The Telegraph Trail flows through the mossy forest floor and traces an old telegraph line, with the ceramic insulators still fixed to many of the trees. The trail ends with a scenic bench at Wilson Creek.
Distance, round trip: 10.6 km
Elevation: +200 m
Season: mid-April to late-November
Difficulty:
EasyTrailhead & Driving Directions
From New Denver, head 6 km North on Highway 6 and then turn right onto West Wilson Creek Road. Reset your odometer and immediately stay left as the road turns into West Wilson Creek FSR.
At 2 km, ignore the right spur road and at 3.1 km ignore another right spur road. At 3.4 km, turn right into the signed “Telegraph” spur road and park 0.1 km later in the wide parking area. The road is a bit rough, but generally suitable for 2WD low clearance vehicles.
Look for the unsigned trail taking off at the north end of the parking area and follow it.
Down the trail
The Telegraph Trail descends over soft, loamy switchbacks. Loose about 100 m of elevation on the first descent and ignore the side trail at 0.2 km (stay left). At the bottom of the hill at 0.7 km, ignore another side trail and stay left again. Now the trail traverses at a level grade.
You’re surrounded by trees and a mossy forest floor. The trail is nicely shaded.
Telegraph Line
Watch for ceramic insulators fixed to trees during this straight stretch of trail. The telegraph line ran pre 1900s and the insulators are about 10 ft up at regular intervals.
At 2.5 km, stay straight on the main trail at another junction. A side mountain bike trail comes and goes in the forest and causes some confusion. At 3.5 km, the trail switches down to cross a prominent gully with a little waterfall coming down the slope.
Rest Spot
At 4 km reach a prominent junction. The left fork goes up to meet another old road and can be a second access point for hikers. The right fork descends to Wilson Creek – go right and descend. The trail crosses a creek and then begins to follow an overgrown road. At 4.9 km, reach another junction and go right to reach the end of the trail at 5.3 km.
The trail ends with a scenic viewpoint over Wilson Creek. A bench looks out on an interesting feature where the creek cascades over a series of rocks.
Retrace your steps to head back, being careful to stay on the main trail at junctions.
