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


6/2/2026 Posted On: 6/3/2026 By: dquinn Info: Same great conditions as mmcgarity's report on 5/26. Nutras crossing (first photo) had about 10-12 inches of water. Pauline crossing (second photo) was just a few inches.		2
5/26/2026 Posted On: 5/26/2026 By: mmcgarity Info: Road is totally dry and in great shape. Better than some of the paved roads in Colorado Springs. Second creek crossing (Nuestras?) has about 1.5 ft of water in it. Not flowing, but a little deep if you are in a low clearance vehicle.
2/13/2026 Posted On: 2/13/2026 By: Yikes Info: With the low/no snow year, thought I would see how close I could get to Stewart. Bone dry until 14DD. Made it another 4.5 miles up 14DD until the snow was deeper than the clearance on my JGC. Not a place you want to risk getting stuck.	2		1
10/4/2025 Posted On: 10/7/2025 By: LLochrie07 Info: Made it across the Nutras Creek Crossing easily in my Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness. It's maybe 8" right now. The dirt roads to the TH are in good shape. The only obstacle you need clearance for right now is Nutras Creek.
8/9/2025 Posted On: 8/9/2025 By: sherby Info: Made it with our OWB, but yeah the 2nd creek (Nutras) was a bit under 12" deep, I was very close to decide not to cross it. The bottom seems pretty solid, not muddy. We stayed at a dispersed site close to the TH.
8/3/2025 Posted On: 8/4/2025 By: MasonAndersen Info: Standard rough 2wd road, the first creek crossing was very simple, not more than a few inches, second was maybe around 10" deep on the way out (rained some in the last few days), lower on the way back. No problem for jeeps/trucks, but crossovers could have issues. Saw one jeep grand cherokee turned around at the 2nd crossing, but other GCs and subaru outbacks made it to the TH.
7/13/2025 Posted On: 7/13/2025 By: hootenatty Info: The dirt road to the TH is still in good shape. Plenty of dispersed camping available leading up to and shortly past the TH on Friday and Saturday. The first creek crossing was very shallow. Second crossing at Nutras Creek was deeper but still quite doable in a stock Outback, plenty of traction through it thanks to the concrete. See photos.	1	2
5/27/2025 Posted On: 5/27/2025 By: hanada Info: The crossing over nutras creek is pretty high currently, much higher than when I did San Luis beginning of June in 2023. I went to check it out after hiking Stewart. It was hard to tell exactly how deep it got, but I’m guessing it would have went up above my knees in the middle. I did see a Subaru forester drive through it, looked a little sketchy, but seemed to move through it fine. Just wanted to give a heads up for anyone planning to head out there soon.	2	1
10/7/2024 Posted On: 10/8/2024 By: HikesInGeologicTime Info: Nutras Creek crossing seemed deeper than I remembered; we estimated about 8 inches deep this time around. Partner later discovered that beavers have built a dam below the crossing. Lower ground clearance vehicles be warned.			2
9/2/2024 Posted On: 9/2/2024 By: JackAndCaesar89 Info: Drove in on 8/31 and out on 9/1. The road was pretty smooth so fine for a sedan in those terms. What delayed me from doing this so far is the creek crossings. The first one was nothing, maybe two inches of water fine for any car. The second I thought was significant. I went and stood in the middle and estimate it was about 6 inches deep right now. I assume with all the recent rain that has been out there. Took a stock 4WD Jeep Cherokee through with no issues though. The concrete really helps with traction. Mostly trucks at the trail head, but save several other SUVs including a Nissan rogue, Infinity something and a 2WD Chevy Trax SUV. For the people that have read about the mini van being there in a previous review, yes its still there and has a flat tire. I would say to be safe on this go in dry season and after its been dry for a week or two unless you have a truck. Parked at the Stewart Creek so, I cant speak to Eddiesville, but it fit about 8 cars. There were a few other people camping when I pulled up and a few more came in throughout the night.
7/30/2024 Posted On: 8/4/2024 By: Mark Goldstein Info: Road was dry and slightly bumpy. Most 2WD vehicles will get to the trailhead. Nice and clean. A couple of parking spot available. Enjoy!
7/12/2024 Posted On: 7/12/2024 By: Pedro F Info: The two creek crossings had no more than 6" depth of water. A handful of modest ruts, a regular sedan can make it no problem provided you slow down and pick a good line when encountering these few mini-obstacles. A Lexus ES300 sedan was exiting as I arrived yesterday	1
6/22/2024 Posted On: 6/23/2024 By: bryanf Info: Trailhead is okay. Reached in a Subaru Impreza Hatchback (low clearance). 3 or 4 cars parked there on Saturday at 7am. Rained earlier in the night. Made the dirt road muddy. Almost couldn't get up one hill. Map looked like 4 creek crossings, but 2 go under the road. Both were deeper I would've preferred. A couple of downed trees, but easily avoidable.
5/26/2024 Posted On: 5/27/2024 By: coniferjen Info: Road is clear of snow this season. Several downed trees across the road have been cut through by a gentleman from Gunnison. The 2 creeks to drive through are low enough to drive through with a Mazda CX-30 with no issues.	3
9/30/2023 Posted On: 9/30/2023 By: shapovalovm Info: 2WD low-clearance road all the way to the TH. Made it in an Accord no problem. Creeks are very low right now, so crossing is not a problem.

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