Running in Pagosa

The Pagosa Springs area offers wonderful running routes with amazing scenary, but most are out-and-back…uphill out, downhill back. It’s hard to run in the Pagosa area without encountering hills. Since most runs are out-and-back, distances are not mentioned because most routes will go longer then the average runner will need. The gravel roads receive little traffic, but an occasional car could kick up dust. I didn’t mention many of the wilderness trailheads because they become steep and rocky within a short distance. The best place for pavement is the neighborhoods within the Pagosa Lakes area, but I did not describe any paved routes.

Downtown Area

Trails

1. Reservoir Hill – One trailhead is located behind the San Juan Motel (on Hwy 160 across from Ski and Bow Rack). The other trailhead starts just east of the hot springs (from the hot springs, take San Juan Street to Park Street).
• Trail is in great shape with lots of forested loops possible.

Gravel Roads

2. Snowball Road (CR200) – Go North on CR200 from Hwy 160 at Forest Service Office.
• Starts out paved, but turn to gravel shortly.
• Sunny, gradual uphill route along scenic meadows with mountain views.

Piedra Area - Go north on Piedra Road (CR 600) (near Hwy 160 at Sonic) about 6.5 miles to the point where the road turns to gravel and crosses a cattle guard.
Trails

3. Turkey Springs Trail – park at trailhead where Piedra turns to gravel.
• Trails exist on both sides of road. The trail on right side disappears after about 2 miles in a meadow with mountain views. The trail on the left goes for miles through the ponderosa pine and connects with many other trails and gravel roads.
4. Monument Park – Take a left onto Turkey Springs Road (FS629) just beyond the Turkey Springs Trailhead (above). After about 2 miles, take a right on FS630. Look for parking area on left after about 1.5 miles.
• Rolling trail through ponderosa pine.
• After about 2 miles, the trail crosses a road that leads west to the Turkey Springs Guard Station (mountain hut).
• Continue on trail another mile and meet up with Turkey Spring Road near the Chris Mountain Trail and Brockover Mesa Road (FS919).
5. Chris Mountain Trail– Take a left onto Turkey Springs Road (FS629) just beyond the Turkey Springs Trailhead (above). Follow the road about 4 miles until you see a "steep narrow road" sign. Park at pull off on the right.
• It's 2 miles of steep uphill, then nice 4 mile loop through the mixed forest.
6. Martinez Canyon Rim - Take North Pagosa Blvd. (near uptown City Market) north just over 2 miles and park on left/north in parking area near the junction with Aspenglow.
• Follow the scenic canyon rim for about 3 miles.
• Drop into canyon after about 2 miles from trailhead.

o Cross the creek and tie in with a host of other trails on the other rim (see Power Line Meadow).

7. Power Line Meadow – Take North Pagosa Blvd 5 miles to the junction with Mockingbird Place. Directly across from this intersection is a parking area with a forest service access gate.
• There’s a great 5 mile loop that winds through meadows and forests and joins multitude of other trails (which will be confusing).
• From the parking area, take the spur trail to the main trail.
• Go right and gradually climb for about 1.5-2 miles.
• When you descend steeply to a creek crossing with a culvert, take a left onto single track trail (if you continue straight, you’ll reach Newt Jack Road).
• Continue on single track until you reach the Power Line Meadow.
• As you enter the meadow, immediately take a left onto a faint single track trail that follows the base of the slope that parallels the power lines (If you miss the faint trail on the left, the trail will T. Left follows power lines into Martinez Canyon and eventually the Martinez Canyon Rim. Right climbs persistently and becomes Brockover Mesa Road, but neither is part of the 5 mile loop).
• When you reach the forest, veer left as the trail briefly climbs into the forest.
• Continue on single track for another 2 miles to complete the loop.
• Follow spur trail back to parking area.
8. Poison Park Trailhead – Take Piedra Road to Williams Creek Reservoir. Near the lake inlet, take a left on FS644, which dead-ends in a parking area at the trailhead.
• The trail is in great shape and descends gradually for about 2 miles through aspen and conifer forests to Weminuche Valley.

Gravel Roads

9. Newt Jack Road (FS923) - Take a left onto Turkey Springs Road (FS629) just beyond the Turkey Springs Trailhead (above). Follow the road about 1 mile where Newt Jack Road (FS923) diverges to your left. Park on the right near the forest service sign.

• A rolling one lane road though the ponderosa pine.
• After about 1/4 mile, the Turkey Springs Trail crosses the road.
• The road Y’s after about 2.5 miles. Go left to meet up with Power Line Meadow Loop.
• Go right and follow trail to Brockover Mesa Road (FS919) and then eventually Turkey Springs Road (FS629) near the Chris Mountain Trailhead.

10. Brockover Mesa Road (FS919) - Take a left onto Turkey Springs Road (FS629) just beyond the Turkey Springs Trailhead (above). Look for Brockover Mesa Road (FS919) on your left after about 4 miles. Park near junction.

• There are two options: 1. Follow the road about two miles downhill to the Powerline Meadow. 2. Follow the road about 1/2 mile to a trail that diverges to your left. This trail descends through ponderosa pine and joins Newt Jack Road (FS923) after about 1.5 miles.

11. Dunagan Canyon (FS603) – From the Turkey Springs Trailhead, take an immediate left on Turkey Springs Road (FS629). After about 2 miles, take a right on FS630. After about 4 miles, look for a small, gated road (FS603) on the left.
• This road is more like trail since it’s gated and one of the few runs that start with downhill. There’s a mountain hut about 2 miles back.
  
12. Trail Ridge – Take Piedra Road to Williams Creek (the stream not the reservoir). Immediately after crossing the bridge over Williams Creek, take a left and park at FS639.
• Follow road through conifer forests.

Wolf Creek Pass Area - Take Hwy 160 east towards Wolf Creek Pass.

Trails

13. Windy Pass Trail – Just before you reach Treasure Falls, park on the left next to the national forest sign. Trail begins on the east side of the highway.
• Climbs persistently through mixed forest to a clearing with an amazing view.
• Trail continues downhill about 3.5 miles into the East Fork Valley.
• Or descend about 1 mile and then climb steeply on the Treasure Mountain Trail, which leads to Wolf Creek Road (FS725) or the Continental Divide Trail (extreme difficultly).

13. Continental Divide Trail - Both sides of Wolf Creek Pass. Take Hwy 160 east to the top of Wolf Creek Pass.
• South side trail crosses the meadow and climbs steeply to the top of the ski area and beyond. Breathe-taking views (literally)!
• North side can be accessed from dirt road with a "Scenic Vista" sign at the top of the pass. The scenic vista road climbs 3 miles to top of the divide (Lobo Overlook) and a parking area beneath the radio towers. The trail is rough in places and descends steeply, but then becomes rolling (lots of uphill on return). Breathe-taking views (literally)!

Gravel Roads

15. East Fork Road (FS667) – On the left/east side of the highway as you descend into the West Fork Valley and cross the West Fork of the San Juan. Drive about 1/2 up the road to parking area on your right.
• A landslide has closed this popular route to motorized traffic meaning you can run a beautiful canyon without any dust!
16. Fall Creek Road (FS039) - Take Hwy 160 east toward Wolf Creek Pass. Take the first right after the hair-pin curve/scenic overlook. Park near the stream crossing.
• Lots of uphill at altitude, but great views.

Mill Creek Area - Go south on Hwy 84 1/4 mile, take left at county fairgrounds/rodeo arena. This is Mill Creek Road (County Road 322).

Gravel Roads

17. Willow Draw (FS722) - Take Mill Creek about 5 miles to the 3rd cattle guard. Parking area is on the left.
• Sunny route along meadows fringed with ponderosa pine and scrub oak.
18. FR029 – When Mill Creek Road Y’s, go right (FR665). After about 1.5 miles, park at the junction with FR029. FR029 connects with Left Hand Canyon Road (FR024) in the Blanco Basin area about 6 miles later.
19. FR024 - When Mill Creek Road Y’s, go right (FR665). Take a right and park on FR024 about 3 miles later.
• Forested route along an old logging road.

Blanco Basin Area - Go south on Hwy 84 about 7-8 miles to County Road 326 (on left/east).

Gravel Roads

20. Blue Creek (FS012) - On right about 2 miles down CR326. Look for the Snow Wolf Lodge sign. Take FS012 about 1 mile and park at forest service gate near snow wolf entrance.
• Sunny route that climbs gradually and then drops steeply to the Blanco River.
21. Left Hand Canyon (FS024) - On left about 3 miles along CR326.
• Sunny route that eventually connects with Mill Creek Road.
22. Blanco Basin – Drive out CR326 about 5-6 miles until it reaches the valley floor.
• Take a right on Castle Creek Road (FS660), cross the river, and park.
• Run CR326 up the valley. There's a potential for dust, but the views are amazing and grade is fairly gentle. The further up you go, the potential for dust decreases.
23. Castle Creek Road (FS660) – See Blanco Basin (above)
• Climbs persistently through amazing aspen groves.
• Another option: drive Castle Creek Road (FS660) to the forest service gate at the road to the Opal Lake Trailhead. At that point, you've gained most of the elevation in your car and you can run Castle Creek’s gentle road grade about 3 miles to the Fish Lake Trailhead. The views of the valley are spectacular.