Cross Creek #1855

The Cross Creek trail begins at Ute - DeepTrail #2031 and ends at Sweetwater Trail #1854. Hike the Ute Trail #2031 for about 1/4 mile and turn right onto this trail, which runs parallel to Sweetwater Canyon and quickly drops down into a lush aspen forest in the first 1/2 mile and crosses Lake Creek, before a steep sagebrush and scrub oak hill. As the trail enters a large wet meadow, it becomes faint, but continues again straight across near an aspen grove. From this point on the trail is fairly level passing through spruce/ fir forests with some aspen. After crossing the Dry Sweetwater Creek the trail ends connecting onto Sweetwater Trail #1854 which can be utilized to return back to the Sweetwater Lake area, about 2 miles northwest of Sweetwater Campground. Early summer is the best time to find excellent displays of lupine, white and purple peavine, flax, sulfur flowers, wild geraniums, locoweed and scarlet gilia.

View a printable Recreation Quicksheet for this trail which is complete with directions, a map, details, and other information about this trail. 

From Eagle, Colorado travel west on I-70 for 13 miles to the Dotsero exit. Follow the signs for Sweetwater, turning north onto the Colorado River Road, follow this road for 7 miles. Turn left onto Sweetwater Creek Road, and travel for 10.5 miles until you get to the Sweetwater Campground. Turn left toward the campground and park at the day use area before walking into the camground where the Ute Trail starts next to camping spot #3. The trail can be accessed by using the Ute Trail, FDT 2031 for a 1/4 mile.