East Sheep Creek

Managing agency

GMUG NF — Ouray RD

East Sheep Creek is a 7.7-mile out-and-back trail located in Colorado near the town of Colorado. Managed by the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest under the Ouray Ranger District, this route offers access to the scenic Sheep Creek drainage area. The trail follows East Sheep Creek through the national forest, providing hikers with riparian scenery and forest environments typical of the region. As an out-and-back route, hikers can turn around at their preferred point or continue to the established turnaround area, making it adaptable for various fitness levels and time constraints. The Ouray Ranger District manages this trail as part of an extensive network in the San Juan Mountains region. The area is known for its accessible creek-side hiking opportunities and connections to the broader national forest trail system. This trail is ideal for hikers seeking a moderate creek walk through protected national forest lands without requiring technical skills or specialized equipment.