The Cliff Lake Trail starts out 100 yards or so before you reach Spring Cave, angling back to the northwest. You climb quickly to a sagebrush covered bench and follow it for 1/4 mile before starting up through stands of timber alternating between spruce fir and aspen. The trail continues about 3 miles through this same type of terrain until reaching Cliff Lake. Occasional views of South Fork Canyon to the east are visible. The Cliff Lake Trail is also accessible via Forest Road 601 off of the Buford-New Castle Road (FDR 245).
 

Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Use: Heavy
Length: 3.5 miles
Elevation: Starts 7,944 feet and ends 9,819 feet (highest point 9,819 feet)
Elevation Gain: +1,960 feet – 85 feet = +1,875 feet
Open To: HIKING, HORSEBACK RIDING
 

Access:
• The Cliff Lake Trail is located 29 miles east of Meeker.
• From Meeker, take State Highway 13 east for 1 mile.
• Where Highway 13 turns north, turn east on Rio Blanco County Road 8 for 18 miles.
• Turn south on Rio Blanco County Road 10 for 2 miles, jog north for 1/4 mile, then east for 10 miles
to the South Fork Campground and trailhead.• Take the Spring Cave Trail for about 1/2 mile to where the Cliff Lake Trail branches to the south.

 Important Information:
 

• THIS TRAIL IS USED FOR MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES INCLUDING HIKING AND HORSEBACK RIDING.
PLEASE RESPECT OTHER USERS.
• DOMESTIC CATTLE MAY BE GRAZING IN THE AREA.