Swan River
Summit County, Colorado
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Nearby Towns: Breckenridge
Nearby Trails: Red Cone, Radical Hill, Webster Pass, S.O.B. Hill
Trail Length: 18.8 miles
Elevation: 9,822 to 12,651 feet

This is actually a series of trails all following forks of the Swan River. There are three trails, all connected at some point. There is the North Fork, the Middle Fork and the South Fork of the Swan River. Each trail starts on Tiger Road outside Breckenridge and ends near the Continental Divide. There are spectacular views and access to many other trails as well.

The North Fork connects to the Saints John and Deer Creek trails which in turn connect to Radical Hill, Webster Pass and Red Cone. It is very steep and narrow on the way up above timberline, and it is best if you travel this trail uphill if possible. Uphill traffic will have the right of way.

You will come to a couple of old cabins next to the road, with well-defined trails surrounding them. You need to turn right here and cross in front of the cabins, crossing through the Swan River a few yards from here.

There are old mines at the top of the North Fork, and you eventually reach the top at an intersection. You should take the time to turn right here and go to the top of Wise Mountain. There is a cabin at the top that is fully stocked and used year round by anyone who needs to use it. Please leave the cabin as you found it. You have spectacular views here of the Breckenridge Ski Resort and the top of Keystone Peak and lifts at that resort as well.

When you leave the North Fork after returning to your intersection you can loop around to the Middle Fork. On the way, you will pass a few left turns. The first left turn is to Saints John, which is an easy trail that heads down to the town of Montezuma. The second left is Deer Creek, which is an even simpler trail to Montezuma. These two trails make a nice, additional loop if you have the time. Radical Hill intersects with Deer Creek a short distance into the trail.

You will see a few other spurs on the way, and you should continue to take the rightmost spur to make a loop. Soon you'll start heading downhill and you'll be on the Middle Fork of the Swan River.

The Middle Fork is a narrow shelf road above timberline, as you descend into a beautiful basin next to Sheep Mountain. This is possibly the most beautiful of the three forks, even as you are below timberline. It is also a good one for uphill and downhill travel as it is usually wide enough to pass another vehicle.

Plan to stop in the ghost town of Swandyke on your way down the Middle Fork. You can easily recognize it, with a well-preserved cabin right next to the trail. There is plenty of parking.

Across the trail from the cabin, walk a few feet into the trees and you will see half of a tire buried in the dirt and rocks. On closer inspection you will notice this is actually a complete truck or car, upside down and almost completely buried. You can see some of the frame and the axles, and half of a tire. If you know the history of this vehicle, please contact us.

Continue downhill on the Middle Fork and about two miles before you reach the end of the trail there is a well-defined intersection that is marked with a brown Forest Service sign. There are no road numbers or anything else of use. This is the intersection for S.O.B. Hill, a much more difficult trail. The rest of the Middle Fork is a fairly easy trail downhill and back to Tiger Road.

The South Fork is the easiest and widest of the three forks. There is more traffic, as it is a popular way up and down from Georgia Pass. The Georgia Pass trail would be a nice addition to the loop created by the North Fork and Middle Fork trails of the Swan River.

Information last updated on May 11th, 2008.

Member Reports

• September 16, 2006: ran by Cheryl, Dane, Gary, Michael, Mike S., Monica, Roger and Walt
• August 27, 2005: ran by Bob R., Bob S., Gary, Monica, Rob C. and Walt

Driving Directions

From Denver, take I-70 to the Breckenridge exit on Highway 9. Before you get to Breckenridge there is a traffic light at Tiger Road where you will turn left. Continue down the paved road that eventually turns to a smooth gravel road. Just under 5 miles down this road is a wide, flat area that is good for airing down. The North Fork starts just before a narrow bridge ahead, and the Middle Fork starts just after the bridge. The South Fork starts further past that.

Meeting Places

Meet at the Starbucks next to the gas station at Downieville, exit 234 off of I-70.