Devil’s Causeway and Bear River Trail Loop in Routt National Forest, CO

Hike Devil’s Causeway and Bear River Trail Loop Routt National Forest, CO

Class 2 10.7 miles 1800 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Aug 24, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Devil’s Causeway and Bear River Trail Loop GPX Track

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This was my first time visiting the Colorado Flat Tops, and I definitely will be back to the area. The Devil's Causeway is cool, but the rolling hills and mesas up here are really what made this hike incredible.

Starting from the Stillwater Reservoir, I headed along the East Fork Trail (1119) around the northern side of the reservoir, keeping right at the junction with the Bear River Trail (1120). I'll be returning that way to complete the loop. The trail passes a small lake and continues up to the rim, just east of the Devil's Causeway. From here, I left the main trail and followed a social trail to the interesting, narrow feature, crossing it and continuing southwest on a social trail through the gorgeous meadows. The social trail continued to the Chinese Wall Trail (1803), which headed through the open flattop landscape for a long time, and I felt pretty exposed up here as a storm materialized in the distance. I made it to the Bear River Trail and followed it east down some gorgeous slopes back to the trailhead.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Devils Causeway
11800 ft
240 rise

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View east from the trailhead before starting the hike.
View east from the trailhead before starting the hike.
Along the East Fork Trail, following the north side of the Stillwater Reservoir.
Along the East Fork Trail, following the north side of the Stillwater Reservoir.
Looking back along the East Fork Trail.
Looking back along the East Fork Trail.
Image 3 from gallery
Heading up the East Fork Trail.
Heading up the East Fork Trail.
Looking back along the East Fork Trail, a small lake I just passed visible.
Looking back along the East Fork Trail, a small lake I just passed visible.
Looking back down the switchbacks.
Looking back down the switchbacks.
Higher up on the switchbacks, looking back toward the East Fork Trail. Stillwater Reservoir visible center back.
Higher up on the switchbacks, looking back toward the East Fork Trail. Stillwater Reservoir visible center back.
On the rim, view north.
On the rim, view north.
On the rim, looking back down the way I came up, Stillwater Reservoir visible back center.
On the rim, looking back down the way I came up, Stillwater Reservoir visible back center.
Just off the East Fork Trail, crossing the Devil's Causeway.
Just off the East Fork Trail, crossing the Devil's Causeway.
Image 11 from gallery
Devil's Causeway.
Devil's Causeway.
It's a really pretty feature. No scrambling harder than Class 2, but there are sheer drops on either side.
It's a really pretty feature. No scrambling harder than Class 2, but there are sheer drops on either side.
Continuing past the Devil's Causeway.
Continuing past the Devil's Causeway.
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Image 17 from gallery
Looking back the way I came, along the Chinese Wall Trail.
Looking back the way I came, along the Chinese Wall Trail.
Storm brewing!
Storm brewing!
Image 20 from gallery
Eventually, I met up with the junction with the Bear River Trail and took it, heading east.
Eventually, I met up with the junction with the Bear River Trail and took it, heading east.
Image 22 from gallery
Image 23 from gallery
Working down the Bear River Trail. It was really gorgeous.
Working down the Bear River Trail. It was really gorgeous.
View east as I head down the Bear River Trail.
View east as I head down the Bear River Trail.
Image 26 from gallery
I passed a few small lakes along the way.
I passed a few small lakes along the way.
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Image 30 from gallery
Looking back the way I came.
Looking back the way I came.
Image 32 from gallery
Approaching the Stillwater Reservoir.
Approaching the Stillwater Reservoir.
Image 34 from gallery

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!