Middle Fork Conejos River Trail

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Middle Fork Conejos River Trail, is located within the South San Juan Wilderness, and is a continuation of Three Forks Trail 712, and starts at Three Forks. The trail continues to follow the Middle Fork of the Conejos River Valley. Less than 1/2 mile up the trail is the junction of the North Fork of Conejos Trail 714.

The trail follows the edge of an alpine meadow and only briefly passes through stands of Engelmann spruce and alpine fir. A few miles up the trail, the valley begins turning to the west and offers a spectacular view of the Continental Divide with a glacial valley in the foreground. To the west, Gunsight Pass can be seen on the horizon.

Following the edge of the meadow, the trail enters a stand of conifers and begins to climb. It is another 1/2 mile to Conejos Falls. The Falls are within 200 feet of the south side of the trail. Shortly after passing the Falls, the trail comes back into a meadow. The hiker can again see the rocky peaks of the Continental Divide. When the hiker reaches the trail's end guests have the opportunity to hike north or south along the Divide.

Backpackers may want to camp near this junction or hike up the drainage to Lake Ann. Lake Ann is due west 1/2 mile from the junction. There is a trail going to the lake on the north side of the river. The first half of the trail is steep with loose talus slopes. Lake Ann is above timberline and offers very little protection during inclement weather. Fishing at the lake is good.