Chihuahua Gulch

4.9/5 (35 reviews)
Keystone, Colorado (Summit County)
Last Updated: 05/26/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

One of the more popular trails in the Keystone area, Chihuahua Gulch is used by 4x4’s, hikers and sometimes a little horse traffic will be seen. The first 2.1-miles of this trail is used by all, but the last four are for hiking only. The scenery on this trail does not disappoint and packs a lot into a small trail. After the climb to the marsh, the views of the mountains open up as you look into the valley. With two stream crossings and a little rough rock here and there, this makes for a great trail for beginners and seasoned wheelers. The Forest Service road once went to Chihuahua Lake, but is now blocked off. The hiking trail has been rated as moderate and shouldn’t be taken on by someone with no training. This is a great trail to pair with Warden Gulch (FS 265) for a day of off-roading.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.9/5 (36)
Partially Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 05/30/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Trail is very rocky at the beginning. Some tight spots but overall not too difficult. About a third to half way through it was blocked by some deep snow.
Official Crew
117100
Open
Visited: 05/26/2023

Open for the season. May still be wet and snowy in places.
Official Crew
117100
Seasonal Closure
Visited: 11/23/2022

Closed for the season, see you next season!!
Official Crew
37550
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 08/11/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

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!
Official Crew
37550
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 07/24/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

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.

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