Middle Fork #227

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The Middle Fork Trail #227 begins at the end of Forest Service Road #861.1, Middle Fork Road, and ends at an intersection with the East Fork Trail #228. The trail travels south following the Middle Fork Cimarron River at a gentle grade. In approximately 0.03 miles the trail enters the Uncompahgre Wilderness where Wilderness Regulations apply. It continues through spruce/fir and aspen where at approximately 2.2 miles it intersects the Porphyry Basin Trail #243 and it crosses a small drainage. After the crossing, it becomes steep for approximately 0.25 miles then levels off again.

At approximately 4.1 miles, the trail leaves the river and begins to ascend the ridge between the Middle Fork drainage and the East Fork drainage. It climbs steeply above timberline to a saddle at an elevation of 12,595 feet. The views of Uncompahgre Peak raising 14,309 feet, Matterhorn Peak rising 13,590 feet and Wetterhorn Peak at 14,015 feet are spectacular! After passing through the saddle, the trail begins its descent into the East Fork drainage and in approximately 7.0 miles it ends at an intersection with the East Fork Trail.