West Lime Creek Trail
2.5 mi
Distance
1 hrs 16 min
Time
terrain
787 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a moderate one way trail in San Juan National Forest.
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
stars
West Lime Creek Trail is located approximately 35 miles north of Durango on Route 550. If coming from Durango you will find a gravel parking lot just before the hairpin curve. You can park there as it is an easy walk to the trailhead or you can park along the north side of Route 550 if you’re headed south toward Durango. Arrive earlier and enjoy the solitude or arrive later and enjoy the company of other hikers as this is a popular hike. West Lime Creek Trail is an out/back trail and the trailhead is easily located on the north side of the road to the right of the creek. Be careful going down and coming up the embankment as the gravel is loose and slippery.
The trail is easily followed and is suitable for persons of all ages. There are parts of the trail that are going to be slippery, especially after a rain or morning dew. The trail is a mixture of packed earth, loose rock and exposed tree roots. The trail winds through timber and meadows with the sounds of the creek flowing past you below. There are a total of four stream crossings. Two you should be able to step or jump over and two that may require planning if you don’t want to get your feet wet. Just use good judgement as the rocks or logs you step on my be slippery. Children should be extremely careful in these two areas.
As you hike along enjoy the views of Lime Creek and it’s waterfalls off in the distance. The trail, as listed, comes to and end when it reaches Lime Creek. However, if you are adventurous you could continue further up the trail or just enjoy a snack next to the creek. The solitude and the sounds being the most important. Depending on the time of year the meadow wildflowers may be in bloom. As you begin your return hike pay attention to the waterfall off in the distance on your left! You would have missed it earlier. As your hike comes to an end, be careful coming up the embankment and be extra careful crossing Route 550 or pulling back into traffic on Route 550. As always enjoy, it’s about the hike!
★
★
★
★
This was a beautiful hike. Lots of wildflowers blooming and bright blue skies (in the morning). A couple of easy stream crossings so your toes might get wet. A few bugs helping the flowers, but not bad. There didn’t seem to be a real “end” to the hike, as the trail went further than the GPS map showed. For me, 5.5 miles.
★
★
★
★
