5.2 miles
Distance
425 ft
Climb
-3,517 ft
Descent
01:13:54
Avg time
Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of Boulder Gulch Trail
  • BLM
    BLM
    Land Manager

Boulder Gulch Details

  • Activities
    • Hike
    • Mountain Bike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Silverton
    , Colorado
  • Difficulty Rating
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Primitive
  • Bike Type
    AM
  • Direction
    Downhill Primary
    Popular direction shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Double Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Extreme
  • Trail Visibility
    Sometimes hard to follow
  • Season
    July - Sept
  • Alpine Trail
    Yes
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
  • TTFs on Trail
    Rock Garden
  • Global Ranking
    #79695 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #59907 in Hiking
  • Local Popularity
    75 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking

This is more than a ride. It’s an alpine adventure that you won’t forget. After a 2,000’ hike-a-bike, you’ll crest the ridge and be treated to spectacular views. Boulder Gulch trail is very steep and descends 3,700’ in less than four miles and has a variety of riding (alpine tundra, exposed side hilling, rocky technical fun, and many very steep, loose sections). This is a hardcore alpine experience and you must be fully prepared (be prepared for remoteness, wind, cool temps, and lightning likely during thunderstorms). There is very limited cell service on this route.

From Silverton, take county road 110 past the Silverton ski area. The road will eventually curve right, past the Water Treatment Plant. From here, take County Road 52 to the end (Velocity Basin). Park here and get ready to hike your bike.

From the parking area, there is a trail that heads east. Bikes are not allowed to be ridden anywhere on the climb and must be carried. With your bike on your back, follow this trail. Your objective is the ridgeline above. After ascending 2,000 ft, you’ll reach the ridge where you’ll find a faint trail. Follow this trail along the ridge until you eventually reach the high point at 13,000’. Stop and enjoy the views (you’ll look down into Eureka Gulch to your left, Velocity Basin to your right, and Boulder Gulch straight ahead).

From the high point, get ready for a spicy descent (the trail descends 3,700’ in approx. 3.5 miles). The trail is very faint at the top but becomes more pronounced as you go further down. If you lose the trail at the top, stop and look for cairns.

The initial trail is faint as it descends through the alpine tundra. There are some sections where the trail skirts along the side of steep hillsides. About midway down, the trail jogs left and over a small creek crossing. Continue following the trail as it passes through the trees. There are several sharp switchbacks sprinkled throughout, and some super steep sections of loose rock. Eventually the trail ends at Boulder Gulch stream where you’ll see a concrete intake pond. This is Silverton’s water source so please stay out of the water. From here, follow the doubletrack road which eventually leads to Silverton. Stay on the doublectrack road and do not shortcut through private property to reach CR2

Access Info Restricted Access

The primary route to get to this trail begins at Velocity Basin. Bikes are not allowed to be ridden on the climb (BLM land from the lake to the summit); however, you are allowed to hike this section with your bike on your back. The roughly 2,000 ft. climb is steep and most people wouldn’t be able to ride it anyway.

Be prepared for weather because this area attracts a lot of lightning. The high point is 13,000 ft and weather conditions can change in minutes. The trail is steep the whole way down so be sure your brakes are in good working order

At the end of the ride (bottom of the trail), be sure to stay on the doubletrack road until you reach the gate at the water tank. Stay on the doublectrack road and do not shortcut through private property to reach CR2!

Disclaimer

This is a hardcore high alpine adventure ride. Not to be taken lightly because of the remoteness, elevation, and exposure to lightning. If it looks like dark clouds are moving in, get down as lightning strikes are very common up here.

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Boulder Gulch hike trail trail
  • Altitude change
    -3,092 ft
  • Altitude min
    9,550 ft
  • Altitude max
    13,054 ft
  • Altitude start
    12,642 ft
  • Altitude end
    9,551 ft
  • Grade
    -11.2%
  • Grade max
    -74%
  • Grade min
    78.5%
  • Distance climb
    3,301 ft
  • Distance down
    4 miles
  • Distance flat
    774 ft
  • Avg time
    01:13:54
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Oct 19, 2024
Snow Covered
Avg: 4.17 (5 votes)
Your vote: 0

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  • Snow Groomed
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  • Snow Covered
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  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
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  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
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      Boulder Gulch Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Oct 19, 2024 @ 9:07am
      Oct 19, 2024
      Snow covered for season.
      Oct 19, 2024 @ 9:06am
      Oct 19, 2024
      Snow covered for season.
      Aug 27, 2024 @ 7:00am
      Aug 27, 2024
      Jun 23, 2024 @ 12:41pm
      Jun 23, 2024
      6 snow fields up high (2 very large) and 2 down trees down low of unknown size.
      Nov 20, 2023 @ 6:46am
      Nov 20, 2023
      Snow covered for season.
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 0 rides
      •  
      6 Months
      • 1 rides
      • 15 miles avg distance
      All
      • 6 rides
      • Last: Oct 12, 2024

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      211 |
      Jun 8, 2021 @ 10:11am
      Jun 8, 2021
      215 |
      Jun 8, 2021 @ 10:11am
      Jun 8, 2021
      243 |
      Jun 8, 2021 @ 9:10am
      Jun 8, 2021
      243 |
      Jun 8, 2021 @ 9:09am
      Jun 8, 2021

      4 Reviews & Comments


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      Chunky delight!
      | Jun 8, 2021 , Silverton
      • By slayerdegnarTF Pro & contributors
      • #136353 - 5,637 views

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