North Fork Lake Creek Trailhead

Location

RangeSawatch Range

Elevation10,800'

Lat/Lon39.1157, -106.5379

Road Difficulty

1 2WD, easy dirt

Driving Directions

From U.S. 24 south of Leadville, take Colorado 82 west towards Twin Lakes. Drive nearly 18.5 miles on Colorado 82 to reach the marked trailhead entrance on the right. It's right before a switchback on the highway. Drive 0.1 mile down a dirt road to reach the trailhead parking area.

On-Site Info

Fees?No

Photos

Winter Access

Highway 82 (Independence Pass) usually closes by November 1st for the winter. Once it's closed, this trailhead is inaccessible.

Trailhead added by BillMiddlebrook

Status Updates
Map


6/29/2024 Posted On: 7/1/2024 By: E_A_Marcus_949 Info: Dry and open to TH. Lots of parking. Creek is flowing mightily.
8/29/2021 Posted On: 8/29/2021 By: mikemalick Info: Just FYI knowing you need to cross the North Fork Lake Creek to get to Mt Champion or Lackawanna from this TH, the stream level is low enough where there are lots of spots to easily rock hop across. We took sandals to cross, but never needed them.
6/9/2021 Posted On: 6/9/2021 By: angry Info: Dry to th.
10/30/2020 Posted On: 10/30/2020 By: Makbrad Info: 82 is still open and dry, although likely not for long if they choose to close 11/7. Several people have been to North Lake Creek TH, avoidable snow, mostly dry. Clear and open.
6/28/2020 Posted On: 6/30/2020 By: supranihilest Info: Obviously open now that Independence Pass is open. As previously reported all of the avalanche debris has been removed. No official campsites at the trailhead but it's a pretty small, quiet one, you could probably car camp easily.
11/11/2019 Posted On: 11/11/2019 By: Trotter Info: Independence pass closed and gated about 3 miles below the TH. The CO DOT webpage is WRONG. It says its closed 2 miles west of the TH, but it is closed 3 miles east of it.
8/18/2019 Posted On: 8/18/2019 By: WildWanderer Info: All avalanche debris has been cleared from parking area. Open and summer conditions.
7/22/2019 Posted On: 7/22/2019 By: madmattd Info: The trailhead was hit by an avalanche this winter, it's open now but debris is everywhere. The 0.1mi or so road into the TH is pretty bumpy but should be passable by any vehicle with a little care (a Civic made it in fine). Not a ton of parking, partially due to the remaining avalanche debris, but room for 6-8 vehicles. TH signboard appears to have survived the avalanche but has no signage of any kind on it. The stream crossing for the Lackawanna approach was flowing fairly fast, knee-deep and quite cold in the morning, though it felt nicer in the afternoon on sore feet.
6/16/2019 Posted On: 6/16/2019 By: supranihilest Info: Totally wiped out by an avalanche. I'm not sure if it's actually officially closed or not but it doesn't matter, just look at the pictures to see what a mess it is (and don't forget you'll probably have to cross Lake Creek, which is raging right now).			1
9/16/2017 Posted On: 9/16/2017 By: JasonKline Info: My Elantra easily made it to the trailhead.
6/8/2013 Posted On: 6/8/2013 By: Yikes Info: Able to drive across the creek from the TH pretty easily (blue). On the way out, took the longer 4wd road back to the highway (red). Very narrow, willows and evergreens scratching up both side of the Xterra. Had to drive over a small downed tree and through several deep mud holes. Don't recommend this if you care about your paint job.
10/1/2012 Posted On: 10/2/2012 By: BillMiddlebrook Info: The 0.1 mile of dirt road leading into the TH is a bit rough but most vehicles should be able to make it.