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Blanco Ranger District White River National Forest This motorized trail loop links County/Forest Road 8 (near Ripple Creek Pass), the Pagoda Peak Trail and the Snell Creek Trail. Begin by climbing the dirt road (Forest Road 8) from the Snell Creek Trailhead to the parking lot just south of the Ripple Creek Pass summit. The Pagoda trail heads northwest out of the parking area. It stays mainly in open parks with short stretches through mixed dead spruce and spruce-fir forests. The mostly hard packed ATV trail has some technical "rock garden" sections and creek crossings. To the north, Pagoda Peak rises 11,120 feet, getting it's name from it's unusual shape. After 5 miles of rolling hills and overall elevation drop, the double track takes you into a large open park with the junction of Snell Creek trail at the southwest end. The junction is not marked as of this writing. Continue to follow the snowmobile markers (on posts), that run along the left edge of the park. Following the signposts, you will find the trail becomes singletrack to the left of Snell Creek. The first of several ankle deep stream crossings is just a few hundred yards down the trail. Snell creek trails is a fast single track trail punctuated by technical rock sections. The trail winds in and out of open parks, aspen, spruce-fir and lodgepole pine stands giving you breath taking views of the valley you are descending into, eventually dropping you back to your vehicle along County Road 8. Directions from Meeker: Take State Highway 13 east out of Meeker for one mile; turn right on County Road 8 for 37.2 miles. Snell Creek trailhead is marked by a sign reading "Pagoda Lake 6 miles" and "Pagoda Peak 6 1/2 miles". The parking area is .2 miles west (before) the trailhead on the right side of the road outside of the stock corral. Follow the directions posted on the sign as the corral is in use during certain parts of the season. From there continue up County Road 8 for another 6.5 miles to the Pagoda trailhead on the west side of the road 4/10 mile from the summit of Ripple Creek Pass. Parking is available at Pagoda trailhead for those who want to use a car shuttle to avoid riding up the mountain. Seasonal Information: Normally Accessible: Mid-June through August (NOTE: This loop is open to motorized travel between June 15th and August 31st.) .
