A wonderful web of connecting trails around Winter Park and Fraser delights nordic skiers and snowshoers in the winter, and hikers and bikers in the warmer months. This loop outing is also used by snowmobilers.
Passing through parts of the Fraser Experimental Forest, the clockwise route ends with a long downhill run, which will exhilarate the cross-country skier.
Start out on foot to the southeast. Follow the King Creek Road across St. Louis Creek and at four-tenths of a mile from the trailhead, continue straight as the Lower Fool Creek Road, your return route, leads to the right. Ascend another 1.2 miles to another fork. Proceed to the right (southwest) and continue on the King Creek Road.
Pass through some seedling areas with occasional views of nearby peaks before reaching a four-way intersection at mile 3.4 from the trailhead. The Upper Fool Creek Road ascends to the left (southeast) as the King Creek Road continues to the south southeast. To complete this loop, descend rapidly to the right (west) and regain the King Creek Road. Descend left from here to St. Louis Creek and the parking area.
Dave Muller, a Denver psychiatrist in private practice, is the author of several hiking books.
The details
Tour distance: 5.1 miles
Tour time: Up in 100 minutes. Down in 20 minutes (skiers’ times)
Starting elevation: 9,032 feet
Highest elevation: 9,500 feet
Elevation gain: 568 feet (includes 100 extra feet)
Difficulty: Easiest
Avalanche danger: Least
Trail: All the way
Relevant maps: Trails Illustrated No. 103; Fraser 7 1/2 minute;
Bottle Pass 7 1/2 minute;
Grand County No. 4; Arapaho National Forest
Getting there: Drive north on U.S. 40 from the stoplight in Fraser for two-tenths of a mile. Then turn left (west) on West Eisenhower Drive and set your mileage to zero. Cross the railroad tracks and continue straight for one block. Then turn left on Norgren Road, which ends at Road 73. Turn right on Road 73 and drive up the valley. Avoid a right fork at mile 1.3 from U.S. 40 and continue straight. Avoid a left fork at mile 2.8. At mile 4.4, park on the left at an intersection. Unless there is deep snow, most regular cars can reach the parking area on the plowed road.
