Capitol Creek Trailhead

CAMPING RESERVATION REQUIRED
A reservation is required to camp at Capitol Lake and permits are small in number. This means you may have to either day hike Capitol (long day) or find a dispersed camp outside of the "Capitol Lake Zone," which would be approximately 2 miles below the lake. Check for Capitol Lake camping permits at recreation.gov. For reference, also check out the Overnight Permit Zone Map

Location

RangeElk Mountains

Elevation9,450'

Lat/Lon39.23422, -107.07952

14ersCapitol Peak

Road Difficulty

3 Easy 4WD/AWD, good clearance

Rough 2WD to the horse-trailer parking spot, approx. 2 miles before the trailhead. Easy 4WD dirt to the TH. In spring and early summer, the road can get slippery on a steep hill. 4WD and good clearance is recommended in early summer.

Driving Directions

From Glenwood Springs, drive about 26 miles southeast on Colorado 82 and turn right on Snowmass Creek Road (this is not Snowmass Village). From the intersection of CO 82, it's 9.9 miles to the trailhead and the remainder of these directions assume you reset your trip-odometer at the intersection. Drive 1.7 miles to a junction and turn right on Capitol Creek road. Continue to 6.4 miles where the road turns to dirt. There's horse-trailer parking in this area and it's a good place to park if you have a low-clearance vehicle or the upper road is muddy. Continue up the rugged, narrow (and sometimes slick) road to reach the trailhead at approximately 9.9 miles.

On-Site Info

ParkingParking for about 20 vehicles.

CampingThere are a few places to set up a tent near the trailhead. Most people pack in to Capitol Lake to camp.

Restrooms?No

Fees?No

Photos

Winter Access

Unknown

Trailhead added by BillMiddlebrook

Status Updates
Map


10/17/2009 Posted On: 10/17/2009 By: XPLSV Info: 17 Oct 2009, late evening. Road up was dry and easily in the best shape I have seen it. I kept going upward to the Hell Roaring Creek TH--some wet spots, but also in good shape.
5/17/2009 Posted On: 5/17/2009 By: giarcd Info: The road is dry and dusty all the way to TH (even up towards Hell Roaring TH
7/11/2008 Posted On: 7/11/2008 By: BillMiddlebrook Info: Dry to the trailhead.
6/18/2008 Posted On: 6/18/2008 By: cheeseburglar Info: Road is dry. The waterbars might have grown an inch or two in the last year. Snow pretty much continuous on the Capital Lake trail above 9900 feet.
6/23/2007 Posted On: 6/23/2007 By: giarcd Info: road is open and dry---ditch trail is sweet!
8/19/2006 Posted On: 8/19/2006 By: BillMiddlebrook Info: As of 8/17/2006, there was a sign at the trailhead stating the bridge was out on the Capitol Creek trail. The Capitol Creek "Ditch" trail that starts on the west end of the parking area is recommended instead.
5/31/2005 Posted On: 5/31/2005 By: Scott P Info: Trailhead is open and dry as of May 28.

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Capitol Creek Trailhead

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