The Chicken Creek Area provides fantastic family-friendly hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking in the ponderosa pines and is a gateway to higher elevation trails. This area is well known for its groomed cross-country skiing during the winter months. The trailhead is located 6 miles north of town. The parking area is large however no signage is posted Spring through Fall. The trails begin on a wide dirt road and becomes narrower as you continue higher. Lower loops comprise the Bauer Loops with a connector trail (Rush connector) to the higher Rush loop and Hamlin Loop. These loops are beginner friendly. Dogs are allowed.
Access to Transfer Campground Area via the Chicken Creek Road
At the Reservoir along Chicken Creek Road continue up CC road toward Turkey Springs. You will reach another meadow with a reservoir. You should now be able to see Mount Hesperus. Continue beyond the cattle guard to continue to head toward Transfer Campground. This route also provides easy access to Morrison Trail prior to reaching 561
Access to the Mancos Spur to the Colorado Trail (via Chicken Creek Trail) or to Mancos State Park
From the Hamlin Trail you can take the Chicken Creek Connector trail to connect to the Mancos Spur Trail (Chicken Creek Trail segment). If you head north you will eventually end up at Transfer Campground where you can continue on to the West Mancos Trail segment of the Mancos Spur, and eventually connect to the Colorado Trail at 11,600' elevation.
If you take the Chicken Creek Connector trail and, head south for several miles, you will join the trail system at Mancos State Park. The trailhead for the Mancos Spur to the Colorado Trail is in Mancos State Park.
Access to Transfer Campground Area via the Chicken Creek Road
At the Reservoir along Chicken Creek Road continue up CC road toward Turkey Springs. You will reach another meadow with a reservoir. You should now be able to see Mount Hesperus. Continue beyond the cattle guard to continue to head toward Transfer Campground. This route also provides easy access to Morrison Trail prior to reaching 561
Access to the Mancos Spur to the Colorado Trail (via Chicken Creek Trail) or to Mancos State Park
From the Hamlin Trail you can take the Chicken Creek Connector trail to connect to the Mancos Spur Trail (Chicken Creek Trail segment). If you head north you will eventually end up at Transfer Campground where you can continue on to the West Mancos Trail segment of the Mancos Spur, and eventually connect to the Colorado Trail at 11,600' elevation.
If you take the Chicken Creek Connector trail and, head south for several miles, you will join the trail system at Mancos State Park. The trailhead for the Mancos Spur to the Colorado Trail is in Mancos State Park.