Filed Under: Skiing, Snowshoeing
Distance is based on one-way travel. This trail is best skied in fresh snow.
From County Road 96, the South St. Vrain Trail climbs west along South St. Vrain Creek, sometimes following the creek quite closely, and sometimes circling away from it. About two miles in, the trail follows an old road for a little while, then turns off to the right (north) and climbs to avoid private property. At the top, it crosses an old road with non-Forest Service signs to the Stapp Lakes. The Stapp Lakes are on private property with no public access. Soon after dropping back down, The South St. Vrain Trail crosses the Sourdough Trail. The South St. Vrain Trail continues gently along a little ridge for another mile to an intersection with the Waldrop Trail. The Waldrop Trail is a ski trail that does not have a good footway for hiking. The trail drops down and crosses a creek, then the Brainard Lake Cutoff Trail forks left (south). It leads to the outlet of Brainard Lake in 0.6 miles. In half a mile, another ski trail turns off to the left (south). The South St. Vrain Trail crosses a meadow for a quarter mile to reach the road. It hits the Mitchell Lake Trailhead spur road off the Brainard Lake Road on the north edge of the swamp along Mitchell Creek.
Directions
Drive on Highway 72 about 3 miles north of Ward. Turn west on County Road 96 toward Beaver Reservoir and Tahosa Boy Scout Camp. Park along the side of the road a short distance up County Road 96. Parking here is extremely limited, other parking is available in a wide road pull-off about 50 yards south of County Road 96 on the west side of Highway 72.
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