Champion Mine

The Champion Mine trail is a continuation of the Halfmoon Gulch trail that takes users to a high vantage point overlooking the Champion Mill. The trail is far more challenging than its counterpart. It climbs sharply up an exposed, single-lane, rutty trail with several passing opportunities. Users will encounter a series of small rock obstacles while ascending to the saddle between Mount Champion and French Mountain. These obstacles could be difficult for stock SUVs, and skid plates are highly recommended for stock vehicles as they are nearly guaranteed to scrape the underbelly more than once during the trek. The official trail ends here in the saddle, before circling the backside of Mount Champion. Although a well-worn route continues up the mountain to the old Champion mine site, this is a private parcel and not open for public use.

It is not uncommon for lingering snow to keep this trail impassable well into the summer months. Snow blocks the trail at inconvenient locations, making it difficult to turn around. Users are encouraged to scout the trail for snow before attempting and reminded to always stay on the trail and not attempt to drive around snow drifts.

Since most of this trail is on steep slopes above the timberline, suitable camping is practically non-existent, but plenty of campsites can be found lower down along the Halfmoon Gulch trail.