West Willow Creek Trailhead

Location

RangeSan Juan Mountains

Elevation11,500'

Lat/Lon37.95563, -106.96672

14ersSan Luis Peak

Road Difficulty

3 Easy 4WD/AWD, good clearance

Driving Directions

The West Willow Creek Trailhead is nearly 9 miles north of Creede. After taking CO 149 into Creede, turn right onto Main Street and drive north through town to join Loma Ave/Road 503. The 503 road is a well maintained 2wd dirt road, albeit steep and rough in a few sections, and only turns to 4wd when you get within 1.5 miles of the trailhead. Reset your odometer as you pass the last buildings on your right or when the road turns to dirt:

Just outside of town you'll pass a mining museum/community building and a large parking area for ATV/OHV trailers.
Continue north through a gorge, full of mining remnants.
At 2.9 miles the road has a sharp left turn at the Midwest Mine site.
At 4.8 miles continue straight on 503 at a large intersection with Bachelor Road (504). Just past the intersection there should be a sign for Equity Mine.
At 7.1 miles turn left on 503, as you see the working Equity Mine up to your right. The 2wd road ends at the Equity Mine. This last 1.5 miles on 503 requires 4wd and good clearance.
At 8.2 miles the road switchbacks down and crosses a creek. If you somehow made it this far without 4wd, park at the turn before dropping to the creek - there's a pull-off big enough for a few vehicles.
At 8.7 miles reach the unmarked trailhead at a sharp left turn. The road continues west but your trail starts at the turn. There's parking for several vehicles and a few tent spots.

On-Site Info

ParkingRoom for less than 10 vehicles and then you'll have to pull off the road nearby.

CampingA few places to pitch a tent at the trailhead and down the road.

Restrooms?No

Fees?No

Photos

Winter Access

There is usually a winter closure at the Commodore Mine.

Trailhead added by BillMiddlebrook

Status Updates
Map


7/4/2021 Posted On: 7/6/2021 By: random-dude Info: 4wd trailhead in decent shape and 4wd not strictly necessary. There were multiple Crosstreks at the trailhead although i would worry about excessive heat in the transmission given the altitude and the uphill nature of the drive from Creede given that Subee's dont have low gearing. A few stream crossings but nothing more than 8-10 inches deep.
6/20/2021 Posted On: 6/20/2021 By: seayachter Info: Road is in decent shape. Made in stock 4x4 pickup with no issues. Multiple Subarus at the trailhead so proper 4x4 isn't mandatory. Follow the map/gps to 504 and 503 and not the sign for Willow Creek. The sign will take you a much longer way to the trailhead.
5/15/2021 Posted On: 5/15/2021 By: WildWanderer Info: Second hand information from someone I met at a trailhead last night who doesnt post here: road clear until the mine. After that snow covered, and it looks like someone deliberately scattered nails over the snow covered road.			1
4/10/2021 Posted On: 4/11/2021 By: aksean22 Info: Bachelor Road (504) is completely dry and any 2WD vehicle can make it to the 503/504 junction. Plowing stops at the junction.
12/26/2020 Posted On: 12/28/2020 By: JtheChemE Info: Prior to 12/28 storm, Bachelor road almost completely dry to the junction of 503/504 where plowing ends.
12/21/2020 Posted On: 12/23/2020 By: druid2112 Info: The road is snowy but plowed enough that the ol' Camry with snow tires had no issues reaching the end of what is plowed. First day I was there, there was still some loose snow, but by the end of the second day they had made another pass with the plow. So yes, you can reach the junction of the 503/504 roads from the Bachelor Road approach in a 2WD and begin your hike from there.
12/4/2020 Posted On: 12/4/2020 By: Unknown Info: Same as last. You have to go up 503 to reach equity winter TH roughly 2-3mi from 503/504 split on Bach Pass. Phoenix TH best to go 502-1A split (RT) from 502 this time of year unless confident in vehicle. Ice slab .5mi prior to Ph. Pk. Will have more beta this weekend including rio grande			1
11/29/2020 Posted On: 11/29/2020 By: sdkeil Info: Road closure is at the 503/504 intersection.
9/25/2020 Posted On: 9/26/2020 By: pmccumber Info: I was at the trailhead yesterday. It hasnt been better in years. Somebody took a tracked blade to the whole route from the Equity Mine to the trailhead. There was a Sprinter Van and a Subaru Forester there at the trailhead. Its even graded beyond the trailhead up the hill. Keep in mind, that 1/2 mi from the creek crossing to the trailhead has a dirt base that is susceptible to mud and ruts.
9/8/2020 Posted On: 9/8/2020 By: Jnaffy Info: Stock wrangler. Minimal 4wd needed if any. The area i assume theyre saying is the dried creek stay right for a good line.
9/8/2020 Posted On: 9/8/2020 By: Jnaffy Info: Stock wrangler. Minimal 4wd needed if any. The area i assume theyre saying is the dried creek stay right for a good line.
8/31/2020 Posted On: 8/31/2020 By: Kent McLemore Info: Easy two wheel drive to Equity Mine, then moderate 4WD to the TH. No problem in a stock Tacoma.
6/27/2020 Posted On: 6/27/2020 By: Flyingfish Info: Passable only with 4x4. Creek crossing is low and any mud holes are dry. There are some very large holes in the road between the creek and TH. Made the TH with a stock Jeep XJ			1
6/25/2020 Posted On: 6/26/2020 By: corunner Info: One of the more pleasant 4wd roads I've been on. It is dry all the way to the upper TH. No mud. My stock Silverado 1500 4wd had no issues. The road immediately after the left turn at the mine might be the narrowest, steepest, and roughest. After that it's really not bad at all. There are two spots with deep ruts. It's not hard to find a good line through them. The main creek crossing was about ankle deep with no large rocks in it. Easy in and out. Not really any camping options until you get to the TH.			2
5/25/2020 Posted On: 5/25/2020 By: JacerJack Info: I was the modified F-150 mentioned two entries below... Made it all the way to the West Willow Creek trailhead with good tires and careful driving, although I would not recommend attempting until it completely dries. 503 is clear and free of snow up to the Equity Mine. Beyond that, there are a handful of short snow drifts and muddy spots that are a bit tricky, but its 80-90% clear. You should be able to make it to the 8.2 mile creek crossing with a capable truck/suv and competent driver. I would strongly recommend parking just before the creek crossing. The next half mile is pretty hairy. There is one particular spot about 100 yards from the trailhead with a deceptively deep mud bog. One party got stuck there and, in their efforts to get unstuck, made an absolute mess of the road (Dodge truck was apparently buried in thick mud up to its headlights). That section is now virtually impassible. Not worth the effort of trying to drive all the way to the trailhead. Save yourself the potential of getting stuck and count on adding an extra mile (round trip) and ~100 ft of vert by parking just before the creek crossing.

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