North Clear Creek  |
| Maps: |
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| USGS 7.5' Map: |
Hermit Lakes |
| Statistics: |
| Difficulty: |
Number: |
Miles: |
Altitude: |
Obstacles: |
Time: |
| Graded |
FR 510 |
4.57 |
9,520 to 10,040 ft. |
NA |
1 hour |
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| County: |
Hinsdale |
| Adopted by: |
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| Managed by: |
Rio Grande National Forest
Divide Ranger District |
13308 West Hwy 160
Del Norte, CO 81132 |
719-657-3321 |
| Summary: |
Access road to the North Clear Creek Falls as well as the North Clear Creek and Bristol Head campgrounds.
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| Attractions: |
Camping, Waterfall |
Seasonal
Closure: |
Agency - March 14 to May 16
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| Best Time: |
June - Best.
July - Best.
August - Best.
September - Best.
October - Best. |
Trail Heads
Accessed: |
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| Camping: |
There are two forest service campgrounds along FR 510, the North Clear Creek and Bristol Head campgrounds.
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| Base Camp: |
This would be a good area to base camp to explore the North Clear Creek drainage and the roads around Santa Maria Reservoir.
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| Fall Colors: |
Average - Some aspen around the campgrounds.
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| Navigation: |
To reach the north end of FR510 and the North Clear Creek Falls, from Creede, CO. head west on West 5th Street/West 6th Street toward Rio Grande Ave. for 318 feet. Turn left onto Rio Grande Ave. for 0.3 miles. Turn right onto Colorado-149 North for 26.1 miles. Turn right onto Forest Rd 510, the North Clear Creek road.
To reach the south end of FR510, from Creede, CO. head west on West 5th Street/West 6th Street toward Rio Grande Ave. for 318 feet. Turn left onto Rio Grande Ave. for 0.3 miles. Turn right onto Colorado-149 North for 21.7 miles. Turn right onto Forest Rd 510, the North Clear Creek road.
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| History: |
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| Description: |
Starting from the north end the North Clear Creek road is a graded road that is the main access to the North Clear Creek Falls and the North Clear Creek and Bristol Head Campgrounds. The North Clear Creek Falls are one of the more spectacular falls in Colorado. From a wide flat alpine meadow the North Clear Creek drops over a sheer rock face into Carcass Gulch.
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North Clear Creek Falls
photo by:
Adam M |
From the falls overlook the road will follow two switchbacks to the bottom of the gulch and continue with the creek to North Clear Creek campground. From here the road climbs up to cross a small plateau before dropping back down a switchback and passing the Bristol Head campground. After going around a ridge the road connects back to Hwy 149.
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Data updated: December 31, 2013
4WD Road driven: July 28, 2010
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