Name | Darling Creek Trail | |
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Summary | Hike along the river to the ridgline | |
Type | Day Hike - Out and Back | |
Distance (Total) | 12.0 miles / 19.3 km | |
Elevation Gain | 3,100 feet / 945 meters | |
Minimum Elevation | 9,000 feet / 2,743 meters | |
Maximum Elevation | 12,100 feet / 3,688 meters | |
Hiking Season | - Summer - Fall | |
Things To See | - Mountain Views - River | |
Difficulty | Strenuous | |
Rating | Trail has not been rated. | |
Nearby Town | Granby, Colorado, United States | |
Link | http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf/recreation/trails/srd/darlingcreek.shtml | |
Permit Required | No | |
Trail Map |
The trail doesn't begin until after crossing the Williams Fork Boardwalk. The trail to the right is the South Fork Trail. Darling Creek is the trail to the left. The trail continues level along the river for a short while then heads up a talus slope (under a powerline) and towards a tunnel portal owned by Henderson Mine. The tunnel and train system is used to transport Molybdenum core from their mine on the other side of the Continental Divide to their mill site here in the Williams Fork Valley.
As the trail approaches and follows Darling Creek, it continues up a moderate slope. While adjacent to the creek, look for calm pools of water. The bottom will appear to be covered with gold but it's actually fools gold. After about two miles the trail follows a tributary to the Darling Creek towards the St. Louis Divide. The trail becomes steeper in sections as it gains elevation and the vegetation becomes less dense. The final part of the trail reaches timberline and the junction with the St. Louis Divide Trail.
Take U.S. Highway 40 west from Granby to County Road 3 and head south to County Road 30. Turn south onto County Road 30 towards the campgrounds. Continue on this road to the Darling Creek Road. The trailhead is about a half mile up the road.
Latitude | 39.788406706 degrees / 39° 47.304' / 39° 47' 18.26" |
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Longitude | -106.022207737 degrees / -106° 1.332' / -106° 1' 19.95" |
Created by Nick on 11/04/2007 |
Last edited on |