Deer Creek
Maps:
USGS 7.5' Map:	Bowers Peak, Lookout Mountain
Statistics:	Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time: Easy 2 FR684 5.28 9,840 to 10,750 ft. NA 1-2 hours
County:	Saguache
Adopted by:
Managed by:	Rio Grande National Forest Saguache Ranger District	46525 State Highway 114 Saguache, CO 81149	(719)655-2547
Summary:	Deer Creek is a connection road between South Fork and Middle Fork of Carnero Creek. It runs south of Lookout Mountain and follows the Laughlin Stock Driveway.
Attractions:	Pass
Seasonal Closure:	Agency - Closed March 15 to May 15.
Best Time:	June - Snow may still close the higher section July - Best August - Best September - Best October - Early snows may close the higher section
Trail Heads Accessed:	Lost Cabin Creek, FT786 - Hiking
Camping:	There are a few dispersed sites at each end of the road.
Base Camp:	This would be a good area to base camp and explore the roads around Carnero Creek.
Fall Colors:	Very Good - There are large aspen groves to the north of the road.
Navigation:	From Del Norte, CO, to start on the east end of Deer Creek, head north on CO-112 E/Oak Street toward 5th Street. Continue to follow CO-112 E and go 3.2 miles. Turn left onto Grand Ave and go 2.7 miles. Continue onto County Road 38A and go 7.6 miles. Sharp left onto County Road 41G and go 16.4 miles. Turn left on the road coming down hill. This is the Deer Creek road. From Del Norte, CO, to start on the west end of Deer Creek, head north on CO-112 E/Oak Street toward 5th Street. Continue to follow CO-112 E and go 3.2 miles. Turn left onto Grand Ave and go 2.7 miles. Continue onto County Road 38A and go 7.6 miles. Sharp left onto County Road 41G and go 10.1 miles. Turn left onto County Road M33 and go 8.9 miles. Turn right to start the Deer Creek road. From Saguache, CO, to start on the east end of Deer Creek, head west on Gunnison Ave toward 9th Street for 0.1 miles. Turn left onto 10th Street and go 423 feet. Turn right at the 1st cross street onto County Road Z/Denver Ave and continue to follow County Road Z for 5.0 miles. Turn left onto County Road Cc36 and go 3.8 miles. Continue onto County Road CC36 and go 0.3 miles. Turn left onto County Road Z35 and go 2.5 miles. Turn left to stay on County Road Z35 and go 1.4 miles. Continue onto FR 706 and go 1.1 miles. Turn left at Forest Service FR 710.1A and go 2.6 miles. Continue onto FR 706 and go 266 feet. Turn left onto County Road 41G and go 6.5 miles. Turn right on the road coming down hill. This is the Deer Creek road. From Saguache, CO, to start on the west end of Deer Creek, head south on 8th Street toward US Hwy 285 N and go 0.4 miles. Continue onto Gunbarrel Rd/US Hwy 285 S and go 17.1 miles. Turn right onto County Road G and go 5.0 miles. Turn right onto County Road 42/County Road G and continue to follow County Road G for 1.2 miles. Slight right onto County Road 41G and go 10.1 miles. Turn left onto County Road M33 and go 8.9 miles. Turn right to start the Deer Creek road.
History:
Description:
Starting from the west end, Deer Creek road leaves the South Carnero, FR675, road and drops down into a shallow open valley. The road will be a bit rutted in some of the wet areas. As you cross the open meadow there will be a spur on the left that goes to a campsite. Continuing around the meadow you will head into the forest and then come out into a smaller meadow. These are the head of Deer Creek. Meadow at the head of Deer Creek photo by: Adam M The road will be a two track that runs along the meadow with aspen trees intermixed with pine. As the meadow narrows the road will enter the pine forest and head up to a saddle and out of the Deer Creek drainage. The Deer Creek road is part of the Laughlin Stock Driveway. Along this climb in the forest you will pass through a fenceline. Just below the saddle photo by: Adam M The road will head down into the Lost Cabin Creek drainage and cross a long open meadow. Lost Cabin Creek photo by: Adam M At the far end of the meadow you will enter into the forest again. It will be a mix of pine and aspen. You will cross another low saddle in the forest and then come down to another open meadow, this time you will be on the southeast side. The road will cross over this short drainage to the northwest side and head north through aspens before coming out into an open area. Here there will be a short spur road on the left that goes to a campsite. The road will head downhill to connect with the Carnero Creek, FR41G, road.
Data updated - December 9, 2019     4WD Road driven - September 2, 2019     Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2020