Chihuahua Gulch

Zoom in to see trails...

Status:	Seasonal Closure
Typically Open:	05/20 - 11/23
Length:	2.13 miles
Highest Elevation:	11263 feet
Duration:	About 1 hour, 30 minutes
Shape of Trail:	Out & Back
Best Direction to Travel:	N/A
Nearest Town:	Keystone
Nearest Town w/ Services:	Dillon
Official Road Name:	263
Management Agency:	United States Forest Service
District:	Dillon Ranger District

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.

Video

Route Information

Technical Rating

( MODERATE )

Waypoints

1. Trailhead Off Peru Creek (0 mi)

Take a sharp left (northwest) here off Peru Creek (FS 260) to begin the trail. Immediately after you start the trail there are some rough rocks and ruts to negotiate as you start to climb up. There are some sizeable rocks to be careful of along the way.

Directions to Trailhead

Starting Point: Dillon, CO

Take US-6 east for 5.8 miles and take the Montezuma Road exit and continue onto Montezuma Road for 4.4 miles. Turn a sharp left (north) onto CR 260. The trailhead is 2.2 miles into Peru Creek (FS 260).

Camping

Dispersed

Trail Reviews (27)

Questions & Answers (3)

Q: We are planning to head up there this weekend ( early sept 2020) and do some camping in a dispersed camping spot. Any wild life lurking around to be concerned about? Looks beautiful up there!!!

–patrick grooms (08/31/2020)

–JD Marshall (09/01/2020)

Q: This trail shows seasonal closures. Do we know when it will be open for this season 2020?

–Scott Golubic (04/27/2020)

–Ryan Boudreau (04/30/2020)

–JD Marshall (04/28/2020)

Q: I have a stock 2003 Nissan Frontier SC Club Cab. Do you foresee any issues with this trail?

–Jesse (06/21/2018)

–JD Marshall (06/22/2018)

Writer Information

JD Marshall

Mapping Crew - Colorado

Jen & JD moved to Colorado from Chicago in May of 2015 for work and brought with them a 2001 stock Jeep Wrangler that had been garage bound for two years. Within a month of arrival, all rusty 170,000 miles of it was shaking on Colorado trails and they've never stopped. As time as gone on, their 2001 TJ had to be traded and a 2015 Jeep JK has been added to the family. JD works as a Systems Engineer for a cable company and Jen runs a business from their home during the week to pay the bills. When the weekend hits, they're almost always hitting the trail. When Sunday night rolls around, the question turns to, 'so what's next week?!'.

Keystone, Colorado (Summit County)