Chewuch Trail #510

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall

This trail starts from the Thirtymile Trailhead on the Chewuch Trail. The trail follows along the Chewuch River for 18 gentle miles. The route is almost always beautiful, and depending on the time of the year, the aspens might be in peak color, with their gold and yellow leaves contrasting starkly with the openness of the terrain. That openness is a result of a forest fire.

Along the first portion of the trail there are a number of places to camp, one of which is by Chewuch Falls. If your destination is further along the way, the Falls are a great stop for lunch. We saw a few campers there on the way back. There are also a couple of horse camps off the trail but I wouldn't recommend them. Near the intersection of the Tungsten Trail, there is a horse camp which is a good place to stop for lunch or snacks. At this point you can merge on the Tungsten Trail or continue on the Chewuch.

Once you reach the end of the trail, you'll have the option to complete various loops, or head back the way that you came. Be aware that it is a long haul back to the Thirtymile Trailhead, so you may want to break this up over multiple days. You could stop at one of the stops mentioned above in the first part of the trail or camp at Four Point Lake which is off the Coleman Ridge Trail. Since you are in a river valley surrounded by mountains the camp options are limited.

Portions of this part of the trail are littered with rocks that makes navigation less than fun, especially on the downhill, and tough on the feet. This is also a popular horse trail for hunters so be prepared for that during hunting season.

The reverse portion of the trail for the Tungsten Trail intersection back to Thirtymile Trailhead offers you some different views from the journey out. Take time to look at the falls on the way back if you didn't do it on the way up.