Sevenmile
Maps:
USGS 7.5' Map:	Antero Reservoir, Marmot Peak, Harvard Lakes
Statistics:	Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time: Easy 1 FR 311 12.0 8,080 - 9,800 ft. NA 1-2 hours
County:	Chaffee
Adopted by:
Managed by:	Pike/San Isabel National Forest Salida Ranger District	325 West Rainbow Blvd. Salida, CO 81201	719-539-3591
Summary:	Sevenmile is an easy 4WD road that connects Trout Creek Pass on US-Hwy285 with Buena Vista, CO. It goes through forests and meadows with views of the Collegiate Peaks as it loosely follows Sevenmile Creek.
Attractions:	Camping, Natural Arch, Scenic views of Arkansas River Valley.
Seasonal Closure:	Agency - Open April 16 to November 30
Best Time:	June - Best July - Best August - Best September - Best
Trail Heads Accessed:	Davis Meadow FT 1413 - Hiking, Horseback, Mountain Bike (Non Motorized) FT 1414 - Hiking, Horseback, Mountain Bike, Motorcycle, ATV
Camping:	Dispersed campsites are at the ends of spur roads FR311.A, FR311.B, FR311.D, FR311.E, and FR311.F. These sites are medium to large in size.
Base Camp:	This area would be a good place to base camp. There are a large number of easy 4WD roads including Aspen Ridge, Lenhardy Cut-off, and Bald Mountain. There is also the difficult 4WD road, Chinaman, and the extreme 4WD road, Carnage Canyon south of Sevenmile.
Fall Colors:	Good, there are aspen and pine along the meadows as well as distance views of the aspen on the flanks of the Collegiate Peaks.
Navigation:	From Buena Vista, CO go east on East Main Street for 0.2 miles. Turn left onto North Colorado Avenue. Go 0.3 miles and continue on Cnty Road 371 crossing the Arkansas River. After 2.2 miles turn right onto Cnty Road 375 and go 1.1 miles to Cnty Road 376. Turn right onto Cnty Road 376 and go 1.9 miles to Cnty Road 373. Turn left onto Cnty Road 373 and go 0.5 miles to Forest Road 311, a right turn. From Fairplay, CO head south on US Hwy 285 for 22.2 miles. At the top of Trout Creek Pass turn right onto Forest Road 311.
History:
Description:
Sevenmile is an easy 4WD road that connects Buena Vista with Trout Creek Pass by going through the Pike/San Isabell National Forest. From Trout Creek Pass the road is graded gravel. As you leave the highway there will be a parking area on the right, and a larger one a bit further on the left. Past the larger parking area is an un-numbered spur road on the right. Stay left here as you connect with the old Colorado Midland Railroad grade. As you start down into Chubb Park you will pass another spur road on the left, FR311.A, that goes into a grove of trees to a dispersed campsite. The road will continue down into Chubb Park. As you pass over the last small drainage before getting to the floor of Chubb Park you will see the old railroad grade leave to your left making a broad curve. After crossing the creek in Chubb Park you will come to a large four way intersection where Chubb Park, FR309, crosses Sevenmile Road. Continue straight through the intersection. Next you will come to another road to your right, FR309.A, continue to the left and climb into the forest where the road will cross over a saddle. Sevenmile as it leaves the meadow photo by: Adam M About a quarter of a mile from entering the forest you will pass a short spur road, FR311.B on the right which goes to three dispersed campsites. The main road will start to descend down toward Sevenmile Creek through a few switchbacks, staying graded. Along the road you will notice tall hooked pipes sticking out of the ground. They are part of the Upper Homestake water pipeline. Water from Turquoise Lake and Twin Lakes is piped to the Otero Pump Station on the Arkensas River north of Buena Vista, through the Homestake Pipeline, to Colorado Springs. Sevenmile heading down photo by: Adam M Sevenmile Creek drainage photo by: Adam M After about three miles from the start, you will come to the spur road FR311.D on your right. This road goes to a trailhead for the Davis Meadows Trail, FT1413. Just past this intersection the road will pass through a section of private property. Old homestead on private land photo by: Adam M Old homestead on private land photo by: Adam M As you work your way down the Sevenmile Creek drainage there are great views of the Collegiate Peaks on the other side of the Arkansas Valley. Sevenmile looking west photo by: Adam M Next you will come to an un-numbered spur to the right that goes to a dispersed campsite. Shortly after there will be another spur, FR311.E, to the right that also goes to a dispersed campsite. Then on your left will be the intersection with FT1414. Sevenmile will continue west and then drop down into the drainage of North Sevenmile Creek. The water crossing here will be a bit deep, followed by a steep uphill climb. Once on top of a bald hill you will have great views of the mountains to the west. Past the hill you will come to a large "Y" intersection. The road to the right is Little Fourmile, FR373. Stay to the left to continue on Sevenmile. The road will cross a wide rolling meadow with a few juniper stands. At an intersection by a rock outcrop will be the other end of FT1414 on your left. Continue to the right where you will come to the intersection with FR311.F on the right that goes to two dispersed campsites. Continue to the left over a low hill to another intersection with Little Fourmile, FR373. At the intersection head left to connect with the Lenhardy Cutoff, FR376. At Lenhardy Cutoff go right across the cattle guard and go about 2 miles to connect with Fourmile Creek, FR375, which is a wide graded road. Head left on Fourmile Creek to connect with County Road 371, and Buena Vista.
Data updated October - August 8, 2021     4WD Road driven - July 21, 2021     Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2021