Turret Creek-FDT 1832

Difficulty:                  Moderate

Trail Use:                  High

Length:                      7.75 miles

Elevation:                 Starts at 8009 ft, ends at 11,191 ft, highest point 11,224 ft

Elevation Gain:        +3182 feet

Open To:                  Hiking, horseback riding

Access :   Travel 13 miles west of Eagle on I-70 to the Dotsero exit and follow the signs for Sweetwater/Burns by turning north onto the Colorado River Road. Follow the Colorado River Rd. for 7 miles and turn left onto Sweetwater Creek Road.   Stay on Sweetwater Creek Rd. for 11.5 miles, parking near the cabins for the Sweetwater Wilderness Ranch or at Hilltop Ranch, which is a 1/4 up a short, 4-wheel drive road.   To access the trailhead go through the gate at Hilltop Ranch.

Trail Highlights :   This trail provides good access to the Flat Tops Wilderness, with the 3220 foot elevation gain spread out over the entire course.   The trail begins in a dry area with scrub oak, and then follows Turret Creek, passing through stands of aspen and grassy meadows.   The trail then enters lodgepole pine and passes through Turret Meadows at 4 1/2 miles; from here the trail steepens as it climbs the ridge of the White River Plateau.   The trail ends at the junction with Turret-Crescent-FDT 2269 and Shingle Peak– FDT 2042.   Wildlife may be visible along the trail and in Turret Meadows in the morning and evening including mule deer, black bear, elk, coyotes, grouse, beaver, ermine and mink.   Turret Meadows offers an incredible array of wildflowers such as lupines, sunflowers, paintbrushes, phlox and penstemon, especially during the early summer months.