Posted On: 8/2/2020 By: strayster2 Info: Backing up the previous report (mainly just adding this to post pictures of the creek crossings), this was easily and comfortably driven in a 2WD Hyundai. Maybe the easiest 2WD dirt road to a 14er trailhead I've driven yet.
7/25/2020 Posted On: 7/28/2020 By: CCU_Jim Info: Road easily passable with a 2wd Kia sedan. First creek crossing (Pauline Creek) has maybe an inch of water. The concrete slabs have shifted slightly to create some bumpiness, which was a bigger obstacle than the water itself. Second creek crossing (Nutras Creek) had maybe 2-3 inches of water, but very clean and smooth entry and exit points. This second crossing is only around 2.2 miles from the TH, and right after the Nutras Creek TH for Stewart. Other than the two creek crossings, which are negligible this time of year, road is in impeccable shape and can be driven by any vehicle. Earlier in the year when snowmelt is higher, you'd probably want higher clearance just for the two crossings.
7/24/2020 Posted On: 7/31/2020 By: mikewall45 Info: No problems getting up to trailhead in our 2011 standard Toyota Rav4.
6/30/2020 Posted On: 7/1/2020 By: mtngoatwithstyle Info:
6/27/2020 Posted On: 6/27/2020 By: mtngoatwithstyle Info: In good shape.Creek crossings ok as long as it has not rained in the area.I noticed loads of dens from strippers/rodents by small TH area where cars park by the side of the road and wonder If they are chewing under the cars anything or being good.
6/27/2020 Posted On: 6/29/2020 By: Tartay Info: Road is in really good shape. The two streams are the only real "obstacles" on the entire 27 mile road and could probably be crossed by a sedan right now. No need for 4wd anywhere on the road all the way to the trailhead.
6/25/2020 Posted On: 6/25/2020 By: Flyingfish Info: Road was being regraded today between 10 and 15 miles away from the trailhead. When dry the creek crossings are low enough for most cars. When it is raining though the creeks swell to over a foot deep which is enough for non-high clearance vehicles to be in danger of not being able to cross.
6/14/2020 Posted On: 6/14/2020 By: MountainBuhn Info: This road is extremely remote, but absolutely stunning. So it gives me apprehension to say no one should have issues getting there. No more trees. Creek crossings extremely shallow (see pic, 2nd crossing). Even for 2wd the ruts are low and as long as your tires can handle 27 miles of consistent washboard/rocky then you're set.
6/10/2020 Posted On: 6/10/2020 By: CoHi591 Info: No problem at all getting to Stewart Creek TH in a Subaru Outback. Creek crossings minimal and all fallen trees can be easily skirted.
6/10/2020 Posted On: 6/12/2020 By: KarenG Info: Drove in late in the day and the trees were cleared from the road.

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