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Camping Style
About Campground
Soap Creek Trail #443 begins at the end of Soap Creek Road, FSR #721 and ends at the intersection with the Little Robinson Trail #850 and the Peters Creek Trail #856 on the Paonia Ranger District. This trail leads north into the West Elk Wilderness where Wilderness Regulations apply. It climbs steadily, following Soap Creek for about 1.5 miles and intersects with the Soap Basin Trail #442 and the East Soap Trail #535. The Soap Creek Trail forks left at this intersection and continues north along a ridge east of Soap Creek for approximately 1.5 miles before it descends into the drainage and again follows Soap Creek. After crossing the creek and following the creek for about 2 miles it intersects with the Soap Basin Trail again and just past that it intersections with the Sheep Lake Trail #551. The trail ascends out of the Soap Creek drainage traveling through conifer, aspen and open parks to the divide between the Soap Creek and Robinson drainages. Here it crosses into the Paonia Ranger District and continues for approximately half a mile before ending at the intersection with the Little Robinson and Peters Creek trails.
Directions
Soap Creek Road Access: From Gunnison, travel west on Highway 50 for approximately 26 miles to the intersection with Highway 92 at the Blue Mesa Dam. Turn onto Hwy 92 and travel north for approximately 1.5 miles to its intersection with the Soap Creek Road, FSR #721. Follow FSR #721 for approximately 11 miles to its end and the beginning of the Soap Creek Trail #443. Follow the Soap Creek Trail for approximately 2.5 miles to its intersection with the Soap Basin Trail #442. The Forest Service Road #721 is accessible by two-wheeled drive vehicles for the first 7 miles to the Commissary Trailhead. From there to the end of the road, 4 Wheel Drive is recommended. The entire length of road can be very slippery during wet weather.
Accommodations
