Lake Fork (Upper)

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Difficulty:‌3C1 II (v3a4 II)

Raps:‌3-7, max ↨110ft

Metric

Overall:	3.5h	⟷1.9mi
Approach:	40min	⟷1mi	↑160ft
Descent:	2h	⟷0.6mi	↓450ft
Exit:	45min	⟷0.4mi	↑600ft

Red Tape:‌No permit required

Shuttle:‌Optional

Vehicle:High Clearance

Start:

37.7980, -107.8500

Parking:

37.8049, -107.8516

Shuttle:

37.8115, -107.8658

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Condition Reports:

18 Jul 2024

"An absolutely beautiful waterway. Our favorite of the dozen routes weve done in colorado over the last 2 weeks. Anchors were still in like new condit

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Weather:

Weather forecast

Waterflow

Best season:

Aug-Sep

winter				spring				summer				fall
Dec	Jan	Feb		Mar	Apr	May		Jun	Jul	Aug		Sep	Oct	Nov

Regions:

Download: KML / GPX | Open in CalTopo | Printable Map

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Introduction[edit]

Upper Lake Fork has a few unique features and a good pay-to-play ratio. First, the colors! Several Calcium Carbonate sources color the water turquoise blue and the rocks and logs white. Other flowing mineral sources color rocks and logs an orangish-red. Second, many of the walking sections are flat, long and wide walkways with a thin amount of water flowing over the top. Highly recommended!

Upper Lake Fork is full of flat walkways

Approach[edit]

Short Route, Upper Lake Fork recommended
Beta statistics are provided for this option with a car shuttle

Park at the Lake Hope Trailhead Parking at the end of Hope Lake Rd (FS627), 4.25 miles from CO 145 near Trout Lake.

Hike the Hope Lake Trail 0.75 miles, depart the trail and descend through a meadow to the confluence of several small creeks and the start of the interesting geology in Upper Lake Fork.

Hope Lake Trailhead
Hope Lake Trail
View of the Wilson Group in the San Miguel Range, home of three fourteeners

Long Route, including San Miguel Creek tributary
San Miguel Creek is not named on maps, but flows north from San Miguel Peak

Total approach distance: 1.9 miles, +1000'

From the Lake Hope Trailhead Parking, hike the Hope Lake Trail 1.15 miles, departing the Lake Hope trail when it reaches Lake Fork Creek, flowing down from the dammed Lake Hope above. A "Hope Lake Trail" train sign is at this location. Cross the creek and go uphill through willows and up talus slopes. Either go fully to the top of the drops in San Miguel Creek (0.75 miles after departing the trail) or shortcut to the top of the first mandatory rappel in San Miguel Creek. Note the low flow Lake Hope Falls on this approach.

depart the trail at a Hope Lake Trail sign
head uphill to the right of the rock outcropping
Upper Lake Fork Falls

Descent[edit]

San Miguel Creek waterfalls
San Miguel Creek Basin

San Miguel Creek tributary

DC 20' on Canyon Right over some scree

DC on Canyon Right or rappel dry on Canyon Left

DC on Canyon Right around a small waterfall

SMC R1: 40' from a tree on Canyon Left

DC on Canyon Left in the corridor above SMC R2

SMC R2: 100' from a tree on Canyon Left

proceed through the forest after R2 paying attention to the creek to not miss R3

SMC R3: 35' from a tree on Canyon Left

bypass a small 15' waterfall on Canyon Left

bypass a short waterfall on Canyon Right

reach the confluence of San Miguel Creek, Upper Lake Fork and another unnamed creek

at the top of San Miguel Creek
SMC R1
SMC R1

SMC R2
SMC R2
SMC R3
SMC R3

Upper Lake Fork

Upper Lake Fork starts with a wide flat hallway, colored white from Calcium Carbonate in various incoming tributaries

DC a low angle set of stair steps

R1: 50' from a tree on Canyon Left into a great wide and long hallway

DC through a long narrow corridor

R2: 40' from a tree on Canyon Left. While it may be possible to bypass this drop on Canyon Left, take the time to stay in the watercourse to protect the abundant moss on the hillside

R3: 110' Lake Fork Falls from a tree on Canyon Left. Beware of a sharp edge on Canyon Left that core shot a rope

R4: 35' from a tree on Canyon Left next to the falls

Lower Lake Fork Falls: 100' Because it is not possible to avoid the Private Land boundary below, resist the final rappel and exit at the top of the falls, up a short hill on Canyon Right.

Start of Upper Lake Fork, confluence of several creeks, first flat in-canyon walkway

R1
R1
narrow corridor

Incoming Calcium Carbonate
R2
R2
R2

corridor above R3
R3
Poverty Gulch introduces more Calcium Carbonate

R4
R4
Exit point: top of Lower Lake Fork Falls

Exit[edit]

One Car Return to Hope Lake Trailhead: From the hillside just above Lower Lake Fork Falls, bushwhack trending uphill Northeast through the forest on game trails on any available path. (0.3 to 0.4 miles, +600')

Car Shuttle Return: From the hillside just above Lower Lake Fork Falls, bushwhack Northwest, contouring at the same elevation to a parked vehicle at a lower switchback near some campsites on FS627 (37.81150, -107.86575). Staying lower, closer to the private property line may provide the better line. Closest to the return vehicle is the marshiest land that might be better avoided by walking as far Northwest as possible then cutting in at the last moment. (approximately 1.15 miles, +/- a few hundred feet elevation)

Meadow in the return path

Red tape[edit]

Beta sites[edit]

Trip reports and media[edit]

26Aug2023 explored by Ira Lewis, Dan Kinler, Laurie Z, Carl Bern

Background[edit]

Credits

Information provided by automated processes. KML map by (unknown). Main photo by (unknown). Authors are listed in chronological order.

In all habitats live animals and plants that deserve respect, please minimize impact on the environment and observe the local ethics. Canyoneering, Canyoning, Caving and other activities described in this site are inherently dangerous. Reliance on the information contained on this site is solely at your own risk. There is no warranty as to accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the information provided on this site. The site administrators and all the contributing authors expressly disclaim any and all liability for any loss or injury caused, in whole or in part, by its actions, omissions, or negligence in procuring, compiling or providing information through this site, including without limitation, liability with respect to any use of the information contained herein. If you notice any omission or mistakes, please contribute your knowledge (more information).