Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of Boulder Gulch Trail
BLMLand Manager
Boulder Gulch Details
-
Activities
- Hike
- Mountain Bike
- Trail Running
-
Riding AreaSilverton
, Colorado -
Difficulty Rating
-
Hiking SAC ScaleT1 Hiking
-
Trail TypePrimitive
-
Bike TypeAM
-
DirectionDownhill PrimaryPopular direction shown
-
Climb DifficultyDouble Black Diamond
-
Physical RatingExtreme
-
Trail VisibilitySometimes hard to follow
-
SeasonJuly - Sept
-
Alpine TrailYes
-
Dogs AllowedYes
-
eBike Allowed
-
TTFs on TrailRock Garden
-
Global Ranking
-
Local Popularity75 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
-
Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to supportdonate to earn trail karma!
trail development & maintenance.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Boulder Gulch hike trail trail
-
Altitude change-3,092 ft
-
Altitude min9,550 ft
-
Altitude max13,054 ft
-
Altitude start12,642 ft
-
Altitude end9,551 ft
-
Grade-11.2%
-
Grade max-74%
-
Grade min78.5%
-
Distance climb3,301 ft
-
Distance down4 miles
-
Distance flat774 ft
-
Avg time01:13:54
- view trail stats
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Partial
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
- < 2 days
- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
- Downhill Only
- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
- Description
- Photos
- Description & Photos
- Videos
- most popular
- popular
- less popular
- not popular
- mountain biking recent
- mountain biking (>6 month)
- hiking (1 year)
- moto (1 year)
- Downhill Ski
- Backcountry Ski
- Nordic Ski
- Snowmobile
Save the current map location and zoom level as your default home location whenever this page is loaded.
SaveBoulder Gulch Trail Reports
Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail
- 0 rides
- 1 rides
- 15 miles avg distance
- 6 rides
- Last: Oct 12, 2024
Photos
Trail Products
4 Reviews & Comments
We hope you've been enjoying Trailforks!
Create a FREE account to view trail comments and much more.
Nearby Trails
- South Fork Trail 1 mile
- Outback (town Loop) 5 miles
- Hematite Gulch 5 miles
- River Road 6 miles
- Maggie Gulch Road 6 miles
- By slayerdegnar
& contributors
- #136353 - 5,637 views
- follow/subscribe
- login to download gpx or kml files.
You must enter a description before submitting.