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One of the benefits of being in the most remote county in the lower 48 with 96 percent public lands is that it takes only a few miles by foot or hoof and minutes by bicycle to leave civilization behind. Hinsdale County offers seemingly endless miles of trails, 19 public campgrounds, five fourteeners, and over 20 thirteeners. Hikers and backpackers have a vast amount of options in three National Forests, one BLM district, four national wilderness areas, and two wilderness study areas, all of which have several access points within miles of Lake City. Hinsdale County does not limit itself to just hikers. There are trails open to horses and mountain bikes in addition to hikers. Note: Trail maps are available at the Visitor Center and a number of local stores. Please remember to stay on marked trails and that mountain bikes are not allowed in wilderness areas.
Hiking & Backpacking Trails
Maps of these trails are available at the Visitor Center and at area stores. Most links take you to the BLM website (or another external source) with additional information and maps.
Alpine Gulch 6 miles -
American Basin (to Handies Peak) 3.2 miles - Impressive scenery in American Basin attracts jeepers throughout the summer. For those with 2 wheel drive vehicles, park along the side of the main road and an easy 3/4 mile walk can be made to the trailhead near the site of an old mine. From there, motorized use stops and the hiking trail climbs to Sloan Lake to offer nice views of Handies Peak and the surrounding basin. The trail to Handies Peak continues on from Sloan Lake. Please be careful to stay on the trail to avoid erosion on the fragile tundra. The peak, at 14,048 feet, offers a panoramic view of the San Juan Mountains.
Big Blue Creek 12 miles - The Big Blue Trail is a major access route to the Uncompahgre Wilderness. It begins one half mile south of Big Blue Campground at approximately 9,670 feet. The trail follows Big Blue Creek for eleven miles through Engelmann spruce forest and parks to an approximate elevation of 11,440 feet. The trail splits at this point with the left fork continuing as Big Blue Trail. It leads one and a half more miles to end at the intersections with Ridge Stock Driveway, 233. Big Blue Trail offers spectacular views of peaks over 13,000 feet. The fishing in Big Blue Creek and Slide Lake is good.
Canon Infierno 6 miles - Canon Infierno Trail, 461, provides access to Devils Lake, Cannibal Plateau and the Powderhorn Wilderness. It can be accessed from the Deer Lakes Campground or a trailhead on Forest Road 788. The trail leads along the southwestern boundary of the Powderhorn Wilderness following Brush Creek for three miles. Fishing in Brush Creek is good and it can be accessed by mountain or enduro bike as this part of the trail lies outside the wilderness boundary.
Cataract Gulch 4.1 miles - Cottonwood Creek is crossed by a bridge at the beginning of the trail. Several times along the trail, Cataract Creek will be crossed without bridges. Water levels at these points are relatively low making wading across safe and easy. The trail climbs at a moderate rate through dense stands of spruce and fir forests. Waterfalls and an old miners cabin add variety to the trip. Near timberline, the trail becomes easier but less defined. Look for the trail by continuing up the drainage and across alpine meadows scattered with beaver ponds. At the head of the drainage are several tundra lakes acting as sources for Cataract Creek. Although fish cannot usually be found in these lakes, the ever present marmot can be spotted from the trail along with ptarmigan and picas. The Continental Divide is just south of the largest lake at an elevation of 12,200 feet.
Cooper Creek 3.7 miles - An old vehicle two-track serves as the Cooper Creek Trail for the first l.5 miles to a mine that use to be private property. It has been acquired by BLM and cleaned up. In this area, the trail crosses to the east side of Cooper Creek and up the valley. The spur to reach the lake is not always clear but the drainage out of Cooper Lake is obvious and can easily be followed.
Cottonwood Creek 4.1 miles - In the first section of the trail you'll pass through aspen and spruce stands with frequent views of the surrounding cliffs. After a rain, waterfalls can be seen decorating the cliffs. Beyond Boulder Gulch, the valley opens to large willow flats dotted with beaver ponds. Vehicle and bike access ends at that point an may not continue up the road into the Handies Peak Wilderness Study Area. A good turn around spot is the Cuba Gulch Trailhead.
Crystal Lake 4 miles - The Crystal Lake Trail is an old jeep trial that has been closed to motor vehicles and is steep for most of the way to Crystal Lake. At the lake, there is an old cabin which can be used as a shelter. Past the intersection with the Larson Lakes Trail, one enters the Big Blue Wilderness.
Cuba Gulch 3.25 miles - Aspen and spruce stands are passed with frequent views of the surrounding cliffs during the first section of the trail. About 1/8 mile up the trail, a bridge has been constructed across a narrow gorge. If you lean to the right, just before crossing the bridge, you can get a spectacular view of a beautiful waterfall. Approximately 2 miles into the trail, you run into the thicket where the trail disappears. Head towards the creek to the right. The trail re-appears by the creek. The trail disappears again 1/8 to 1/4 of a mile up the creek. At this point you may wish to cross the creek and choose your own path up the tundra to the Continental Divide.
Devil's Creek 6.8 miles - From the trailhead, the trail begins on an old road, departing from and returning to the road several times during the first mile. The trail tops a mesa and rises gradually across a field of sage brush, turning north through a fence line and into the Powderhorn Wilderness at 1.5 miles. Again, the trail departs from and returns to the old road several times during the next mile, and, at 2.5 miles, passes by an old cow camp containing 2 wood structures. At the end of the road the trail dives into the trees and follows a ridge above Devil's Creek for another 2.3 miles. Breaking out of the trees, the trail is marked by cairns for the final 2 miles to Devil's Lake.
Larson Lakes 7.1 miles - Most of the Larson Lakes Trail is an old jeep road that has been closed to motorized vehicles. The trail is of moderate difficulty to Larson Lakes, but becomes difficult as it rises up to intersect with the Crystal lake Trail #235. Fishing in Larson Lakes is often good. Access to the Big Blue Wilderness is provided by the Crystal Lake Trail.
Powderhorn Lakes 4.5 miles - The first 1.5 miles of the trail climbs through a mature spruce/fire forest, emerging into a scenic meadow. The route crosses the meadow and goes back into the woods, continuing to rise and fall across several small drainages. At mile 3 the trail climbs fairly steeply and emerges in a meadow beside some beaver ponds at the West Fork of Powderhorn Creek. Here, the trail splits. Follow the right fork .25 mile further upstream to the lower lake. The trail skirts the west side of the lower lake and follows the creek for another .5 mile to the upper lake.
Powderhorn Park 6.3 miles - Park in the designated area on County Road 27, walk southwest across Mineral Creek, and cross the fence line through the gate. Please close all gates you go through along the trail. From this point to the next gate (about 1/4 Mile.), hikers are on private property. Please stay on the trail. The trail continues from the second gate, climbing steadily and .5 mile from the trailhead, it curves to the southwest around a hill on an open side slope. For another 2 miles, the trail meanders through forested and open areas. At 2 1/2 miles, the trail crosses another fence line and climbs up the Wood Gulch drainage to Powderhorn Park. Taking the right fork in the trail at this point takes the hiker north through the park to Robbers Roost where an old cabin can be found. Please do not camp or build fires within 50 ft. of this cabin. The trail can sometimes be faint through Powderhorn Park so check your map periodically to make sure you know where you are. A fork off the trail just as you climb up into Powderhorn Park will take you west on the North Calf Creek Trail toward Devil's Lake.
Wager Gulch 4.8 miles - The first l.5 miles of the trail is a steady, sometimes steep climb. Leveling out a bit, the terrain leads through open meadows and aspen stands, finally reaching Carson, 3.4 miles from the trailhead at 11,600 ft. Carson was established in 1881 with the discovery of silver and gold and abandoned in 1902. The ghost town is now privately owned. Currently, the owners allow visitors to stroll through Carson, but this privilege is dependent on how well the land and building remains are respected. From Carson, the trail climbs another 1.4 miles to the Continental Divide at 12,400 feet.
Waterdog Lake 3.8 miles - From the sewage treatment plant, walk along the road for 1/4 mile. Just before the first house you see look for a sign on the right that indicates where the trail leaves the road. Please stay on the trail for the first 1/4 mile or so as it passes through private land. Climbing steadily up the rocky hillside, the trail reaches public land near the power line. Along this first climb, turn around to catch some sights of Lake City. Continuing on public land for another mile through a large stand of aspen, the trail comes to the north end of scenic Horse Park. This area is privately owned and hikers are not allowed to travel any further south. At this point, follow the sign as the trail turns left (northeast) sharply and continues through aspen for about a mile. Most of this stretch is also private land, so please stay on the trail and respect the private land. Eventually crossing a creek, the trail joins a jeep road. Turn left and follow the road on up to Waterdog Lake.
Weminuche Pass to Continental Divide 4.5 miles
Williams Creek 7.5 miles - From the trailhead, the path leads through USFS land for .5 mile before entering BLM land. The trail crosses Williams Creek and continues up a small tributary past several ponds. After 1.8 miles, you'll join an old jeep road. Follow this road up about 100 yards, where it splits in 3 directions. Ignore the routes going up to the right and down to the left. Instead, follow the middle road going up to the left. It winds through a variety of meadows, aspen and spruce forest for another 2.5 miles until it emerges at timberline. Rock cairns mark the trail across the tundra as it climbs along the ridge for another 3 miles to the Grassy Mountain Saddle.
Trails to Fourteeners
Maps of these trails are available at the Visitor Center and at area stores.
Handies Peak (via Grizzly Gulch) 4.2 miles - rom the trailhead, follow the trail that starts behind the restroom to a bridge crossing the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. Climbing steadily, the trail passes through spruce, fir and aspen. Through this area, the trail is clearly marked and well maintained. At timberline, the trail continues up the basin then climbs the ridge to the west. Across the open tundra, the trail may not always be clearly visible, but is marked with rock cairns for hikers to follow. The trail leads straight up valley for about 3/4 mile. A sign points to a long switchback that turns to a ridge leading to Handies Peak. Be sure to look over your shoulder on the way up for some beautiful views of the Silver Creek Valley.
Redcloud & Sunshine Peaks 5.7 miles - The trail goes from the parking area, along the west side of the Silver Creek drainage for 3 miles to the head of the basin. From there the trail steepens on its way to a saddle northeast of Redcloud Peak. From the saddle the trail climbs steeply up the ridge to Redcloud. Be sure to stay on the maintained trail for easier hiking and to avoid erosion problems. At times the trail above timberline, leading through a broad tundra valley, may be faint in places so it is also marked with cairns. From Redcloud the trail continues for another mile along the ridge to Sunshine Peak.
San Luis Peak (via Stewart Creek Loop) 8 miles
Uncompahgre Peak 2.5 miles - From Lake City, take the Engineer Pass Road along Henson Cree about 5.5 miles to the Nellie Creek Road (the road is signed). Take the Nellie Creek Road (foru-wheel drive) 5 miles to the trailhead.
Wetterhorn Peak 3 miles
Check out his great video by the Alpine Snoozers Club
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