I Had No Idea How Incredible This Part of Colorado Is! Creede Colorado - Wheeler Geologic Area

Hi, I'm Rodney from More Dirt More Distance. I spent a long weekend exploring the trails and scenery around Creede Colorado, chasing a rare geological formation, testing gear, and generally getting away from city life. In this write-up I’ll walk you through how to get to the Wheeler Geologic Area, trail conditions, campsite lessons, wildlife highlights, a side trip to Phoenix Park Waterfall, and the gear I used — so you can plan your own Creede Colorado adventure with confidence.

Table of Contents

• 🗺️ Trailhead and Route Overview
• 🪨 The Wheeler Geologic Area: What It Is and What to Expect
• 🌄 Views, Wildflowers, and the Drive
• 🏕️ Campsite Choices & Lessons Learned
• 🧯 Gear Moments: Flamethrower, Chainsaw, Cameras
• 🦌 Wildlife Encounters
• 💧 Phoenix Park Waterfall: A Nearby Day Hike
• 🔧 Final Recommendations & Tips
• ❓ FAQ
• ✅ Final Thoughts

🗺️ Trailhead and Route Overview

To reach the Wheeler Geologic Area you take Pool Table Road roughly 7 miles outside the town of Creede Colorado. Pool Table Road stretches about 24 miles; the first 10 miles are a well-maintained Forest Service road with plenty of dispersed campsites and access to other trails. Past the rest stop the road turns into a single-track moderate trail — expect narrow sections, ruts, and occasional mud holes early in the season.

🪨 The Wheeler Geologic Area: What It Is and What to Expect

Wheeler is a highly eroded outcropping of volcanic ash from the eruption of the La Garita Caldera about 25 million years ago. It was briefly designated Colorado’s first national monument by Theodore Roosevelt in 1908, later redesignated as wilderness because access is so remote. When you reach the viewpoint you get dramatic, moonlike rock formations that are easier to appreciate if you hike the short-but-steep approach.

Pro tip: the viewpoint ends up being a steeper walk and farther away than photographs suggest. If you're traveling with a group, make sure everyone is up for the hike — I had to decide whether to hike alone or have the group wait while I explored.

🌄 Views, Wildflowers, and the Drive

Once you clear the tree line the landscape opens up. There are sweeping views and fields of wildflowers that reminded me of the Flat Tops Wilderness. On clear summer mornings you can see for miles — perfect for photos and letting the Jeep cool down after the single-track sections.

🏕️ Campsite Choices & Lessons Learned

I initially chose a campsite that looked close on the map and accessible for a family towing a side-by-side. In practice, a section of the loop was narrower and rockier than expected. The Gladiator and the OP4 trailer handled it fine, but the trail's popularity (lots of side-by-sides and ATVs) and the tight line made towing impractical. We packed up the next day and moved to a large, easy-access site.

Lesson: if you're towing, pick a campsite on the main Forest Service road or double-check recent trail reports for narrow loops. Convenience into town matters — the route into Creede should be simple if you want to pop down for supplies or local events.

🧯 Gear Moments: Flamethrower, Chainsaw, Cameras

Guilty pleasure moment: I tried a flamethrower I ordered online for quick fire starts — “That’s the only way I’m starting fires from now on.” It was surprisingly effective (and fun).

We also tested a compact chainsaw to clear some fallen timber on a different trail. It's a small, easy-to-handle model — great for clearing already-fallen trees on a group run, but not a replacement for a full prosumer tool if you're doing heavy work.

For nightscapes I tested the X5 camera on a Power Bank handle to record all night and captured a solid Milky Way frame — a real treat because there’s so little light pollution near Creede Colorado.

🦌 Wildlife Encounters

I keep an eye out for bears, mountain lions, and moose. As I said to myself, "This looks like moose country." — and we found two young moose on the trail, and another curious one came close to our campsite one morning. Respectful distance and patience reward you in this area.

💧 Phoenix Park Waterfall: A Nearby Day Hike

We added a day trip to Phoenix Park Waterfall. Access is via East Willow Road, which has narrow sections with loose rocks and exposed views. The full trail is a little over 2 miles and rated toward the difficult side because of the narrow, rocky tread and large loose rocks — but the waterfall payoff is worth it.

Expect hikers on the approach; the trail is popular. Driving requires attention, but the combination of waterfall and forest views is an excellent contrast to the stark Wheeler formations.

🔧 Final Recommendations & Tips

• Plan routes with towing in mind — some loops are narrow and rocky.
• Go after late spring snowmelt to avoid deep mud holes; July is usually dry.
• Bring a chainsaw or hand tools only if you're comfortable and intend to clear fallen timber; a small saw works for light cleanup.
• Respect wildlife: keep distance and don’t feed animals.
• Night sky? Bring a tripod and a camera with long-exposure capability — the Milky Way is visible and spectacular.

❓ FAQ

How do I get to the Wheeler Geologic Area from Creede Colorado?

Take Pool Table Road about 7 miles out of Creede Colorado. Drive the maintained Forest Service road for roughly 10 miles, then continue on the single-track section that leads to the trail access and rest area.

Is the Wheeler Geologic Area hike difficult?

The approach to the formations is a short but steep hike from the parking area. The vehicle access road is rated moderate with some single-track sections. Prepare for rocky tread and possible mud earlier in the season.

Can I tow a trailer to the campsites near Wheeler?

Some campsites are accessible, but several are on narrow, rocky loops where towing becomes impractical. If you're towing, pick a site on the main Forest Service stretch or confirm accessibility ahead of time.

What wildlife might I see near Creede Colorado?

Moose, deer, black bears, and other mountain wildlife are present. We saw young moose and one that approached the campsite. Always keep a safe distance and store food properly.

When is the best time to visit for dry trails?

Late June through September usually offers dry conditions. Early season (spring) can leave large mud holes and ruts that make parts of the trail challenging.

✅ Final Thoughts

Creede Colorado surprised me with diverse terrain: wildflower meadows, lunar-like geology at Wheeler, accessible dispersed campsites, and a rewarding waterfall hike nearby. Whether you’re rolling in a Jeep Gladiator or hiking with a daypack, this area delivers variety and solitude — with the occasional lively ATV traffic to keep things interesting. I’ll be back.

Want to explore more hiking and trail routes in Colorado? Pack smart, check recent trail reports, and enjoy the views around Creede Colorado.