Directions:

From Hwy 50 11.5 miles east of Gunnison, head north on Quartz Creek Road (76) towards Ohio City.  At Ohio City turn left to again go north on Gold Creek Road. Gold Creek Road is generally a good dirt road that should be ok for most vehicles, in good conditions. The campground is 6.5 miles up the road, the last mile or so gets narrow and a bit rocky with potholes to navigate.

Hike Description:

The Fossil Ridge Wilderness is a hidden gem tucked away in the Gunnison National Forest in the southern end of the Sawatch Mountains. The southern part of the wilderness area is easily accessed by Gold Creek Road which leads to the Gold Creek Campground and the trailhead for two wonderful hikes. The Mill Lake Trail is the shorter but more difficult hike. The other lake hike is Lamphier Lake which gains 1,600 feet over three miles, Mill Lake gains almost the same elevation (1,400 ft) but it does it in two miles instead of three. 

If you’ve read my description for Lamphier Lakes you’ll know that I hiked up to Mill Lake, late in the day after the storms, mostly, passed through the area. My legs were already tired from the 6.5 mi rainy adventure to Lamphier Lakes so the steep and steadily incline up the Mill Lake Trail was difficult. This trail is not exactly hard, it’s just a steady incline up a rocky trail. It’s a beautiful hike but it lacks vast views of the surrounding mountains, instead you get a more intimate experience immersed in a rich forest. The trail is well maintained as it switchbacks up the steep gulch and crosses multiple cascades and springs making the trail almost like a creek in some areas. Mill Lake at the end of the hike is dramatic, peaceful, and satisfying.  

The hike starts from the first parking area, near the Gold Creek Campground. For the first quarter mile you follow the Fossil Ridge Trail which is also open to motorbikes, the trail can get a bit muddy and rutted and stay alert for fast moving motorbikes, they are loud so you should know they are coming. My advice is to grind out this part of the hike quickly and get into the Wilderness Area where motorized travel is not allowed. 

Once in the Fossil Ridge Wilderness Area, the trail gets a bit nicer and quieter.  From the wilderness boundary it’s a 1 ¾ mile climb up Mill Gulch. The trail has many switchbacks and requires a slow pace to avoid getting out of breath. This pace continues pretty much the entire way until you finally get to the forested shores of Mill Lake. 

Mill Lake is a beautiful destination and well worth the effort to get there. Nestled up against 12,700 ft Fossil Mountain, the lake is a peaceful and dramatic location. You can make your way around the lake and there are multiple good camping spots for a quick backpacking trip. I spent a nice 30 min or so just sitting with my feet in the cold alpine water in the late afternoon. It was hard to pull myself away, but I was getting hungry and eager to return to camp. The hike down is tough on the knees but easier on the lungs. 

Although I was relieved to be done with a full day of hiking, I am very glad to have made the late afternoon hike up to Mill Lake.  The Fossil Ridge Wilderness is relatively unknown and understated but worthy of repeat visits and further exploration. In addition to the Gold Creek area, there are more hikes to access in the northern portion of Wilderness, south of Taylor Park Reservoir, and I look forward to returning for future adventures.