Please join me "Joel Moritz" and fellow Up The Creekers in hiking to the top of Devils Thumb/Pass on the Continental Divide near Winter Park/Fraser, on Saturday, August 13. BBQ/Party to follow at my house near Fraser from about 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
NOTE: Please let me know by Thursday, August 11 if you want to join us for the hike or party or both so I can get a head count.
It has been three years (pre-covid) since we did it last so it is time to do it again.
Devils Thumb sits on the Continental Divide at 11,747 feet of elevation. The trail is moderately difficult and it takes about 2 1/2 hours to ascend and about 1 and 1/2 hours to descend. It is out and back so you can turnaround at any point. We should be back to the trailhead and the cars by about 1:00 p.m.
To start, we will meet at the Safeway parking lot in Fraser, CO, on Saturday, August 13, at 7:45 a.m. to carpool to the trail head. We plan to start hiking from the trailhead no later than 8:30 a.m. (If you want to car pool from Denver, I can probably get you in touch with others that might want to carpool from the Woolly Mammoth Parking Lot at the Morrison Exit at 6:30 a.m.).
If you are coming to the party after the hike, please bring a healthy salad, side dish or dessert to share, and something to grill. I will provide soda, some beer, condiments, plates and utensils. We can play some horse shoes and we will make some smores at the fire pit. It will be great fun!
DEVILS THUMB PARK TRAILHEAD
Drive to the north end of Fraser on Highway 40, and to between mile markers 226 and 227. Turn east on to the road marked for County Road 8. Follow County Road 8 for 6.4 miles to the forest service boundary, at which point the road becomes Forest Road 128. Turn left and follow the road for 1.1 miles to a junction at which point you will turn right and drive for .3 miles to the end of the road and at a small dam. This is the trailhead. This road is also rough in places, but can be driven by a car if you go slowly and if care is taken.
TRAIL TO DEVILS THUMB
From the trailhead at 9640 feet, follow the trail east. After about .75 miles there is a junction. Turn right on the trail marked for Devils Thumb. There is a stream crossing on a bridge across Cabin Creek, and up until here, the trail ascends at a very gentle grade. The trail is faded (2003) at first as it crosses the meadows of Devils Thumb Park, but after crossing the meadows, it become distinct and easy to follow. The trail climbs along Cabin Creek while passing some waterfalls. The trail becomes steep and climbs to timberline. There are some small campsites located in a meadow near timberline. The views open up and the trail climbs to Devils Thumb Pass (11,747 feet elevation) after 3.4 miles. Enjoy the fine views in all directions from the pass.