SO many social trails. McCullough Gulch Trail #43 White River National Forest Available for hiking, and mountain biking the 1.27 mile McCullough Gulch Trail is located on the north side of Quandary Peak (elevation 14,265'). Not only is the trail surrounded by tall pines and trickling waterfalls, but it’s nestled in between massive, snow covered mountains. MCCULLOUGH GULCH TRAIL. Trailhead in White River National Forest. Two beautiful waterfalls, some decent elevation gain, bouldering and trees. Please note that the location of the trailhead has moved in recent months due to road closures: You may choose to continue upward another 1.2 miles above the timberline. At the start of the trail, you'll almost immediately cross a bridge with a rushing waterfall below. Take home tips: 1. It loses one star because route finding is INCREDIBLE difficult without the Alltrails app and a GPS. Please choose a different date. Made it to the lower lake - 4 miles from the start (see our recording). Arrived at 10:30 and parked along the road..another .5 to get to the actual trailhead as it's a no parking area..but flat. There is an option to start from Quandary Peak lower trailhead and hike 2 miles to McCullough trailhead. Keep driving until you get to the big McCullough Trail sign that has the white sign below it that says “no parking from here until gate”. It was about 2 miles in and 2 miles out, and took us about 3 hours to complete, stopping for lots of pictures. One of my favorite hikes in Breck because you get awesome views the entire trail. I would rate this more moderate than difficult because there are so many spots that smooth out making it less of an intense climb the whole way. I would agree with the Moderate skill rating due to some narrow crossings over streams, medium rocks to traverse, and uneven footing on inclines in spots. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Colorado Rockies on an 8-hour tour to Breckenridge. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. * This 2.25 mile stretch is wide and likely well-packed from the many users (including snowmobiles). You start at the Quandary Peak lower trailhead parking lot and as others have stated, the road to the McCullough Gulch trailhead is closed so this adds 2 miles each way but its worth it. Great hike with a little bit of everything. No results. From here, you may choose to stay on the main path towards the upper valley or take a detour around White Falls Loop. Bring water - I wore my camelback that stored enough H2O for the three of us hiking 2. others are great hikers but did require assistance in a couple parts.) If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Bring a camera or a GoPro for good pictures. There is tons of space. There is a few spots to park in a parking lot, but many were parked on the roadside (make sure there's no "no parking" sign". One of my favorite hikes in the US! Holoikauaua (literally, Hawaiian monk seal that swims in the rough) is an atoll now known as Pearl and Hermes. Spruce Creek Road to Mohawk Lake and Continental Falls, Mohawk Lake to Pacific Peak and Crystal Peak. We did the trail with snowshoes and this is highly recommended given the trail is covered by deep snow especially 3 miles into the hike. Although private property exists along this trail, hikers and mountain bikers are allowed access and are asked to stay on the trail. McCullough Gulch Trail is known for its waterfalls and above timberline lakes. Just south of Breckenridge, McCullough Gulch Trail is a 2.8 mile out and back trail. I also highly suggest taking water with you and possibly a snack to eat. McCullough Gulch, Breckenridge: See 306 reviews, articles, and 239 photos of McCullough Gulch, ranked No.4 on Tripadvisor among 60 attractions in Breckenridge. There was plenty of deep snow along the sides of the road to walk in just for fun and also ski tracks on the road and little trails off into the woods if you have xc skis and want to adventure a bit. OR. The McCullough Gulch Road (#851) and McCullough Gulch Trail (#43) … There are several lakes that can be viewed along this trail. Dogs are also able to use this trail. There was a badger den that was really close to the climb. All-inclusive transportation from your Denver's Union Station enables you to skip the hassle of navigating mountain roads and enjoy the stunning natural scenery. Once you park, work your way through the gate and continue for.3-.5 miles until you reach the trailhead (signs are abundant and the trail is well-marked throughout). From the trailhead, ride north on a singletrack to a paved road. We did this with my son and his wife. Moderately Difficult Trail, Beautiful Views. About McCullough Gulch Trail The trail is 3.2 miles long and fairly popular, so expect to pass by a few fellow travelers. Very well maintained trail and great pace. Absolutely no way we would have found the trail around 3 miles in. Definitely drive as far up the road as you can, we saw people parking way out and walking miles up the road to the trail. The trail is located south of Breckenridge on the north side of Quandary Peak, elevation 14,265 feet. The trail follows the slope on the north side of McCullough Gulch across from Quandary and rises gently, passing an old cabin at the .8 mile mark, to the intersection with the Wheeler Trail and McCullough Gulch Road. Only made it to the first lake because we couldn’t find the trail in the snow. Beautiful. Lily Pad Lake. While we were there on a hot day, much of the trail is within the trees and provide great shade, especially at the bottom part. OR. 12/9 Beautiful day! It begins along an old mining road and carries for half a mile before splitting into two separate paths. I hiked on 11/3, got there at 9:30. Good hike! Connect with Facebook. Steady climb and you get to see creeks, ponds, lakes, and waterfalls. Views were ridiculous. About 2 miles to McCullough trailhead. I recommend getting there as early as possible to beat the crowds. The Road To start the McCullough Gulch trail you will first begin on a service road at the end of McCullough Road. There are great views all along the way and the pictures of the falls at the top don't do it justice. After doing my research for this blog post, it appears it can be a little confusing getting to the trailhead for this magnificent hike. McCullough Gulch Rd closes annually due to winter conditions. Connect with Facebook. Virtual Tour of McCullough Gulch Trail #43. Pretty much had it all. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. OR. I took my time to just join the sounds of the water and the wind. Also a lesson for the wise. Recommend good snow boots or cleats. Although private property exists along this trail, hikers and mountain bikers are allowed access and are asked to stay on the trail. To access: this is actually past Breckenridge and right outside of Blue River. Recorded Trips. Enjoy! It’s a nice trail. Went to the lower lake..mostly frozen now. After browsing trail after trail online, I came across McCullough Gulch and decided to give it a go. NOT crowded at all (saw two other groups) but we did go on a Tuesday. Trails. Turn right onto Blue Lakes drive and continue for about 100 yards to McCullough Gulch Rd.(#851). Tracey Jarrell added Recording - Jul 30, 02:32 PM. The end is well worth the sweat. Download Waypoint (GPX) Nearby. McCullough Gulch Trail is a 2.8 mile hike in White River National Forest that will take about 2 hours to complete with Fido. From the trailhead you will be hiking on an old mining road through the McCullough Gulch drainage. Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Would you recommend this place or activity to a friend looking for an, Are the prices for this place or activity, Is this attraction a good place to visit on a, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Moderate Hike with Fantastic Panoramic views of the Mountains, Loved this hike! McCullough Gulch Trailhead . Yes. Sign Up or Log In. There is one part of the trail that was clearly washed out by a rock slide. Probably due to the altitude and the rocky terrain. You can shop, sled, hike, ride the gondola, and more. Some spots on the trail are hard to tell where you are going, but it is almost impossible to get lost. The lake and waterfall views are absolutely incredible during a sunset. A little challenging but well worth the views! It follows an old mining road.5 miles up the drainage before splitting off on a rugged path to White Falls and Upper Blue Reservoir. The service road is flat and easy and you will pass through a gate to continue on the hike. I'm not a fan of big drop offs, so the ride to this hiking trail was ROUGH for me, but slow and steady and you get there. But the 2 signs I just mentioned above are very clear and they are where the AllTrail trail map starts. Near Breckenridge, Colorado. This post contains affiliate links. I recommend bringing a blanket as you’ll want to spend some time at the lake once you get there- the views are incredible. Its fairly gentle for the most part, but the middle section the climb is on and steep. McCullough Gulch Hike, a popular sought after trail in Breckenridge CO, you don’t want to miss! My own fault, but I got confused by someone else’s post that said they had to park 0.5m away from the trailhead. McCullough Gulch is located in White River National Forest near Blue Lakes, Colorado. T his trail follows the McCullough Creek drainage up the gulch beneath the massive summit of 14,225′ Quandary Peak. Dogs are also able to use this trail. The McCullough Gulch Trail (#43), south of Breckenridge, will be closed to all users beginning September 6 to allow for removal of an unauthorized bridge and debris in the drainage. Manager ... View 7 Day Forecast on weather.gov. Although private property exists along this trail, hikers and mountain bikers are allowed access and are asked to stay on the trail and to respect private property. Sign Up. Overall we saw children under 5yrs old and folks over 70yrs old along the way. Login or Sign Up. Hike McCullough Gulch to Upper Blue Reservoir Rated 4.5 /5 based on 2 customer reviews 2.8 miles 910 ft gain - Out-and-Back Trail Wear shoes with a good grip - hiking boots or trail running shoes are best - some areas are smooth and its very easy to fall 3. According to my Garmin..4.7 miles from car to car, elevation 1079 to the first lake.. The trail completely disappears, so you must traverse the rocks to continue on your journey. 9, and hike up McCullough Gulch Road. Turn left and follow the road for a few hundred feet. Turn right on Blue Lakes Road (FDR 850), and then right on McCullough Gulch Road … There is a gate to enter the area, and then a walk down a wide dirt road until you reach the actual trailhead. Its modern name reflects the twin wrecks of British whalers, the … The hike is moderate as some sections are steep and rocky, but the scenery is spectacular. about 1 year ago. Sign Up or Log In. You'll reach the lower lake around 4 miles. As of this writing spikes are not required, but I would take some just in case. It’s quite spectacular and is very crowded during peak season. Going down the trails were packed on a Saturday with very few masks being worn. Enjoyed the elevation steps, hard followed by mellow effort. You'll reach the single track trailhead about 2.1 miles into the hike. This is a must do for active folks when visiting Breckenridge. I didn't see anyone on the way up (until the 2nd falls), but coming down there were loads of people. Several waterfalls can be viewed about 1.5 miles into this route. There were beautiful sights along the way. There is some rocky and mixed terrain about halfway up, so be careful, but the views are worth the effort. Still beautiful hike/snowshoe along the road. From there it is roughly 2 miles up a fun assent with varying terrain to a middling sized lake. Breckenridge Reminds Residents and Guests to Follow the Five Commitments of Wildfire Containment 8/28/2020 Town of Breckenridge Enacts Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Lakes, waterfalls, wildflowers, mountain goats, and views of iconic 13,000 and 14,000 foot peaks are your reward and well worth the effort. McCullough Gulch Trail is a 6.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Breckenridge, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Trail Map | Photo Gallery The beautiful part of this hike is that everywhere you look and go, there is something spectacular to look at. Coordinates. . If you can handle a moderate-to-difficult hike, do not skip this! An amazing snowshoe trip! The beautiful part of this hike is that everywhere you look and go, there is something spectacular to look at. This trail could use a short summary! McCullough Gulch Trail, White River National Forest. The first part has rocks underfoot primarily the consistency of crushed gravel. It definitely climbs and there are a couple short but technical parts (going up and across larger rocks where no trail is present). This trail could use a short summary! The. Sign Up. 39.401092°N 106.079°W. The trail is primarily used for hiking and snowshoeing and is best used from June until October. From the trailhead, take the McCullough Gulch Trail (named for the ravine you're ascending) west, passing the locked gate, crossing the creek on a wooden bridge, and climbing steeply right away. The lake is interesting to explore and climb around. Beautiful! The trail completely disappears, so you must traverse the rocks to continue on your journey. Take lots of water and maybe a snack to enjoy at the top when you reach the falls. I did the round trip in just over 3hrs. We arrived early - around, 8:30 or 9 to avoid the larger crowds and ended up getting a close parking spot. Would love to do this in the summer. It starts on an old … @david.lorenzen on instagram for pictures and videos. about 1 year ago. One of my new favorite trails, just outside of Breckenridge, Colorado is McCullough Gulch trail. nice out and back trail with good views along the way and the lake at the end is frozen this time of year making it totally worth the trip. Your FREE account works with all Adventure Projects sites . Parking for McCullough Gulch trail The trail was doable for us (mid 50's crowd) but we thought it was more on the difficult side of moderate. James and I took a trip to Breckenridge, and this was just a short(ish) 7-8 mile drive from our hotel. The waterfalls are the main attraction but the views to the waterfalls are wonderful as well. We went on November 18 and brought our snowshoes (good thing, because the trail had been completely covered by drifted snow, especially in the last mile to the lake.) 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North of Breckenridge and I-70, the Lily Pad Lake Trail, with a 3.2-mile round trip and … about 1 year ago. OR. You have to park about a third to a half a mile away from the gated entrance to the area and then you have about another quarter of the mile before you reach the actual trail. The top is so rewarding though. This intersection is just beyond a large open meadow with wonderful views of both Quandary and Red Mountain back to the East. The views are great and the road has a slight elevation in the first mile that helps warm you up. To start the McCullough Gulch trail you will first begin on a service road at the end of McCullough Road. The McCullough Gulch Trail is located 2.2 miles west of Highway 9 on the north side of Quandary Peak. Their are some exceptional views from the highest lakes on this trail, appears to be lots of wildlife as well. We took 4 young kids (1 in a backpack. Take Highway 9 south from I-70 through Breckenridge and Blue River. The trail itself isn’t my fave as its very well worn, lots of rocks, minimal single track, lots of side social trails that can be hard to distinguish with main trail. Quandry Peak was named by some I did this hike in October and it was pretty chilly once you get to the top. about 1 year ago. Definitely not a trail for strollers. We wanted to snowshoe and wore our shoes. If you're coming from Breckenridge, take Highway 9 to Blue Lakes Drive. Distance: 2.9 miles Elevation Gain: 892 feet Route Type: Out & Back Difficulty: Moderate Best Time to Hike: April – October Dogs OK? From Breckenridge head south on route 9 for 7.6 miles to Blue Lakes Drive (#850). The road is fine without (hard packed snow) but once you make it to the trail and if you actually want to get to the lake, you'll need good snow gear. The path has a slow incline which is easy to manage and also gives you great views of the gulch … From there you can climb on to the upper lake but we heard it is quite a rough go to get to a mediocre lake, so we ended our hike at the first lake. McCullough Gulch Trail is breathtaking from the beginning and is as good as it gets! One of the few trails with a waterfall, still flowing in the fall. Your FREE account works with all Adventure Projects sites . Definitely too deep today without snowshoes - as we were blazing the trail after 3 miles. Road to trailhead is closed for winter. We had heard we should go early because it gets crowded so we got out there about 8:15 a.m. Get the Pro subscription so you can download the map. I would rate this trail as an easy to moderate hike for people that are active and well due to narrow bridges, uneven rock and some steep inclines. Took us 4hrs exactly parking 1/4 mile from the gate to do the hike to the first lake and back including stopping and eating lunch at the waterfall. The effort is worth it for the waterfall and lake at the summit! After a visit to Red Rocks Amphitheater and a coffee break in a mining town, enjoy three hours of free time in Breckenridge. Go early and avoid the crowds 4. Nothing is lacking on this trek, it’s an alpine playground sitting alongside Quandary Peak. Like 8 groups on the way down. Posted by Jeff on Aug 4, 2017 @ 12:08 pm in Colorado, Hiking, Hiking Blog, Rated Moderate Hikes, Vista Hikes, White River National Forest | 0 comments | Last modified: August 11, 2017 . On a clear day you can enjoy all the surrounding mountains including 14,265-foot Quandry Peak to the south and 13,950-foot Pacific Peak to the north. Not great people! 1.6 miles into this hike you will come across the turquoise Upper Blue Reservoir and the nearby falls. But absolutely gorgeous. Road and the trail is well snowpacked. The trail is located south of Breckenridge on the north side of Quandary Peak, elevation 14,265 feet. Tracey Jarrell saved McCullough Gulch Trail . I went slow as my clearance isn't what a 4wd can do..but no problems. The McCullough Gulch trailhead is located approximately 6 miles south of Breckenridge on the west side of the Highway across from the Skier's Edge Condominiums. From the trailhead McCullough Gulch Trail travels along an old … Oct 13th - made the drive in my minivan to the trailhead..definitely appreciated the advice to go past the Quandry parking, another 1.5 miles. Like. OR. It is beautiful. This hike was incredible. The trail as very hard to find in a few spots just due to the snow, but having the map downloaded saved me 100%! Saves a long walk right now at least bring some spikes road this. Required, but coming down there were loads of people Garmin.. miles! 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