Hike on Dirt Road/Trail Combo to Polar Star Inn & Seipel Hut from West Lake Creek Trailhead

Total Mileage

8.5

Trailhead Elevation

8,220'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

3,452'

Route

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Route Description

There are many old roads in the area and navigation can be challenging. Please use an appropriate topographic map.

Park at the West Lake Creek winter trailhead and start your hike, or if you have a suitable vehicle, driver and conditions – continue driving to the Baryeta Cabins and hike Forest Service Trail #1876 from there.

Once on Forest Service Trail #1876 (aka the New York Mountain Trail) hike until you reach the upper New York Mountain trailhead (accessible with a 4-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle at the top of Forest Service Road #418). Instead of continuing on the trail towards New York Mountain, Polar Star Inn guests should now hike on Road #418 for a short distance until they get to the hut’s parking and closure gate. Just past the gate is a trail that leads to Polar Star Inn and the Seipel Hut.

Trailhead Directions

From the I-70 Edwards exit (#163), travel south 1/2 mile to Highway 6. Drive W on Highway 6 for .7 miles to Lake Creek Road. Turn S (left) and drive 1.7 miles to West Lake Creek Road junction. Turn right and continue 1.5 miles to the end of the pavement and another 1.1 miles to the parking area at switchback. You can begin hiking on the road at this parking location, or continue driving the increasingly rough road another 3.2 miles until you reach the Baryeta Cabins site.

Lodging

Transportation