Stoner Creek Trail #625, CO

The Stoner Mesa Trail (#624) starts across the West Fork of the Dolores River from the Lower Stoner Trailhead on the West Fork Road (FDR 535), about three miles from the Highway 145 turnoff. The trail immediately climbs the mesa side and tops out at 8,700 ft. within the first two miles. It then climbs steadily northeast for ten miles, where it meets the Twin Springs Trail (#739) at Twin Springs. At this point you are above 9,800 ft. and you can choose to go over the top of the mountain ahead on the Stoner Mesa Trail or you can skirt the mountain to the east and join the Stoner Creek Trail. The Stoner Mesa Trail continues 2.5 miles, over the mountain and back down to a valley. Then it’s a fairly steep climb for almost three miles to an elevation of 11,600 ft., where you circle 12,113-ft. Eagle Peak and arrive at the Calico Trail (#641) crossing between Eagle Peak and Calico Peak.The Stoner Creek Trail (#625) breaks away from the Stoner Mesa Trail at Twin Springs and drops into Stoner Canyon. It is not recommended to go beyond the junction with the Spring Creek Trail, which is 1¼ miles down the trail once you reach the bottom of Stoner Creek. The lower Stoner Creek Trail is not maintained, and there is no outlet across private land at the bottom end.

2018-07-14 HAZ_Hikebot