East Branch
Maps/GPS:
USGS 7.5' Map:	Rand, Parkview Mountain
Statistics:	Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time: Easy 3 FR 735 3.10 9,720 ft. NA 1-2 hours
County:	Jackson
Adopted by:
Managed by:	Routt National Forest, Parks Ranger District	100 N. Main (P.O. Box 158) Walden, Colorado 80480	(970)723-2700
Summary:	East Branch is a connector road between Willow Creek, FR106 and Haystack Mountain, FR730. It follows the East Branch of Willow Creek to it headwaters.
Attractions:	Scenery
Seasonal Closure:	Agency - Closed from September 1 to November 15.
Best Time:	June - Possible snow drifts higher up July - Best August - Best September - Seasonal Closure October - Seasonal Closure
Trail Heads Accessed:
Camping:	There is one dispersed campsite at the north end of the road.
Base Camp:	This would be a good area to base camp and explore the roads and motorcycle trails around Haystack Mountain.
Fall Colors:	Poor - Mostly pine forest
Navigation:	From Walden, CO. head south on Main Street toward Van Horn Ave for 0.2 miles. Turn right onto Colorado Hwy 125 South Main Street and continue to follow Colorado Hwy 125 South for 26.9 miles. Slight right onto Co Rd 50/Forest Service Rd 106 and go 2.15 miles. Turn left onto FR735, East Branch road. From Granby, CO head west on US-40 W/E Agate Ave toward South 1st Street. Continue to follow US-40 West for 3.0 miles. Turn right onto CO-125 North and go 26.4 miles. Sharp left onto Forest Service Road 106 and go 2.15 miles. Turn left onto FR735, East Branch road.
History:
Description:
From the Willow Creek, FR106, road the East Branch road heads south following the east Branch of Willow Creek. I have not driven this road but I used Google Earth to describe the route. The road will head over rolling hills through a somewhat open pine forest. Shortly it will enter the wide valley of the East Branch of Willow Creek. The road is a wide two track with no major obstacles. You will pass a small dispersed campsite on the left and then come to an intersection with a blocked spur road on the left. This area serves as a small trailhead for trailered motorcycles and and UTVs. From here the road continues south up the valley. You will be above the creek along the low hills as you follow the creek. The road will pass two more blocked spur roads on the right. These spur roads were used for forest thinning projects. The East Branch road will pass through a few of these thinned areas. The valley will narrow significantly and the forest will get much thicker. You will cross the East Branch of Willow Creek at a switchback and then climb up the other side of the valley to connect with the Haystack Mountain, FR730, road.
Data updated: January 24, 2026      4WD Road driven: Not yet      Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2026