Stream/Creek, High Mountain

Location: Weminuche Trail #818

Elevation: 9400-10600

Suggested Bait: Flies

Restrictions: Must have Colorado Fishing License to fish.

Fishing Method: Flyfishing

Seasonal Accessibility: Late Spring/Summer/Fall

Access: HorseBack, Hike

Driving Directions: From Creede, CO, take State 149 south (toward Lake City) 19.3 miles to Rio Grande Reservoir sign (Forest Rd. 520). Turn left onto Rd. 520 and go 0.5 miles to a "Y" intersection. Bear left onto a dirt road, staying on Rd. 520, and go 10.8 miles to the 30 Mile campground sign. Left turn into campground and follow the signs to the trailhead parking lot for both Squaw Creek Trail and Weminuche Pass Trail.

Hiking Directions: The Weminuche trail is 5.5 miles long. It begins at 30 Mile Campground and ends at Weminuche Pass/ San Juan National Forest Trail 564. The trail begins at a gradual steady climb away from Thirty Mile Campground and travels through mixed aspen and spruce tree stands above the Rio Grande Reservoir. After 1 ½ miles, the trail crosses the Weminuche Creek Bridge and makes a short, steep climb out of the creek bottom. Once out of the immediate creek bottom area, the trail passes through patches of timber and small grassy parks before reaching the Weminuche Pass area. The upper 3 mile segment is not difficult as it makes a fairly gradual climb to the pass.

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Forest Service Info:: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recreation/fishing/recarea/?recid=29246&actid=43

This trail allows a hiker to be at Weminuche Pass after an easy 4 hour trip. Most trail user’s camp at the Weminuche Pass area. Fisherman will have easy access from the trail to Weminuche Creek, after about a 1 to 1.5 hour walk from the trailhead. The mile of Weminuche Creek nearest the Rio Grande Reservoir is rugged, cliff-like terrain that is nearly impossible to fish. The headwater area of the creek is an open, broad valley that is easily fishable. At 10,600 feet, Weminuche Pass is the lowest point along the Continental Divide within the Weminuche Wilderness. The trail is well defined and easy to follow.