BPX 4-Day: Chinese Wall/Devils Causeway Loop from Stillwater Reservoir

Suggested Backpacking Section (BPX) itinerary for 4-day trip to be used for CMC trips led by BPX leaders for BPX members.

Day 1. From the trailhead at Stillwater Reservoir, Hike on the East Fork Trail (#1119) to the junction with the Lost Lakes Trail (#1116) and Round Lake.  Establish camp near the lake. (7 miles/2000’).

The camping spots are easy enough to find. There are numerous sites on the North side and West sides of Causeway Lake. We decided to camp there rather than Round Lake. There is a small waterfall on the SW side of the lake for fresher water.  For Day 2, there are sites on the South End and west end of West Lost lake. The Forest Service has closed down one that was overused and too close the South end of the lake. West Lost Lake looked moderately to heavily used in the past. I would recommend avoiding it in July. There is also a nice campsite above Little Causeway Lake that could work if you were late getting into the area on Day 1. You either have to downclimb 200ft to the Lake for water or find the spring west of the campsite that pops out from the ridge forming the Causeway and drains into the lake.

Day 2. Hike west on the Lost Lakes Trail (#1116) and the West Lost Lake Trail (#1103) to West Lost Lake and establish camp near the lake. (6 miles/1500’)

Day 3. Hike on the West Lost Lake Trail and then Southeast on the Chinese Wall Trail (#1803) to the junction with the Devils Causeway Trail and establish camp somewhere nearby.  Day hike the short distance out to the causeway to see if the group wants to cross the causeway on Day 4 for a considerable short cut back to the trailhead. It is very much worth seeing in any case. (7 miles/1500’).

Day 4. Continue south on the Chinese Wall Trail to the Bear River Trail (#1120) and hike northeast on that trail to the trailhead. (6 miles/0’).

Overall Route

General Requirements: The crossing the Devil’s Causeway is a scary prospect.  Leaders should be careful not force people to make that crossing.  The alternative route continuing on the Chinese Wall Trail is very scenic. However, viewing the causeway is very worthwhile.

A Wednesday or Thursday start would be best in peak season due to parking fulling up on weekend mornings. In late August or September you could get there Friday late morning and be fine. Much lower bug pressure after 2nd week of August.

Trailhead access via FR 9 is a gravel road some of which can be very wash boarded requiring slow speeds but any vehicle could get to TH. It is regularly maintained and level. Trailhead Parking is large but very popular area on late summer weekends so you might have to park farther down the road from Stillwater Reservoir.

Alternatives:  In 2020 this trip was managed as a 3 day trip.  Hiking miles - 23, elevation gain 5200’.  No extra days for travel or for fishing/relaxing in camp. 4 days may be more appropriate for a moderate group.

If trip is managed as a 3 day trip, then side trips can be Round Lake, East Lost Lake and West Lost Lake.

There are not many water opportunities once you are on top of the Chinese Wall so be certain you have sufficient water starting up.

Running trip as 3 days resulted in 8.5 miles on last day of trip.

Possible third night stop would be at small lakes west of the Chinese Wall Trail approximately abeam Lost Lakes Peak. This is 3 ½ miles past West Lost Lake and most of the elevation gain on return leg. The two small lake shown are ¼ mile off the trail and 150 loss of elevation. Other hikers said larger lake was a very nice lake with clear water. At least in early September of 2020 there was no other water to be found on the plateau and the small ponds nearer the Devils Causeway were dry. So these lakes might provide a good way to break up the long hike along the Chinese Wall with an overnight but not having to dry camp.

• Suitable Activities: Backpacking
• Seasons: July, August, September
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Challenging
• Length: 26.0 None
• Elevation Gain: 5,000 ft
• High Point: 11,802 ft

• Land Manager: U.S. Forest Service
  Flat Tops Wilderness Area, Yampa Ranger District (RNF)
• Parking Permit Required: USFS Permits & Passes
• Recommended Party Size: 6
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12