Thompson Creek Road

· Roaring Fork

Thompson Creek Road

This road contains some of the only pinyon-juniper forest on this trail, and perhaps the best example of it close to Aspen. Just about every ‘PJ’ specialty can be found along here, including Pinyon Jay, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bushtit, Juniper Titmouse, and (at night) Common Poorwill. Portions of the road pass through Douglas-fir habitat, where a slightly higher-elevation mix of birds including Western Tanager, Hermit Thrush, and Hammond’s Flycatcher can be seen.

County: Pitkin

Habitat: Spruce-Fir Forest, Aspen Grove, Streamside Willow, Foothill Shrub

Directions: At the intersection of CO 82 and CO 133 in Carbondale, take 133 south until you reach the traffic signal at CO 133 and Main Street. Turn right and follow the road as it bends right (north) and then left (west) past the Colorado Rocky Mountain School. Just past the school and over the river, when the road splits into a Y, keep left on Thompson Creek Road (CR 108) for about 8 miles from the intersection. Just after you pass the Pitkin County sign you will see a dirt road going left. Take this road for 0.6 miles until you parallel a gully. This is the location where poorwills are seen, and anywhere along this road you can see the Pinyon-Juniper specialties.

Delorme: 46 C3
Roads of Colorado: 85 E2

Dates of Access: Closed during the winter months
Hours: Any
Ownership: US Forest Service/BLM
Admission: Free

Restrictions: None

Parking: Roadside
Lodging: Primitive Camping

Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: None

Latitude: 39.35289
Longitude: -107.29139

Amenities

RestroomsYes
Drinking FountainNo
Gravel TrailsYes
Paved TrailsNo
Platform/BlindNo
BoardwalkNo
ConcessionNo
Visitor CenterNo
Gift ShopNo
PrimitiveYes
Camping
Picnic
HuntingNo
FishingNo
2015-03-16T15:02:09-06:00

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