Camping at Capitol Creek and West Snowmass Trailheads?

[Scott P]

Does anyone know if camping at the Capitol Creek or West Snowmass Creek Trailheads is legal or if there are any good car campsites there? I need the information for the new SP page (old maintainter is gone). I want to make sure the information on the SP page is 100% accurate.

I've been to Capitol Creek twice, but the first time was when everything was still snow covered and the second time we drove from here in the morning. I've only been to West Snowmass in winter.

Thanks.

[JTOlson26]

From what i can remember of the Snowmass Creek trailhead, the parking area and the first mile or so has no good camping. I think most of the first couple of miles is on private property. Once you cross the creek for the first time, there is a huge meadow (and at the end is where any significant elevation gain really begins) which would be conducive for camping, but i am not sure if this is still on private property, thus i'm not sure if it is legal. In short, i don't remember any really good spots to camp right at the trailhead or close to it. That was a few years ago, so someone please correct me if i am mistaken.

[schrund]

I camped at both trailheads last summer. At Snowmass it's probably not "officially" allowed but I've stayed in the back of my vehicle more than once with no problems. At Capitol I set up a cot and even had a campfire and nobody said a word. I suspect it's not an "official" camping area either but nobody seemed to care.

[Scott P]

Thank you for the information.

[Cthulhu 2008]

Are there any updates in the past couple of years regarding trailhead camping at Capitol and Snowmass creeks? Hoping to revisit the Elks this weekend.

[Gene913]

Bumping this thread in hopes of getting updated info on camping at the Capitol Creek trailhead.
Will not be headed there until summer 2015, but am trying to plan an itinerary for my last 6 14ers.
Capitol and N. Maroon are the 2 remaining peaks in the Elks.
Will likely want to spend the nite at the Capitol Creek trailhead before backpacking the 6 or so miles into Capitol Lake.
Any and all insights welcomed and appreciated.

[myfeetrock]

Three summers ago I saw a few tents just before the parking area on the south side of the road. Two summers ago I saw some tents to the north of the parking area close to the ditch trailhead. I don't remember any signs that said no camping.

[cheeseburglar]

You can camp at either and it should be allowed forever unless a crazy person takes over the forest service! You should bring your own water to the Capitol trailhead unless you want to filter water out of a ditch full of cow excrement.

[Gene913]

You should bring your own water to the Capitol trailhead.

Good call.

Thanks to both of you for the info. Much appreciated.

[Jim Davies]

When we were at Capitol Creek in September, there were lots of hunters camped at and before the TH. The road gets steeper and rougher about half a mile before the end, in case you don't have a high-clearance vehicle. If you can't drive to the end, you might be able to park at the horse-trailer lot mentioned in the TH description. The road is great up to the last mile, probably due to the expensive houses there.

[Gene913]

When we were at Capitol Creek in September, there were lots of hunters camped at and before the TH.

Good to know. Thank you.

Will most likely arrive at the TH after either a long drive from KC or after hiking out from Crater Lake. Spending the nite at the TH makes sense either way.