Sourdough

031 - SOURDOUGH

  • Respect Wildness... Practice the 7 Leave No Trace Ethics
  • Plan ahead and prepare: Plan your trip carefully. Prepare for extreme weather, hazards and emergencies. Plan for the least experienced member of your party.
  • Travel and camp on durable surfaces: Hike single file in the middle of the trail or side by side in areas without trails. Camp in hardened areas only, not in meadows or on vegetation.
  • Dispose of waste properly: Pick up all spilled foods and trash. Disperse washing and cooking wastewater 70 adult steps (200 feet/60 meters) from camps and all water sources. Leave no evidence of your stay.
  • Leave what you find: Leave plants, rocks, antlers and artifacts as you find them for others to enjoy.
  • Minimize campfire impacts: CAMPFIRES PROHIBITED AT THIS SITE. Use portable stoves only.
  • Respect Wildlife: Use carry-in/carry-out bear resistant food storage canister April 1 through October 31. Minimize noise. Avoid lakes and streams at dawn and dusk.
  • Be considerate of other visitors: Respect the quality of every visitor’s experience.

EMERGENCIES: In case of emergency, call 911. Area map shows the location of the nearest phone.


Site Location: Site is on a level bench on side of Joe Mills Mountain. Site is surrounded by conifers. A wood sign indicates the path to the site; the path may be marked by red arrowheads on trees. Camp safely away from standing dead trees, as near as is safely possible to the silver metal arrowhead.

Number of Sites: 1
Elevation: 10,600 feet
Distance: 2.5 miles from Bear Lake TH, 6 miles from Fern Lake TH
Approximate Travel Time: 2 to 3 hours from Bear Lake TH, 5 to 6 hours from Fern Lake TH
Elevation Change: 1,120 feet gain from Bear Lake TH, 2,450 feet gain from Fern Lake TH
Privy: YES

Water Source: Water is available from Mill Creek. Boil or adequately treat all water.

To Reach the Trailhead (TH): Bear Lake TH: From Beaver Meadows Visitor Center follow Hwy 36 west to Bear Lake Road (approximately 1.3 miles). Turn left onto Bear Lake Road. TH is at the end of Bear Lake Road (approximately 9 miles after leaving Hwy 36). Parking along road may result in your vehicle being towed. If TH parking is full, use another established parking lot or use the Shuttle Bus when it is available.
 
Drawing of Sourdough Campsite Location
Modified: 04/17

NPS

Last updated: August 12, 2023

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1000 US Hwy 36
Estes Park, CO 80517

Phone:

970 586-1206
The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222.

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