Carson National Forest
East Fork Trail #56

Questa Ranger District

Elevations:

• Trail Beginning: 9,600 ft
• Trail End: 11,400 ft

To get here, head north from Taos on State Road 522. At the traffic light in Questa, turn right on State Road 38. Go east through Red River. At the fork on the east side of Red River, turn right on State Road 58. Go about 6 miles to the end of the pavement. Cross the bridge, turn right and follow the dirt road to its' end at the trailhead. This dirt road will make you wish you came in a high clearance vehicle.

About 1 mile into the trail, the Sawmill Park Trail 55 separates. Then the East Fork Trail crosses the Big Ditch, a 41-mile construction used to transport water over to the gold mines in Moreno Valley back in the late 1800's. The trail follows the East Fork of the Red River for about 2.5 miles, then crosses a wooden foot bridge and begins a moderate ascent through old-growth spruce and firs. There are three more wooden foot bridges in this section, crossing other tributaries of the East Fork. Eventually, the trail intersects with Lost Lake Trail 91 at about 11,400 feet. Lost Lake Trail passes Lost Lake and then ascends another mile to end at Horseshoe Lake, right below Mt. Walter.

The East Fork Trail is about 5.2 miles long, each way. Most of the trail is rated moderate and recommended for families. At the higher end of the trail, snow drifts are common into June.

Rating: Intermediate

USGS Quads:Wheeler Peak, Eagle Nest