Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest
Darling Creek Trail #18.1

The Darling Creek Trail is about 6.0 miles long (one way) and is little used even June through October (open year round) because it is rated as More Difficult.

Elevations:

• Trailhead: 9,000'
• Destination: 12,100'

USGS Maps: Ute Peak and Byers Peak Quads

Trailhead Location: Take U.S. Highway 40 west from Granby to County Road 3 and head south to County Road 30. Turn south onto County Road 30 towards the campgrounds. Continue on this road to the Darling Creek Road. The trailhead is about a half mile up the road.

The trail doesn't begin until after crossing the Williams Fork Boardwalk. The trail to the right is the South Fork Trail. The trail to the left is Darling Creek. The trail continues level along the river for a short while then heads up a talus slope (under a powerline) and towards a tunnel portal owned by the Henderson Mine. The tunnel and train system are used to transport Molybdenum ore from their mine on the other side of the Continental Divide to their mill site in the Williams Fork Valley.

As the trail approaches and follows Darling Creek, it continues up a moderate slope. While adjacent to the creek, look for calm pools of water. The bottom will appear to be covered with gold but it's actually fools' gold. After about two miles the trail follows a tributary to the Darling Creek towards the St. Louis Divide. The trail becomes steeper in sections as it gains elevation and the vegetation becomes less dense. The final part of the trail reaches timberline and the junction with the St. Louis Divide Trail.