Facility · Colorado ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Flat Tops Wilderness · Restricted Access
The Nichols Creek Trail begins at South Fork Trail #1827 and ends at Lost Solar Trail #1828. The trail rises steeply out of South Fork Meadows, then the terrain levels off as the trail continues .25 miles to the Park Creek junction. From here, it gains elevation gradually for another mile as the trail passes through open parks bordered by stands of Englemann Spruce. The last mile of the trail travels through beetle-killed spruce until it reaches the Lost Solar Trail #1828 below Lost Solar Park.
Access to the Lost Solar Trail is located 29 miles east of Meeker, CO.
From Meeker, CO take Colorado Highway 13 east for 1 mile, then turn right (east) on Rio Blanco County Road 8 and follow this for 18 miles. Turn south and Rio Blanco County Road 10 for 2 miles, jog north .25 miles, then continue east for 10 miles to the South Fork Campground and trailhead. Follow the South Fork Trail 16 miles up the South Fork Canyon, past Budges' Resort to the Nichols Creek Trail junction. The Nichols Creek Trail is also accessible from the I-70 corridor via the Coffee Pot Road #600 to Budges' Resort. The Nichols Creek Trail lies 2 miles from the road up the South Fork Trail.
39.87321, -107.32536 · 39°52'23.6"N 107°19'31.3"W
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 3.3 | 3.9 | 4.7 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
Comments