From South Fork take Highway 160 to Del Norte. At Del Norte go south on Road #13 (San Francisco Creek), exit sign is by car wash at east end of town. Go 9 miles on this road. Trailhead is on the left at the creek, just past the animal rehab center. To begin the hike cross the creek on the foot bridge. This is a gentle, easy hike along the creek. Go as far as you want or as long as you like and return on the same trail.

From South Fork go west on Highway 160 to the Big Meadows access road, FDR #410, then for 1 1/2 miles to Big Meadows. Park at the boat dock area. The trailhead is next to the toilets. The trail goes around the lake. At the upper end of the lake, Archuleta Trail continues toward the west, but you want to turn left and continue around the lake. Come back over the spillway to return to your car. This is a good, easy, fairly short hike.

From South Fork go 1 mile east to the Willow Park road, #345. Take #345 to junction of #345-2B. Follow #345-2B to the ATV trail#89. Follow the ATV trail for 1 1/2 miles till you can take a hard right hand turn; at this point go straight and follow the closed road until you see the saddle next to Del Norte Peak. Bushwhack up to the saddle and climb to the top using game trails on the right hand side of the peak. Sign the register (in a jar) and return the same way you came. Demanding hike up to 12,400 ft. elevation.

Go west of South Fork on Highway 160 to Pass Creek Road (Tucker Ponds) FDR #390. Take FDR #390 to the junction of #388. Take #388 to the end of the end of the road, where you will park. Trail begins above the road on the right. Follow the trail 1/2 mile to the top of the pass where it intersects with Continental Divide Trail #813. Go right on the CDT for about 3 miles to Silver Pass Trail sign. Bushwhack to the right (north) about 1/4 mile to the road. Hike up the road to reach cars; or spot a car at the hairpin turn at Silver Pass, saving yourself about a mile walk. This is a beautiful hike, especially in the fall with the changing Aspen.

Leave South Fork on Highway 149 and cross the River Bridge and take an immediate right on Co.Rd. #15, go 1 1/2 miles east to Alder Creek Road, FDR #610. Follow #610 north about 3 miles, past the guard station; at a hairpin turn to the left go straight, don't turn and you will see the Trailhead. This is a nice hike, which crosses the creek 13 times. About 4 miles up you will find an abandoned cabin on the right and an old saw mill site in the center area.

East of South Fork about 6 miles turn left at sign, cross the river to County Road #15, turn right on CR #15 for 1/2 mile , then go north (left) on FDR #650 and follow the sign to Cathedral Campground on FDR #640. Follow #640 to the end of the road. The Trailhead is by a private gate. Nice trail through Spruce, Aspen and by a creek with lots of beaver activity and good fishing.

From South Fork travel 1 mile west on Highway 160; then go 6 miles on the Beaver Creek Road to the Trailhead. The Trailhead is just past Cross Creek Campground. A short hike, 1/2 mile, will take you to the largest tree ever found on the Rio Grande National Forest. Huge Douglas Fir is over 66 inches in diameter or 207 inches around the tree.

Go east of South Fork to Willow Creek Road, FDR #345, follow #345 past FDR #340 for about 2 miles to a locked gate on the right hand side of the road. Park at the gate. Follow the old logging road for approximately 1 mile, through the burn area, to a stump (on the left) with rocks piled on it; you will also see a fire lane built in the summer of 2002. Go up the hill and follow the fire lane for about 3/4 of a mile and then follow the blazed tree trail signs for another 1/4 mile to the lake. For a scenic view, come back from the lake for about 200 yards and then go up the hill to the left and up to the top of the rocks.

Leave South Fork on Highway 149 across the River Road County Road #15. Go 3 miles to Bear Creek Road, FDR #614. Follow FDR #614 for 3 miles, at the 2nd creek crossing park on the old road to the left. Hike up 1/2 miles to a spring coming out of a rock (left). For a longer hike go back down the road to a hairpin turn and go east into a meadow. Then go uphill 400 yards to an old logging road, go left (west) across the side of the hill into east Alder.

Leave South Fork on Highway #149, go until you cross the River Road County Road #15. Go 3 miles to Bear Creek Road, FDR #614. Follow FDR #614 to the end of the road. Trailhead is by a large rock. This hike goes through nice Aspen groves. Go 1 1/2 miles, coming out of the Aspen to see the creek and old abandoned beaver dams. Cross the creek (right) to find an old wagon road. Follow this road back down the creek 1/4 mile. The 1st cabin is on the left, up the canyon, continue on the wagon road to other cabins. For a longer hike return to the original trail and continue up the trail.

From South Fork travel east on Highway 160 to Del Norte for 17 miles. Turn left (north) on Colorado #112 and continue to County Road #33, which turns into #38A, and go for approximately 12 miles. Look for a well marked sign for the Penitente Canyon turn off on the west side of the road. Follow a dirt road another mile to the parking area and campground. Penitente Canyon is a renowned climbing area with many bolted routes for the beginner as well as the advanced climber. It has great campsites, various hiking and biking trails and areas for horse riding. Even if you are not a rock climber the Penitente Canyon area offers a wide variety of activities and views.