Gardner Park
Maps:
USGS 7.5' Map:	Orno Peak, Trapper
Statistics:	Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time: Easy 2 FR 910 5.51 9,675 ft. NA 0.5 to 1 hour
County:	Garfield
Adopted by:
Managed by:	Routt National Forest, Yampa Ranger District	300 Roselawn Ave (PO Box 7) Yampa, Colorado 80483	(970)638-4516
Summary:	Gardner Park 4WD road takes you from FR900 that goes to Yamcolo and Stillwater Reservoir up to Gardner Park Reservoir. It continues off the public land connecting with County Road 3B.
Attractions:	Camping, Fishing
Seasonal Closure:	Agency - Closed December 16 to June 14.
Best Time:	June - Best July - Best August - Best September - Best October - Best
Trail Heads Accessed:	Gardner Park Wildlife, FT1107.1 - Hike, Pack and Saddle, Bike
Camping:	There are a few dispersed camp sites around Gardner Park Reservoir and one on FR910.1B.
Base Camp:	This would be a good area to base camp. There are a few 4WD roads in the area, as well as access to the Flat Tops Wilderness.
Fall Colors:	Very Good - The road goes through many aspen groves.
Navigation:	From Yampa, CO. head south on Main Street toward 1st Street for 0.2 miles. Turn right onto County Road 7/S Moffat Ave and continue to follow County Road 7 for 2.2 miles. Slight right to stay on County Road 7 and go 2.0 miles. Continue onto County Road 7 for 1.8 miles. Continue onto Forest Road 900 and go 3.3 miles. Turn left onto Forest Road 910. From Toponas, CO head south on RCR 5 toward CO-131 N for 233 feet. Turn right at the 1st cross street onto CO-131 N and go 5.6 miles. Turn left onto RCR 3 and go 2.8 miles. Continue straight onto RCR 3B and go 4.7 miles. Contine straight on Forest Road 910.
History:
Description:
Starting at the east end of Gardner Park road you will transition from County Road 3B to Forest Road 910 along a small tributary of Smith Creek. You will head into the forest for a short distance and come out into a small meadow. There will be a closed spur road on your right where the Gardner Park road will turn to the south. Again you will enter into the forest. East end photo by: Adam M The road will be an easy two track as it continues south. You will pass through some aspen groves before coming out into a large open meadow. You will pass a spur road on the right, FR910.1B, which goes 0.62 miles back to the east before coming to private property. There is one dispersed campsite along this spur. Staying on the main road you will turn to the west and head along the top of the large meadow. Along the meadow photo by: Adam M Along the meadow photo by: Adam M After passing the large meadow you will head through a shallow valley with some small forested areas. Next you will come to an intersection after crossing a cattle guard. The road to the left is Harper, FR 915, which heads south to Harper Reservoir. Stay to the right to stay on FR910. After going through the forest for a short distance you will come out into Gardner Park and have Gardner Park Reservoir to the west. Gardner Park Reservoir photo by: Adam M Gardner Park Reservoir photo by: Adam M The road will get a little rougher as it heads over toward the reservoir dam. You will drop down below the dam and cross Gardner Creek. Below the reservoir dam photo by: Adam M The road will climb up and head west along the north side of Gardner Park Reservoir. Climbing up photo by: Adam M You will pass a dispersed campsite on your left next to the reservoir before turning to the north. The road will enter into the forest again and make a turn passing a dispersed campsite on your right and then crossing the Pine Mesa Ditch. The road will drop down through two switchbacks as it continues north. Heading down to FR 900 photo by: Adam M The road will be a bit rougher here before it connects with FR 900. Left on FR 900 will head to Yamcolo Reservoir, right will head to Yampa.
Data updated: October 21, 2023        4WD Road driven: July 24, 2023        Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2023