Information
Nearby Trails
| Status: | Seasonal Closure |
| Typically Open: | 06/15 - 11/15 |
| Difficulty: | 1-3
(EASY - MODERATE)
|
| Length: | 19 miles |
| Highest Elevation: | 9944 feet |
| Duration: | About 2 hours |
| Shape of Trail: | Straight Through |
| Best Direction to Travel: | N/A |
| Nearest Town: | Fraser |
| Nearest Town w/ Services: | Fraser |
| Official Road Name: | 139 |
| Management Agency: | Arapaho National Forest |
| District: | Sulphur Ranger District |
Showing 0 trails within 2 miles
Highlights
Keyser Creek would be a great place to camp during the season that is accessible to most vehicles but yet feels far from the city. Most campsites are near the river, and there are aspen forests that would be amazing during the fall when the leaves change colors. The abundance of trail spurs and recreational trails can keep you busy for a whole weekend outing. It could also be used as a scenic drive to connect you from Highway 40 to Highway 3. While in the area I saw deer and moose.
Route Information
Advanced Rating System
Recommended Vehicle:
2WD Vehicle with High Clearance
Concerns:
Summary:
The road is heavily used and is a mostly smooth dirt road with the occasional bumpy area or pothole.
Technical Rating: 1-3
(EASY - MODERATE)
Typically, more rock or undulated road surface. Potential rocks and/or tree stumps less than 12" tall and/or vertical ledges less than 12" tall and/or near vertical ledges or waterfalls less than 24" inches. Tire placement becomes more difficult. Can be steep.
Read more about our rating system Description
Keyser Creek is a 19 mile National Forest access road that is primarily a graded dirt road that is two vehicles wide. Keyser Creek would be passable in most vehicles with good ground clearance weather permitting. There are some areas with potholes and some water that will collect.
At the east trailhead you are near Fraser, CO, the west trailhead is located between Silverthorne and Parshall. There are recreational trail spurs along the Keyser Creek as well as dispersed camping sites and larger sites that would be good for group camping near where the trail intersects with the Blue Ridge Trail/FS 133.
Popular RV and OHV area.
Waypoints
1. East Trailhead (0.00 mi)
Turn west onto County Road 5 at the signs for Crooked Creek National Forest Access.
2. Trail Split (0.20 mi)
Heading West: Turn south onto County Highway 50
Heading East: Turn east onto County Road 5.
3. Trail Split (2.00 mi)
Intersection of County Highway 50 going northeast/west, and County Rd 50 S going east.
Heading West: turn west and continue on County Highway 50.
Heading East: turn northeast and continue on County HIghway 50.
4. Trail Intersection (5.50 mi)
Tipperary Creek Trail N.68 on the south side of the road. Recreational trail only, no motor vehicles (other than snowmobiles).
5. Parking Lot and Seasonal Gate (5.80 mi)
Large parking lot for trailer parking. Seasonal gate at west side of the parking lot.
County Highway 50 turns into FS 139 while in the National Forest.
6. Trail Intersection (6.50 mi)
Backscratch Trail N63 on the south side of the road. No motor vehicle access (other than snowmobiles).
7. Trail Split (8.10 mi)
Intersection of County Highway 50/FS 139 and unnamed spur on the north side of the road.
Continue on County Highway 50/FS 139.
8. FS 882 Intersection (8.30 mi)
Intersection of County Highway 50/FS 139 going east/west and FS 882 going southwest.
Continue on County Highway 50/FS 139.
9. Rocky Point Loop East Trailhead (8.60 mi)
Rocky Point East Trailhead on the northeast side of the road.
10. Rocky Point West Trailhead (9.10 mi)
Rocky Point West Trailhead on the north side of the road.
11. Blue Ridge Trailhead (10.40 mi)
Intersection of County Highway 50/FS 139 going east, County Highway 50/FS 133 going north, and County Road 32/FS 139 going southwest. County Highway 50/FS 133 is also the south trailhead for Blue Ridge Trail.
Heading west: go southwest on County Road 32/FS 139.
Heading east: go east on County Highway 50/FS 139.
12. Trail Split (10.80 mi)
Intersection of County Road 32/FS 139 going west/north, and FS 879.1 going south.
Heading west: go west on County Road 32/FS 139.
Heading east: go north on County Road 32/FS 139.
13. Little Muddy Creek Trailhead (12.30 mi)
Intersection of County Road 32/FS 139 going southwest/east, and FS 134.1 going north.
FS 134.1 is also the south trailhead for Little Muddy Creek.
Heading west: go southwest on County Road 32/FS 139.
Heading east: go east on County Road 32/FS 139.
14. Lake Evelyn Trailhead (14.20 mi)
Intersection of County Road 32/FS 139 going north/east, and County Highway 325/FS 136 going southeast.
County Highway 325/FS 136 is also the trailhead of the Lake Evelyn Trail.
Heading west: go north on County Road 32/FS 139.
Heading east: go east on County Road 32/FS 139.
15. Cook Creek Rim Trailhead (15.80 mi)
Intersection of County Road 32/FS 139 going east/west, and FS 137 going north.
FS 137 is also the south trailhead for Cook Creek Rim.
Heading west: go west on County Road 32/FS 139.
Heading east: go east on County Road 32/FS 139.
16. Keyser Ridge Trail Split (18.10 mi)
Intersection of County Road 32/FS 139 going east/west, and FS 140 going south.
FS 140 is also the north trailhead for Keyser Ridge.
Heading west: go west on County Road 32/FS 139.
Heading east: go east on County Road 32/FS 139.
17. Parking Lot and Seasonal Gate (18.80 mi)
Parking lot and seasonal gate to the east of the parking lot.
18. Horseshoe NF Campground (18.90 mi)
Horseshoe NF Campground to the north of the road. Along the Williams Fork River.
[Horseshoe Campground Info](http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recreation/recarea/?recid=28544)
19. West Trailhead (19.00 mi)
Intersection of County Road 3 going north/south, and County Road 32/FS 139 going east.
Directions to Trailhead
Trailhead Coordinates: 39.955540, -105.820168
Starting Point: Fraser
East Trailhead
The East Trailhead is located just north of Fraser, CO and the begins as you turn onto County Road 5. You will see a road sign for Crooked Creek National Forest Access at this turn. There is not a designated parking lot at the trailhead, but there are wide shoulders to make any adjustments.
From Tabernash, drive south approx 3.25 miles and turn west onto County Road 5.
From Fraser, drive north 0.25 miles from the northern part of Fraser and turn west onto County Road 5. You will see a road sign for Crooked Creek National Forest Access at this turn.
West Trailhead
The West Trailhead is located 12 miles south of Hot Sulphur Springs as the crow flies and is located off of County Highway 32. There is a large gravel turnoff area as well as a campground and parking lot just after turning off the highway.
From Parshall, drive east 0.75 miles and turn south onto County Highway 3. Continue 15.3 miles south on Highway 3 and turn east onto County Highway 32, you will also see signs for National Forest Access and Horseshoe Campground.
From Silverthorne, drive 12.5 miles north on Blue River Parkway/CO-9 and turn east onto Ute Pass Road/County Highway 3. Continue on Ute Pass Road/County Highway 3 for 11.8 miles and turn east onto County Highway 32, you will also see signs for National Forest Access and Horseshoe Campground.
Camping
Dispersed
Designated
While camping, please clean up after your party. Pick up any garbage even if it is not yours to leave the campsite/trail in a better condition than you found it.
There is dispersed camping as per the MVUM for the area. There are a few existing sites with fire rings on the eastern half of the trail; but as you get further west on the trail, the camp sites are more plentiful.
[Sulphur Ranger District Dispersed Camping Information](http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=28512&actid=34)
Horseshoe National Forest Campground is located at the west trailhead.
"There are 7 non-electric sites that will accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. Each site contains a tent pad, fire grate and picnic table. Additional facilities provided include restrooms and trash service. Drinking water is not available, so bring plenty of your own"
[Horseshoe Campground Info](http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recreation/recarea/?recid=28544)
For individual use only, not to be shared.