Lincoln Creek

This side creek just above the narrows on CO 82 is unbelievably scenic, with beautiful smooth granite boulders carved into bizarre shapes by the rushing creek, surrounded by gorgeous spruce-fir forest. The road starts out as an easily traveled one, but soon after the Lincoln Creek Campground it becomes significantly rougher. With care, higher clearance cars should be able to travel many miles up the road through spruce-fir forest, willow carrs, and montane meadows. Golden-crowned Kinglet seems particularly common here, and Fox Sparrow is usually easily found in the willows. American Dippers haunt the creek, and a variety of other creatures can be seen on a morning’s visit, including yellow-bellied marmots, pine squirrels, and chipmunks.

County: Pitkin

Habitat: Foothill Shrub, Streamside Willow, Lowland Riparian, Pond/Lake/Reservoir

Directions:

Delorme: 46 C3
Roads of Colorado: 85 D2

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

Restrictions: None

Parking: Roadside
Lodging: Primitive and dispersed camping

Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: None

Latitude: 39.11945655
Longitude: -106.6884041