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Meet Your Forest: Pick up a Dillon Ranger District Recreation Guide

Suzanne Reed, a Friends of the Dillon Ranger District volunteer Ranger Patroller, left, shows a copy of the Ranger District's Recreation Guide to a hiker in Mayflower Gulch.
Courtesy of Suzanne Reed |

Suzanne Reed, Friends of the Dillon Ranger District board member and longtime Summit County resident, said though there are many trails to choose from in our area, one of her favorites that she often recommends is Acorn Creek.

“With stunning views of the Gore Range, a diverse landscape and suitable for most hiking abilities, this trail has it all,” she said. “One of the best times to enjoy is winter on snowshoes. Passing under the snow-laden pines emerging into the pure white meadows and looking back at the snow-covered Gore Range against a Colorado blue sky is one of my favorite Colorado vistas.

“A June hike offers fields of blue penstemon and yellow arrow leaf balsam root. I avoid the fall hunting season, as this is a favorite location for bow and rifle hunters.”



To find the Acorn Creek trail from Interstate 70, take Exit 205, Silverthorne/Dillon, and travel north on state Highway 9 for approximately 10.6 miles just after crossing the Blue River. Turn right at County Road 2400 (Ute Park Road), and travel approximately 0.4 miles to a fork in the road. Turn right onto County Road 2402 (Rodeo Drive), and travel approximately 0.6 miles to the trailhead.

Get the guide



Acorn Creek is one of the trails listed in the Dillon Ranger District Recreation Guide, a quick, current and comprehensive look at Summit County’s outdoor activities. The rec guide provides fire, safety, winter sports, camping and hiking information at a glance.

The centerfold is an up-to-date map of the county with trailhead locations and a flower and animal identification section of the most commonly found species. The guide is a free service to the visitor that shows the many wonders of Summit County and the White River National Forest. Also included are safety tips and information that prepare visitors for a spectacular experience.

For the past five years, Friends of the Dillon Ranger District has printed 20,000 copies of the guide each year. The copies are available at these locations:

• The Dillon Ranger District & FDRD offices (any time of day outside the ranger district building and inside during office hours)

• Frisco Farmer’s Market (100 copies per week distributed)

• Our 60 ranger patrols carry copies to give to hikers

• Retail outlets in Summit County and Denver

• Ski and recreational resorts

Users agree that the guide is an important addition to their Summit County fun and have made the following comments about this resource:

• “The guide was super helpful and gave us ideas as to what to do here in Summit County.”

• “We are longtime visitors, and we pick one up every year.”

• “Most of our customers end up there to play.” — REI Denver

• “Great center fold, flowers, animals and the current map of Summit!”

The Dillon Ranger District Recreation Guide is a great way for you to revisit old trails or find new favorites. Stop by the Ranger District store for information and a free Recreation Guide to find out more ways to play in your White River National Forest.

Jasmine Hupcey is the office and volunteer manager for Friends of the Dillon Ranger District. She can be reached at jasmine@fdrd.org. For more information on the organization and volunteer opportunities, visit http://www.fdrd.org.


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