Colt Creek Trailhead Put-In

The Forest Service Colt Creek Trailhead is located where Forest Road 359 terminates at the river. From the take-out bridge, head left towards Elk Summit on Forest Road 111. In 5.4 miles from Highway 12 you will reach a junction where you will turn right onto Forest Road 360 continuing on up towards Elk Summit. At mile 8.4 you will reach Savage Pass, the highest point on the shuttle drive at 6168' (this may be snowed in through late June in heavy snow years). At this point you will be headed back downhill and at 11.1 miles from Highway 12 you will reach the turn off for Forest Road 359 which is the road to the Colt Creek Trailhead. Turn left onto this road and wind your way 5.4 miles down to the river. The road ends at the trail bridge crossing White Sand Creek which is the put-in. Forest Road 359 is steep and prone to washouts so you may not be able to drive all the way down to the river. When you can it typically requires a high-clearance vehicle. Another option, popular with packrafters, is to skip the drive and hike up Forest Service trail 50 that parallels river right the whole way.