Carroll Creek-Fairy Creek-Fairy Lake-Shafthouse Lollipop – 13.75 miles

Overview: Like the Shafthouse 12.5 mile loop also listed on this website, this trail starts on Seitz Rd in Sedan, and proceeds onto Carroll Creek, but then, instead of going up Fairy Lake Road it crosses the road onto Fairy Creek Trail, past Fairy Lake, through the parking area, onto Fairy Lake Road Briefly, then onto Shafthouse and back to Carrol Creek. It’s a nice option that cuts off most of Fairy Lake Road. Climbs to huge views of Bridger Canyon to the Crazy Mountains. The trail includes a small section of boardwalk, lots of nice single track, a section of Forest Service Road (Carroll Creek), and a couple miles of the Fairy Lake Rd. (vehicle traffic). A side trip to Fairy Lake could easily be added.

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Map:. Click on the trail name below to access map. Map can be viewed full screen and satellite view is available.

Distance: Approximately 13.75 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,897 ft

Technicality: Somewhat technical and steep single track after leaving Fairy Creek Rd. Can be windy on the ridge.

Difficulty: Moderate. Includes crossing a long boardwalk, some sections of fairly steep and rocky single track (ascending and descending).

Parking: Paved Bridger Canyon and then a couple miles on gravel road Seitz Rd to trailhead. Room for several rigs depending on other users. Room to back out of parking spots. We only encountered one other trailer and one vehicle full of bikes on this day.

Shared Use: Fairy Lake is an extremely popular place to visit. We did not encounter anyone on this ride but during more popular times, expect hikers and bikers on Carroll Creek Rd and where you return to the single track from Fairy Lake Rd. This section is somewhat steep, rocky and narrow so make sure your horse is OK with crowds and kids. Encountering bikes on the descent back to the trailhead could be a bit troublesome in some areas but no real dangerous dropoffs, just some section of narrow trail. Most areas offer opportunities to pass.

Facilities: Outhouse at the parking lot after leaving Fairy Lake

Directions:

Trail Navigation:
– Head roughly west from the trailhead, up and down a small hill, past an old farmstead.
– At about .5 miles cross a long boardwalk through a swampy area (don’t fall off the boardwalk, it would be a bad situation :).
– At approximately 1 mile the trail turns left (south) winding through trees, heading mostly south. Southwest in some sections.
– At approximately 2 miles veer left onto Carroll Creek Rd (dirt road) heading roughly southwest. The road is good footing.
– At approximately 4.7 miles cross Fairy Lake Rd onto Fairy Creek Trail
– Follow
– At approximately 7 miles you will reach Fairy Lake. Head right starting counter clockwise on the trail that circles the lake edge. Watch for signs for the parking area. Don’t take the “shortcut” as that goes up steps. Head through the parking area and onto Fairy Lake Rd.
– At approximately 8 miles turn left onto the Shafthouse trail.
– Follow the trail all the way back onto to Carroll Creek Rd at about 11.5 miles.
– Cross Carrol Creek Road onto the “lollipop stick” you came in on and follow back to the trailhead for 13.75 miles total.

Water: There is a creek near the homestead and some water along Carroll Creek Rd but both are early in the ride and the water along Carroll Creek Rd is little hard for the horses to get to. Bring a collapsible bowl if you want to access this.

Season: Area of much snow with a very short riding season.

Timing: 4 hours 25 minutes with some trotting and cantering on Carroll Creek Rd, and walking the rest. Brief stop at the lake.

Notables: Shoes/boots strongly recommended, some extended sections of sharp rocks. One spot with creek water along Carroll Creek Rd. Water at Fairy Creek and at the lake. No water once leaving the lake.

Hazards: Bring a saw. We encountered a tree down on Fairy Creek trail.

Photos: None

Videos: 

Views:  Tremendous views from the Summit looking East towards the Crazies and South