Walters Lake
Maps:
USGS 7.5' Map:	Piney Peak
Statistics:	Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time: Easy 2 FR 442 2.00 10,364 to 10,497 ft. NA 1-2 hours
County:	Eagle
Adopted by:
Managed by:	White River National Forest, Holy Cross Ranger District	24747 US Hwy 24 (P.O. Box 190) Minturn, Colorado 81645	(970)963-2266
Summary:	Walters Lake 4WD road is a short road connecting Sheephorn road with Cottonwood Peak 4WD road.
Attractions:	Lake, Scenery
Seasonal Closure:	Agency - Nov 23 to June 20
Best Time:	July - Possible snow drifts August - Best September - Best October - Early snows possible
Trail Heads Accessed:	FT 442 - Motorcycle and ATV, less than 63 inches wide.
Camping:	There are two dispersed camp sites near Walters Lake.
Base Camp:	Good area to base camp to explore Cottonwood Peak, FR 784, Cottonwood Basin, FR 444, and High Trail Gulch, FR 445.
Fall Colors:	Poor - Most of the area is pine forest.
Navigation:	From Wolcott, CO. head north on Colorado Hwy 131 North toward Yacht Club Drive. Continue on Colorado Hwy 131 north for 13.6 miles. Turn right onto County Rd 1/Trough Rd and go 9.6 miles. Turn right onto Route 11 and go 1.0 mile. Turn right onto Cottonwood Creek Rd and go 0.7 miles. Take a sharp left to stay on Cottonwood Creek Rd and go 1.0 mile. Continue straight to stay on Cottonwood Creek Rd and go 3.7 miles. Turn right onto Sheephorn and go 1.2 miles. Turn left to stay on Sheephorn and go 1.8 miles. Turn right onto Walters Lake 4WD road, FR 442. From Kremmling, CO. head south on Colorado Hwy 9 South/6th Street toward Eagle Ave and continue to follow Colorado Hwy 9 South for 2.2 miles. Turn right onto County Rd 1/Trough Rd and continue to follow County Rd 1 for 14.7 miles. Turn left onto Route 11 and go 1.0 mile. Turn right onto Cottonwood Creek Rd and go 0.7 miles. Take a sharp left to stay on Cottonwood Creek Rd and go 1.0 mile. Continue straight to stay on Cottonwood Creek Rd and go 3.7 miles. Turn right onto Sheephorn and go 1.2 miles. Turn left to stay on Sheephorn and go 1.8 miles. Turn right onto Walters Lake 4WD road, FR 442.
History:
Description:
Walters Lake 4WD road is a short road that runs along the foot of the ridge between Cottonwood Peak (11,484 ft.) and Piney Peak (11,573 ft.). The entire lenght is in the pine forest with few meadow openings. The road stays mainly level as it heads toward Walters Lake. You will drive along the east side of Walters Lake coming to one of the campsites which has the easiest access to the lake. Past Walters Lake the road climbs a bit through an open section before entering the forest again. Shortly you will come to an intersection. The left will continue as a motorized trail for vehicles less than 62 inches wide. The right is Cottonwood Peak, FR 784.
Data updated: February 25, 2014        4WD Road driven: August 31, 2013        Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2014