Eureka Gulch

Ran this trail on July 16 and it was fully open. Note that you can no longer drive all the way to waypoint 3 as I encountered a locked gate blocking the spur road shortly before the mill. Also, the references in this writeup to the MVUM are incorrect, as this road is on a mixture of BLM and private land, not Forest Service land, so the MVUM does not apply. There are several more short side spurs near the top to different mining ruins that appear legal to drive. The road into the lakebed appears to be on private land and was blocked with cones when I was there. I observed a lot of construction equipment past there and it looked like a mine reclamation project is going on in there. Very scenic basin and I enjoyed seeing it.

Listed an open per San Juan County. Please be aware that snowy road conditions could still be present in spots.

A recent winter storm in the Ouray/ Silverton area has dropped a measurable amount of snow and high winds have been in the area. Some high country routes in the area may be passable but high country travel is not recommended.

Announced as open per San Juan County

Weather Forecasts for the San Juan Mountains call for a significant amount of snow in the coming days. Although some routes may be open, travel over these high mountain passes in winter conditions are not advised.

There is a road closed sign and construction cones at the beginning of the trail

Announced as fully OPEN per the US Forest Service. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sanjuan/maps-pubs/?cid=fsbdev3_002300

Announced as CLOSED for the Winter per the US Forest Service. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sanjuan/maps-pubs/?cid=fsbdev3_002300

I made it to Lake Emma with a Chevy Impala. Call me crazy haha. I didn't have my jeep and I was feeling crazy but I wouldn't have driven up if I wasn't sure I could make it. But yeah the Impala made it. I wouldn't recommend anyone driving this trail without a high clearance ride especially if you're not experienced at technical menuvering. I saw a mid size SUV turn around because there is one narrow & steep section with big rocks and little room to dodge them but there's a line possible. My tires slipped just a little going uphill. Going downhill on that section is even tougher and I did tap the exhaust a little bit. Oops! I wouldn't take the Impala up second time but the 1st time was worth it. Very pretty up there.

Trail was open all the way to the top. There was off and on rain which meant we drove a distance of 200' through water between CP 2 & 3, the deepest being 12". The road bed is all rock so there were no issues. The stream near Judge Terry's Midway Mill was 18' deep in the middle and really moving so I parked the Land Cruiser and walked the last 100' to the mill. Even on a busy day like July 4th, there was no else down by the mill. The rest of the climb was gorgeous and relatively easy. The top felt very secluded even with a couple other vehicles in the giant basin where Lake Emma once stood. There was an abundance of large waterfalls that added to the glory of this trail.

Currently listed as open per the U.S, Forest Service. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sanjuan/maps-pubs/?cid=fsbdev3_002300

Currently, San Juan County has issued CLOSURES on all their backcountry passes. San Miguel, Hinsdale, and Ouray County issued a travel at your own risk advisory. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sanjuan/maps-pubs/?cid=fsbdev3_002300

This was a pretty fun drive with lots of mining history. Mostly SxS's and ATVs up here when I went. I drove part of the lower spur which was surprisingly cleared of avalanche debris, but I turned around when there was probably a 15 yard section of deep mud that was very soft. The nearest tree to winch to looked to be out of range of my cable so I didnt take the risk on it.

San Juan National Forest has listed Eureka Gulch as "Open to snow, could be difficult to turn around." https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sanjuan/maps-pubs/?cid=fsbdev3_002300

Heavy snow pack and late season snow falls have greatly affected the opening date to many of the trails in the San Juan Mountains. I will try to quickly update these trail guides to reflect when the hard working plow and dozer operators are able to dig these wonderful trails out for all of us to enjoy. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sanjuan/maps-pubs/?cid=fsbdev3_002300

Snow has fallen making this trail impassable until next season, closed at the top by snow according to the U.S Forest Service. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sanjuan/maps-pubs/?cid=fsbdev3_002300