Trip
Intermediate Snowshoe – Blue Lake TH - Sawmill Creek Trail
This out-and-back snowshoe up Sawmill Creek in Roosevelt National Forest follows a gentle winter corridor through quiet timber and softly sculpted drifts. The route climbs gradually along the creek, offering glimpses of frosted boulders and pockets of open meadow framed by snow-laden pines. It’s a peaceful winter escape, ideal for a mellow ascent and a serene retrace back to the trailhead.
Contacts
- Sat, Jan 3, 2026
- Northern Colorado
- Snowshoeing
- Adults
- Moderate
- Mileage: 6.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 1,000 ft
- High Point Elevation: 10,576 ft
- Pace: 1.3-1.8 MPH
- 8 (8 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
This wintry out-and-back up Sawmill Creek unfolds as a tranquil wander through deep forest, where the snow gathers in hushed layers over the trail and the creek murmurs faintly below its icy crust. As the route rises, the trees part just enough to reveal striking winter views of Mount Thorodin and Starr Peak, their broad shoulders gleaming above the valley. The journey offers an unhurried rhythm—an easy climb into quiet alpine woods followed by a relaxed return along the same snowy corridor, perfect for settling into the calm of a Colorado winter day. We'll find a comfortable spot to stop and have lunch/snack. Our pace will be consistent with completing this trip in a reasonable amount of time. Overall this hike is ~6 miles and ~1000 ft elevation gain. (Sawmill Creek - CalTopo)
Carpool Place & Time: Meet at King Soopers, North College, Fort Collins at 7:00 AM, and depart at 7:15 AM (King Soopers Marketplace - Google Maps)
We'll carpool to the Blue Lake Trailhead parking (Blue Lake Trailhead - Google Maps)
Additional carpool location possible further south, if needed.
Required Equipment
Ten essentials and snowshoes are required. Trekking poles are recommended.