West Fork Tail is located in the Weminuche Wilderness area. Campsites in Wilderness must be at least 100 feet from water.

If none are available, you must find a legal campsite outside the restricted area. When camping with your dog, please clean up (bury or pack out) your dog waste around campsites.ĭispersed camping allowed at designated campsites per Special Order #SJRG-99-05.Ĭamping is only allowed at designated sites within ¼ mile either side of the West of the San Juan River from the junction of the West Fork trail (#561) and Beaver Ck trail (#560) to the crossing of West Fork of the San Juan northwest of the hot springs (Sections 23 & 26, T38N, R1W).ĭesignated sites are marked with numbered posts in the Rainbow Hot Springs area.Ī total of 9 designated campsites have been designated in the hot springs area. Forest Service crews have done hazard tree mitigation work around the designated campsites, however there is still an elevated risk of falling trees. Please note, there are many standing dead trees, killed or weakened by the West Fork Fire of 2013 and bark beetle infestation. In addition, the area between the junction with the Beaver Creek Trail and the next crossing of the West Fork of the San Juan is closed to campfires. Legal dispersed sites must be at least 100 ft from water. Finding legal dispersed campsites north or south of the closure area may be difficult. Backpackers should have a backup plan in case all sites are occupied. There are several stream crossings before reaching the Continental Divide Trail at Piedra Pass.Ĭamping is permitted only in the 9 desginated sites (see Special Order details below) in the Rainbow Hot Springs area. Rainbow Hot Springs is located at mile 5. At mile 6, the trail begins to climb steeply. At mile 4.5, there is a junction with Beaver Creek Trail (560) which is closed to protect public health and safety in several steep sections where the trail tread has deteriorated to the point of not allowing for safe travel. The first mile of trail is through private property, so please stay on the trail. The popular West Fork Trail, within the Weminuche Wilderness, leads to Rainbow Hot Springs and continues to the Continental Divide Trail at Piedra Pass for a total of 11.6 miles.

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