Mirror Lake Trailhead, Flat Tops Wilderness, Colorado

The Flat Tops have been on my radar since before I even moved to Colorado, but there was a large fire burning for awhile this summer outside of Meeker, and so smoky conditions kept me out of the area, until just now. I started at the Mirror Lake Trailhead, and then moved to Marvine briefly.... you will notice this blog does not have Marvine in the title, more about that later.

Some fall foliage in the Flat Tops.

It took a little while to get out to the trailhead, so I didn't get started riding until about noon. It is 40 or so miles outside of Meeker, on a good road, for once! It's actually paved for quite awhile and then becomes well maintained dirt. 

Mirror Lake Trailhead is very small but there are several areas where you can disperse camp in the first .01 of a mile before you get to the actual trailhead, (you cannot take trailers past a certain point), and some are better than others to get into. The most open spot in a meadow, is right off the main road, can accommodate any sized rig, and it was available, so that is where I parked. There are no amenities, water, or cell service. 

Mirror Lake Trailhead.

The trail has public access through private property for about a mile, and then eventually it enters the wilderness. There had been a lot of rain the night before, and as I started climbing up the steepest part of the trail, it was a muddy mess. Part way up it got kind of chilly, there had been recent storms and there was even a dusting of snow on some of the higher peaks. 

A narrow, but horse friendly bridge on the Mirror Lake Trail.

On the Mirror Lake Trail.

Once I arrived at Mirror Lake, which is a beautiful blue/green, when the sun hits it, I followed the trail alongside the lake and up over a ridge. This particular section of trail is not on any map, but it continued on for awhile and I got some mountain views. If I hadn't started the ride so late I would have looked for Paradise Lake that is nearby, off trail, or I would have gone back to the junction and continued along the Big Ridge Trail which takes you to Sable Lake, and beyond.

Mirror Lake.

Mirror Lake is a lovely blue/green.

The trail continues, with mountain views.

I turned back eventually, enjoyed the views at Mirror Lake again, passed by the smaller Shamrock Lake, and then did the slip and slide on the mucky trail back down to camp. 

Going back along Mirror Lake.

Shamrock Lake.

Almost back to the trailhead.

That night was pretty nippy, but the next day was very nice, and I decided to do the Snell Creek Trail, which entailed riding on the road for about a mile and a half to get to the trailhead. It's a little too close for driving over, but there is a good amount of parking by the creek, just a little further past where the actual trail leaves the road.

This was a great trail, no mud, not rocky, and a gradual climb with lots of mountain views. 

No parking right by this sign, but there is a big pullout by the creek.

On the Snell Creek Trail.

On the Snell Creek Trail.

This trail is actually not in the wilderness, so it is motorized, but it is a single track and does not look like it gets much motorcycle traffic. I saw no one out there the entire day. Eventually I reached the junction with the Pagoda Lake Trail, which is a two track, and I veered off of it to take the side trail over to see the lake.

On the Snell Creek Trail.

Reaching the junction with the Pagoda Lake Trail.

Pagoda Lake.

Back on the original trail I passed Pagoda Mountain and then I ran across a bull moose and cow. Shortly after that, I arrived at the Chinese Wall/Pagoda Lake parking area, which is huge, and you can disperse camp there. I like loops, if possible, even if it means road riding for awhile, so I started down Rd. 8A, stopping to check out the views at the Ripple Creek Overlook. This is where I ended up seeing the most fall colors of the entire trip.

Pagoda Mt.

On the Pagoda Lake Trail.

Found this guy!

At the Ripple Creek Overlook.

Fall colors!

Looking at the Chinese Wall.

When I got back to camp I had to put my corral back together, cows had come by while I was away, and happily destroyed it for me.

The next day as I was tacking up, a forest service guy drove in and came over to talk to me. Since I had my corral set up in amongst the Aspens, he wanted to make sure my horse wasn't damaging anything by pawing or cribbing, and I said it would never occur to my pony to do any such thing. He said when they see someone camping in the trees with horses, they jot down their license number and if they notice damage they will give you a call. We chatted a bit more, he is a horse person, and the forest service still uses horses and mules in that area. Nice to hear, since in Oregon, where I previously lived, that is just not really done anymore.

More road riding, in order to do a loop, took me over to the double trailheads for Anderson Reservoir and Picket Pin/Lily Pond.

I started by doing the short, but steep trail up to the reservoir. When I was almost there a group of riders were coming back down. They were obviously from the nearby ranch which is the same ranch with the private property that you cross to get to Mirror Lake. This trail was actually not cleared, but I could get around everything. Then I went back and started up Picket Pin. This also climbs very steeply at first but then levels out. If my horse could talk, she would say, "why did we just climb one steep hill, just to go back down and climb another even steeper hill right next to it?"

The North Fork of the White River.

Looking back over towards Mirror Lake.

On the Anderson Reservoir Trail.

Anderson Reservoir.

Looking down onto the private property, Rio Blanco Ranch.

Picket Pin Trailhead.

On the way up it started to rain, I did stop and put on rain gear, but I have learned that a lot of the time, once you are all bundled up, two minutes later the storm will blow over. At the highest point, at a junction, I was just under 12,000 feet in elevation. On the way back down, it started to rain again, but I did not bundle up this time. It was a little bit gloomy out, peaceful, with water dripping off of the trees, just me and my pony, when we went around a corner and there were two hunters in camouflage, standing stock still. They whispered at me to ask if I had seen any bull elk, I whispered back that I had not.

On the Picket Pin Trail.

Picket Pin Park.

On the Lily Pond Trail.

The lily pond, on the Lily Pond Trail.

On the Lily Pond Trail.

The last part of the loop ended at the Lily Pond Trailhead and the steep descent was very muddy and slippery yet again.

Once back in camp the rain started in earnest and kept up for about an hour. Overnight it froze, so when I tried to exit my LQ in the morning, the door was frozen shut! I had to wait for the sun to arrive to unthaw it. I had originally thought that parking out in the open would mean I would have more sun, but actually, with a hill on either side of me I was more shaded than expected.

At this point my plan was to give my horse the day off, drive over to Marvine Horse Camp and then do the 24 mile loop trail the next day. This did not happen. There are two places to camp with horses, East Marvine and Main Marvine. East has a lot more room with two log corrals and a set of steel corrals, but it is on a hill. There was already someone parked in the one flat area. Main is very small and has a lot of log corrals all jammed together and I have no idea how, if they were all being used, people would be able to fit that many rigs in there. They would be packed in like sardines. Most of the corrals were reserved for the upcoming weekend. They want $36.00 per night, there is no water, other than a creek that is along the road in between the two camping areas. There are bathrooms nearby, but not right at the camp. Also if you have any low hanging tanks you would need to be very careful about how you enter or exit both of these camps.

Over at  East, I attempted to find a way to get my rig level on the hilly area, but had no luck, so I parked across the road from the camp in a great completely level area. I wondered if I could stay there and just use the corral in the camp, so I called the ranger district and they said I could. But I thought I would wait and talk to the camp host. I never actually saw him, but two forest service guys drove in, so I asked them. They informed me that they prefer that people park right next to their stock. I told them it was impossible to get level over there, they were sympathetic and informed me that there is a plan in the works to revamp that camp in the future. Meanwhile there is a campground right next to it that I asked about, it was confusing because there is one fee for a spot and an extra fee for a corral, but they informed me that it was just for people without stock. East is slightly cheaper at $31.00, with no water, other than that same creek access, but there is a bathroom in the people campground. This had all taken several hours and I was pretty fed up by then, not to mention I knew that is was going to be another very chilly night, so I decided to scrap staying there...for now. I'll either go back when the camp is fixed up, or I will disperse camp farther away and drive in and out, in order to do this loop, as well as the trails over by Trapper Lake. There is ALOT of riding in the Flat Tops, I barely even scratched the surface of this area.

 GPS COORDINATES TO MIRROR LAKE TH

Soap Creek and Woods Lake Horse Camps, Colorado

Well on the way to my last camping trip I had stopped and changed out the fuel filter in my truck, but even though it was driving fine for three weeks after the fact, that was not the actual problem. So fully loaded and heading off to go camping again I got about 13 miles out of town when the truck was unable to continue, and I was stuck on the highway with cars whizzing past. Turned out to be a simple fuel pump, but on a Sunday I had to find a tow truck company that could tow my truck, and my LQ, separately. Then the truck needed a second tow the following day to get it to a shop. I spent a long and fairly impatient wait back at home, and I was finally back on the road a week later.

At this point I changed plans about where I was even going and decided to go to Soap Creek Horse Camp, near Blue Mesa Reservoir first, and then I drove back through Montrose, and went to Woods Lake second.

On the Navajo Lake Trail.

I had driven into Soap Creek last October in my car, so I knew the road was good, by Colorado standards. Right as you reach the national forest boundary there is a cattle guard that I sincerely hope gets fixed sometime soon. Hugging the extreme left side of it is necessary, since the rest of it is just trashed. Update: They put a brand new cattle guard in! The last three miles are more narrow and windy, but once you get to camp, it is a big open flat area, with plenty of room. 

Soap Creek Horse Corral.

Soap Creek is at about 7700 feet, so it can get hot, but you ride up in elevation from there. It has four fire rings, but no picnic tables, and three feeders set up, as well as a grid of four steel horse corrals. You can park and camp anywhere. There is a nice pull through spot that is right across from where the trail crosses the creek, which has the best access to water, but it was taken by a non horse person when I was there. I parked next to the corrals instead. There are several easy ways to take your horse to the creek to drink, or you can tote it over to the corral area, which is a bit of a walk.

There is a small bathroom and the camp is free. I had minimal sporadic cell service right at camp, but there is full service just up the hill on the road. There was an assortment of rigs parked in the area, but there was no one else camped there, except a group dispersed farther afield with four horses. There is also a people campground a short walk away, where there is a map of the trails, and even though they have potable water spigots, they are not currently in working order.

Soap Creek.

Once I arrived I started out on the Coal Mesa Trail, the map shows this could be a loop with the Cow Creek Trail, but I noticed at the lower junction that the Cow Creek Trail didn't look as well used. The Coal Mesa Trail climbs steadily, then you go over a ridge and you are in a lovely grassy area. I found the upper junction to do the loop, and it was definitely not cleared. Just past that there is a meadow with a spring, and an outfitter has a tent and highlines up there. After that I did not see the trail continuing any further.

On the Coal Mesa Trail.

On the Coal Mesa Trail.

On the Coal Mesa Trail.

On the Coal Mesa Trail.

Near the top, on the Coal Mesa Trail.

The spring, where the outfitters have their set up.

I went back the same way since I didn't have a choice. There are a lot of very interesting rock formations in this area. I took a side trail up on the ridge to look at the view, and I came across a memorial for a horse lady. 

On the way back down.

Lots of rock formations in the area.

Looking back towards the camp.

On the Coal Mesa Trail.

Once back at camp I tried to figure out if it was worth it to even attempt the Cow Creek Trail the next day from the bottom, Colorado maps are notorious for lacking a lot of info, not being accurate, leaving out trails etc. so I figured it might be worth a try. So the next day that is what I did, but it was short lived. It wasn't cleared, but more importantly there was a beaver dam built directly across the trail not too far up, that I could not get around. On the way back my horse put her head down to itch, and right at that moment a grouse burst out of the bushes right beside her head, she's not a jumpy horse, but that surprised even her.

 Plan B was to ride the jeep road 721, over to Big Soap Park.

The beaver dam across the Cow Creek Trail.

On the jeep road.

As I was riding along the road a guy named Harry pulled up and I learned that he was staying out in Big Soap Park with his cows, mules and horse. He's been doing that for 8 years and he also has a sheepherder hut parked at camp.

On the jeep road.

More rock formations.

I passed Little Soap Park first along the creek, and then I got to Big Soap Park, which is a beautiful area. I would have liked to have explored that area more, there are trailheads out there, but after my foray up Cow Creek, I didn't have enough time. I ran into Harry again on the way back, it seemed he was keen on either riding with me the next day, or cooking me dinner that night, but I politely declined both. I did ask him some questions about the trails, and he also told me about a short cut on the way back, to cut off about half a mile.

Big Soap Park.

Harry's critters.

Big Soap Park.

Soap Creek at Soap Creek Horse Camp.

That was all the riding I was going to find there, at least at this time of year, there's other stuff by the reservoir, but I will return in the spring when it is not so hot. The next day I drove over to Woods Lake. 

Update: In May 2026 I went back and stayed at Ponderosa Campground ( Ponderosa is in the Curecanti NRA, and this camp is on the way to Soap Creek, on the same road ) and rode near the reservoir, but there is also a loop that can be done between both camps along the west hillside that goes to an old abandoned ranch. Info about Ponderosa

Riding beside Blue Mesa Reservoir.

The old abandoned ranch.

Woods Lake is a lovely camp set in an Aspen grove, and it is $22.00 a night. The road getting there is ok for the first bunch of miles but the last few are rough, mostly rocky, and one corner in particular has some large humps from people spinning out on their way around it. There are five spots, 32 through 36. I drove around the loop three times trying to figure out which one I wanted. I picked 35 which is the only back- in spot and the only one that is actually level. This camp was obviously built when no one had LQ's. There are tent pads in each site, picnic tables and fire rings. 32, and 33 are the largest spots and can accommodate larger rigs, or more than one rig, but they are on a hill, and the loop road is one way, so unless you drive in backwards, which people do, you would be facing downhill. 34 is a decent size as well and then 35 and 36 are smaller.

Spot #35, the only back in spot.

Rina doing some mowing at spot # 34.

There is a grid with five corrals on a hill in the middle of the camp, with a path from each spot to get up to your horse. Four of the corrals have a gate in the middle which can be left open if you are wanting a bigger sized corral, which is what I did. The corrals have feeders in them and there is a water trough and frost free up on the hill as well. Each camp spot has a steel highline, they are very short, more like a high tie, for one horse only. 

The corrals at Woods Lake Horse Camp.

The highline or high tie in each spot.

This camp is under some construction currently, new bathrooms are being put in, in both campgrounds.  So at the moment the new bathrooms are not useable yet, but there are porta potties set up. There is a large day use area with hitching rails and feeders, plenty of parking room, and they are putting in a water spigot. There used to be small garbage receptacles throughout the camp, but now they have a dumpster. I had no cell service at camp, but had some while riding.

When I went to pay my fee, the pay tube was broken but there was a note saying to pay at the people campground. I did so, but later on the camp host came by because he needed my drivers license number. That's the only place I have ever camped where they asked for that. The camp host was younger than most I've met, but sadly he did not offer to cook me dinner...ha ha!

The day use area at Woods Lake.

The next day I wanted to do a large loop along several different trails, but I noticed that the Rock of Ages Trail had a small section of private land where they do not allow horses, so I did a smaller loop instead. At the Woods Lake Trailhead there is a map with mileage. I took the tie trail over to the Wilson Mesa Trail, which is not in the wilderness, and consequently is shared by motorcycles. It's a pretty quiet area during the week and I didn't see any. Then I took the Rock of Ages Trail to the Elk Creek Trail and then back down the Woods Lake Trail. 

Morning reflections on Woods Lake.

On the Wilson Mesa Tie Trail.

On the Wilson Mesa Trail.

A mini waterfall on the Wilson Mesa Trail.

The Rock of Ages Trail.

I'm glad I did the Elk Creek Trail because it runs along the base of the mountains and is really beautiful. There is one boggy area in a meadow, which has an easy way to get around it now, but it would probably be a lot worse earlier in the year. At the junction with the Woods Lake Trail there is a spring that becomes a stream, appearing out of the side of the hill.

On the Elk Creek Trail.

Entering the Lizard Head Wilderness.

On the Elk Creek Trail.

Looking back over at the Rock of Ages Trail.

On the Elk Creek Trail.

On the Elk Creek Trail.

On the Elk Creek Trail.

Views back down to the valley, on the Elk Creek Trail.

Woods Lake from above.

Found this old structure on the Woods Lake Trail.

Almost back, on the Woods Lake Trail.

The horse camp was empty the entire time I was there and I took an evening stroll through the people campground which has at least 30 spots and only one was taken. People were arriving to spend some time at the lake though, paddle boarding or what not. Speaking of the lake, since I had gotten back from my ride earlier than expected, and it was hot, I jumped into Woods Lake. At just over 9300 feet I figured it might be chilly, and it was, but I stayed in for awhile and swam around. 

I went back up the Woods Lake Trail the following day and then took the Navajo Lake Trail. This a wonderful ride, which drops back down steeply in elevation to get to the lake. Once there, I saw a couple of backpackers tents, but otherwise it was just me and the pikas.

A map with mileage.

On the Woods Lake Trail.

On the Woods Lake Trail.

On the Navajo Lake Trail.

On the Navajo Lake Trail.

On the Navajo Lake Trail.

Navajo Lake.

Navajo Lake.

When the sun hits it, the water is green.

Pikas everywhere.

I could have added the trip to this lake into my ride from the day before, but I am glad I did it separately, took my time and really enjoyed the area and scenery. 

Mine hole.

On the Woods Lake Trail.

On the Woods Lake Trail.

That evening I was wandering through the people campground and I saw a lady with a jeep, who mistook me for the camp host briefly. She was thinking about staying overnight but the campground was so quiet it was weirding her out. I told her it was peaceful, but later I noticed she did not end up staying. 

After I got back from my walk I was getting my horse some hay and I stepped out of the trailer without seeing where my foot was going. Because I had backed up partially over top of the concrete barrier, in order to fit in the spot, it was right underneath me. My foot hit it, instead of the ground, and I fell down hard with my back hitting the concrete and knocking the wind out of me. After assessing the damage I realized I was mostly okay, except for my ankle which had gotten bent in a weird way. So I hobbled around wondering if I would be able to ride the next day. I had a steak in the freezer I used as an ice pack.

Mountain views from the people campground.

Woods Lake.

I didn't sleep well that night, not just from the throbbing ankle, but because some critter was making a racket, I think it was a fox, they make a strange screaming noise. That probably would have scared the crap out of that jeep lady, so it's a good thing she did not stay!

In the morning I decided I could ride, so I set off on the Lone Cone Trail. This trail leaves from the people campground and climbs to a saddle, at which point it drops down into Beaver Park. I only went a little ways down the other side, looking for a view of Lone Cone.

On the Lone Cone Trail.

On the Lone Cone Trail.

On the Lone Cone Trail.

A little bit of a view of Lone Cone.

It is a cleared trail until it hits the wilderness boundary and then it is not, although it was obviously cleared last year, and I was able to get around, or over the few downed trees. There is a boggy area, but I poked it with a stick and it was solid underneath so we went through it. Since the ride was fairly short I went back a slightly different way, there is a 2.6 mile Shoreline Trail around Woods Lake, so I did part of that as well.

On the Lone Cone Trail.

On the Lone Cone Trail.

Woods Lake.

Woods Lake.

When I got off my horse back at camp, my ankle was actually a lot better. It ended up healing very quickly. Funny how I can ride all day, sometimes on sketchy trails, and survive that, only to step out of the back of my trailer and nearly kill myself ! 

GPS COORDINATES TO SOAP CREEK

GPS COORDINATES TO WOODS LAKE