Chihuahua Gulch

We ran Chihuahua Gulch and hiked up to the lake. Just an awesome trail so close to Denver. This one will definitely test a stock rig!

This was my first time running this trail, which was awesome for several reasons. The main reason, this is a great 4x4 trail that connects to a hiking trailhead up to a gorgeous Colorado mountain lake. The mosquitos were awful, but a small price to pay for views of mountain lakes and streams surrounded by peaks. There was awesome camping as you neared the top, making the morning pretty easy for us to wake up and hike to Chihuahua Lake. I think this trail guide rating is pretty darn accurate. However, I would say it's a well-deserved 4-difficulty rating. I had no issues in my JLU with a 2.5" lift and 35" tires. I only bottomed out on a few spots, mostly due to looking at my surroundings instead of the trail. We saw a few stock rigs up there, so it's definitely possible, but I would wager a guess and say they got out a few times to spot lines. All in all, the 4x4 trail is a 4-star trail, but the fact this trail has awesome hiking access and nice dispersed camp spots bumps this up to a 5-star review. I would easily go hike this again and camp along this trail! A lot of Colorado counties have Stage 1+ fire bans, but Summit County did not while we were up here, hence the pictures of the fire. If you are unsure, the best thing to do is call the Ranger District where you plan to travel.

Love this trail. Just a heads up, Difficulty Ratings have some subjectivity to them, but I think this trail should be rated a bit harder (4/5). My reasoning is on my way down I saw a Tacoma TRD Pro and Jeep Gladiator Rubicon have some issues on the rocks (mud pit area and on the exposed rocks between the trailhead and water crossing). I doubt either of those vehicles would struggle on a 4. Hikers also thought it was crazy we were driving this trail. I’d just be careful and not make this your first 4 if you are working up from 3s. Maybe I’m wrong, it was a breeze in my stock rubicon two door, but the last trail I did was Mount Blanca.

Super fun trail that seems to have a little bit of everything from big rocks to open meadows to water crossings. The trail had a lot of hiking traffic on it from people wanting to hike up to Chihuahua Lake but it wasn't a big deal. There are some amazing campsites on this trail so if that's what you're looking for, you're in luck. As for the trail itself, there are some areas where choosing the right line is important; even with 33s and a 2.5" lift, I scraped a couple times (I felt like I was rushing it though because I was wanting to do more exploring in the area after running this trail so it was definitely my own fault). I'll definitely be back!

Trail is clear to waypoint 6, then drifts up to 2 feet. Could be bashed/winched since it's pretty flat, but it started raining hard so we headed back. At waypoint 5, we cleared the 4 foot drift on the far shore of the water crossing with shovels before winching up the remaining snow and ice. It's likely passable with a bit of a run at it now.

Dillion Ranger District confirms that trails are open to motorized use as of 5/21 this season! Beware of late-season snow and muddy conditions that can make these trails more difficult.

This trail has a seasonal closure until next year. See you then!

Absolutely beautiful. Trail was slightly busy with hikers but only had to pull over once for another SUV. The trail was short but well worth it when we combined with Walden as the writer notes. Both trails had some fun water spots and great rocks to climb over. Not to many spots for fall colors but still super fun. Used our Jeep Rubicon and yes there are some spots where picking a good line is needed. Overall no issues and I agree with the rating.

I've hiked this trail a few times and finally decided to go for it in my stock JL Sport. It was definitely the challenge I expected. The area where the marsh starts has been washed out and is now rocky and full of deep ruts. The mild incline that followed required careful wheel placement to make it though. After that, the rest of the drive was straightforward. Water crossings were a non-issue this late in the year. I managed to make it 95% of the way without scraping but caught a rock right before finishing. That was completely avoidable. I picked a bad line. My goal was to hike Grays from the SW ridge (highly recommended), so I was on the trail early and didn't run into any traffic. When I left, there was only one other Jeep parked in the upper lot. Overall, I would rate this trail as a 4.5. Some of the rocks are large and hard to avoid and the ruts by the marsh are deep. I wouldn't try this in anything with less clearance than my JL. I did use 4L, but that was only for speed control convenience on the way down. Completely worth it. I will do it again. Beautiful views. Lots of hiking options at the end.

Fun trail with great views. Was a nice challenge on 2" lift and 31" tires. Would recommend sliders and skid plates on close to stock vehicles. Rocks are large enough that sliding off an obstacle could cause damage. Water crossings were low and brush is taking over the trail near the end. Need someone with a full size and bullbars to do some clearing up top.

Rock and roll for sure on this one. Worth it though! Rating of 4 is maybe a smidge low in a couple of spots, but proper lines on my stock JLUR were okay. No exposure, just rocky, and rutted. I scraped a couple of spots, but I chose poorly on those sections. Pinstripes are a thing. Air down, and buckle up. Fun trail!

Great trail, very rocky and mildly challenging for a beginner. 2" lift on 33s and still used my sliders a few times. Saw several other vehicles but no issues passing, despite the trail being narrow for much of the route. Water was pretty shallow in most places, except for the final water crossing just before the trailhead was roughly 20". I'd run this trail again but did find the campsites to be lacking in good views. Also, lots of mosquitoes.

Really enjoyed this trail, nice and challenging but payed off with some gorgeous vistas. I was glad this was my first experience with a real, good, technical trail. Was able to complete about 95% but turned around only because it was getting late. Water crossings were approx. 12-22 inches deep and were flowing at a pretty good clip. Really was the only active vehicle on this trail. One thing to definitely remember. Much of this trail is very narrow and will only fit one vehicle. Be mindful of others coming up and down the trail. The pinstriping is no-joke in some spots as well. Definitely a trail to remember and would say earns its tech. rating fair-and-square in areas.

Open all the way to the top, water crossings werent too deep but were moving pretty fast. Snow is fully melted out. Fun trail with some great views

Awesome trail with great selection of obstacles rocks, mud and water crossings only made it to waypoint 5 as there was a large snow drift on the other side of the second water crossing. there was tracks of someone making it threw but as I was by myself and no winch didn’t want to attempt it. first and second water crossings were about two feet deep and running at decent speed. Scrapped skids a couple times mostly due to slipping off rocks. Ran in 4th gen 4Runner on 32inch mud terrains minor lift

This trail is open for the season but snowdrifts may still exist at higher altitudes, use caution and enjoy your summer!

Made it to the marshes, heavy snow drift (impassable) after that.

These trails are now reopened and the forest closure has cleared. Trails may be impassable due to snowfall.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Oct. 20, 2020) – Due to unprecedented and historic fire conditions, the USDA Forest Service’s Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests is announcing a temporary closure of all National Forest land in Clear Creek, Jefferson, Gilpin, Boulder, and Larimer counties, effective at midnight tonight (closure begins at 00:01 Oct. 21). This decision will be re-evaluated daily as conditions change.

This was a fun trail with many fun things to do. Water, mud, rocks, hiking. It was the highlight of the day.

Chihuahua Gulch is awesome. Great mix of obstacles and scenery. The Fall colors looked great last weekend but the views here should be good any time of year.

Rating is spot on at 4. Only a couple of rocky spots that required careful placement in order to prevent scraping. Water crossings are always fun as well. Any high clearance vehicle should be fine. Stocks Jeeps with no lift or bigger tires may scrape. I’d be shocked to see a stock Subaru at the back part of the trail! Hike at the end is worth doing albeit tough. The views from the drive back are amazing and the hike to the lake is even better. Super quiet up there today and had very little traffic. Couple of great dispersed camp spots I’ll be heading back to at some point!

Beautiful views today. Stock Rubicon (no lift / 33" tires) scraped a bit between waypoints 3 & 4. Otherwise a great trip.

First time on this trail today. Took the SxS and found it to be a little technical in a few places. Just had to stop and pick a good line to get around some of the larger rocks. Some areas are pretty rutted out and the rocks are getting exposed more. The lake was really cool to see. Then on my way down there were very few vehicles but a ton of hikers.

Lots of hikers, ATV's and other 4x4's. Beautiful flowers and vista's. Some tougher areas to navigate thru yet never scraped the skid plates or need to lock the diffs. Upper parking lot for the Grey's and Torrey's trail head was packed. That's what I get for a summer midday Saturday outing.

One of my favorite trails near Keystone. Here’s a quick video I made showing the trail from start to finish. Made it easily in my stock Jeep, but required 4low for a few spots.

Trail is open all the way to the lake trailhead. Outside of being bumpy (make sure you air down) this trail was a breeze.

The trail and area is now closed for the season.

Trail is open and there are no major changes to report on it. The start of the trail is now noted as being tougher than in previous years.

First trail ride for the Gladiator. We only went up to waypoint 7 and made camp but it was an excellent trail. Hope to go back and do the hike up to the lake sometime soon.

I talked to Dillon Ranger district today (7/9/2019). Peru Creek is still closed and gated. They said the open date is a "moving target." The road needs some repair before Chihuahua. Just past there, the road is blocked by avalanche debris and will be closed for some time yet.

The 2nd trail we did in the area that day and it did not disappoint. We had never been up to this trail before and the scenery and flowers at the top were great.

This trail is well worth all of the rock sections you encounter. The scenery is INCREDIBLE!