The Deer Creek Trail #223 begins at an intersection with the Lou Creek Trail #222 and ends at Forest Service Road #481. This trail gradually descends into and crosses a drainage in approximately 1.25 miles. It climbs out of the drainage and continues to climb to where it crosses the North Fork of Lou Creek at approximately 2.2 miles. After passing through a saddle at approximately 2.6 miles, it levels off and travels along the hillside until approximately 4.6 miles where it descend down a draw to intersect Forest Service Road #481. This road is gated at the forest boundary, so it is necessary to return the way you came. During hunting season this trail is very popular.
Directions
From Montrose:
Travel east on Hwy 50 for approximately 21 miles to the intersection with County Road 858, Big Cimarron Road. Turn right onto CR 858, which becomes Forest Service Road #858 at the National Forest boundary, and continue south for approximately 17.6 miles to the intersection with FSR #858.3I. Turn right onto FSR 858.3I and continue to the Silver Jack Overlook, about 0.5 miles, to where the Cowboy Lake Trail #244 begins. Follow the Cowboy Lake Trail for approximately 0.5 miles to an intersection with the Lou Creek Trail. Stay to the right on the Lou Creek Trail for approximately 4.9 miles, over Lou Creek Pass to the intersection with the Deer Creek Trail.
GPS Coordinates
Latitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ S
Longitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ W