Warm Springs Creek Road (FA 163) w/Cow Camp Road (FS1234)

Trail Overview

Warm Springs Creek Road takes you from the Gravelly Range ridgeline to Continental Divide/Upper Ruby Road. Assuming you start on the upper ridge along Gravelly Range Road, you go down the road looking back on the area you just traveled if you came up from FS 237 to Gravelly Ridge Road. This offers a very different and beautiful view. As you transition down, you will get back into the trees along each side of the road, offering surprises when you break out and have the well-known 100-mile views of the Big Sky Country. Near the bottom, you will encounter an intersection with a trail to the right. This is Cow Camp Road and it simply goes back approximately 1.5 miles along a somewhat rough two-track trail. There are some views but nothing different from what you can see from the intersection. There are gates and some work buildings near the end. As you continue down to the valley floor, you will encounter a restroom. Behind the restroom is a wonderful area to eat lunch. More importantly, walk back and take a look at Warm Springs Creek. Note the size and flow. After departing the area toward FS 100 keep an eye on the creek. You will see it is growing very quickly. Shortly you will encounter springs along the uphill side of the road with beautiful small ponds and culverts taking the water under the road to the creek. Within just a couple miles, the little meandering brook you saw initially will be a rapidly flowing large stream of water all fed from springs. Near the intersection you will see beautiful meadows and, if you're lucky, some wildlife. FS 163 is approximately 1.5 lanes wide and well-maintained. Most pickups and SUVs should have little trouble as long as they stay on the main road and do not take side trails. There is local traffic so be careful going around curves; some of them travel at a higher speed than is prudent. This area closes early with snow and opens later in the year (early summer). The area above the Cow Camp intersection is closed from April 30 - June 30 for elk calving.

Photos of Warm Springs Creek Road (FA 163) w/Cow Camp Road (FS1234)

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Difficulty

FS 163 is approximately 1.5 lanes wide and well-maintained. Most pickups and SUVs should have little trouble as long as they stay on the main road and do not take side trails. There is local traffic so be careful going around curves; some of them travel at a higher speed than is prudent.

Technical Rating