Upper Geneva (Geneva Creek)

Georgetown, Colorado (Park County)

Last Updated: 06/10/2022
4.7 / 5 ( 91 reviews )
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Highlights

Highlight: Upper Geneva (Geneva Creek)
Upper Geneva Creek is one of the more diverse trails in Colorado and great fun even for a stock rig with no bells and whistles. The first part of this trail offers fantastic views of the valley and Geneva Creek itself. This area is peppered with camping for tents and even RV's and trailers from the beginning to the end. The second half of the trail is where things get interesting. First is the Iron Fens natural phenomenon. One of eight locations in the world, all of which are in Colorado. This one happens to be a half-mile hike to see it and is well worth the sweat. After the Iron Fens, you turn and start climbing to over 11,000 feet to what was Geneva City. Scattered at the end of this trail are a number of buildings and structures, including the remnants of the Sill Mine.

Video

Route Information

Technical Rating

( MODERATE )

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Waypoints

1. Geneva Creek Trailhead (0 mi)
This is the intersection with Guanella Pass. From the north, this is just past the gate, and from the south it is just before the seasonal gate. Don't turn too early on the left and wait to see the sign and gate.

Directions to Trailhead

Starting Point: Multiple Location

In the winter, you can only access Upper Geneva from Grant, CO due to the winter closure of Guanella Pass. From Grant, CO. Take Guanella Pass north and continue 6.85 miles to the trailhead. From Georgetown, take 15th St. straight the roundabout and turn right onto Rose St. Continue on Rose St. 17 blocks and turn left onto 2nd St. which becomes Guanella Pass. Continue 8.5 miles to the trailhead. Guanella Pass is closed in the winter, typically from November 1st until May 30th. If the road is closed, you cannot get to the trail from the North either way and should come down 25 to I-70 to get to it. You can get current information on the status of Guanella by calling the automated line from the county (303) 679-2312.

Camping

Dispersed
Improved
Designated

Land Use Issues

trailsoffroad has spoken with the Ranger on this trail a few times. While old maps show the trail ends early, new maps recently posted at the entrance indicate the trail is open to the mine. The summits of the old mines on the right at the four-way intersection are off-trail. They advised that the repeated abuse of parts of the trail that are off trail and things like the summits noted at Waypoint 7 are currently being reviewed. These areas are not marked well and the question is becoming how to close this area off. Stay the trail and follow the GPX and trail write-up here. Stay legal and keep our trails open.

Trail Reviews (91)

Questions & Answers (9)

Q: It appears there is a trail that runs to the south of WP8 and goes toward Geneva Lake, is this a legitimate trail?
–Ben Jimbo (08/31/2021)
–Ben Jimbo (08/31/2021)
–JD Marshall (08/31/2021)
Q: Would you rate this as more technical as Chinns Lake?
–Marco Cristaldo (09/29/2020)
–Ryan Boudreau (10/01/2020)
Q: Quick question on the route as I have been studying your description/video vs a few others I found - the high-point at which your video starts, is that part of the confirmed private property that shouldn't be driven from the 4-way, or is that part of the route to reach the Sill Mine? Thank you for the help!
–Daniel hill (09/19/2019)
–JD Marshall (09/19/2019)
Q: I know they were clearing the path. Anyone know if it’s open?
–Wesley Alan Duff (08/18/2019)
–JD Marshall (08/19/2019)
Q: Any recent updates for Upper Geneva? Hoping to maybe catch the Fens if we can next week. Is it passable to waypoint 6 by chance? Thanks in advance! :)
–Shawna (07/07/2019)
–Wesley Alan Duff (07/29/2019)
Q: We didn't go last year, but are hoping to check out this trail at the end of the month. Can you drive all the way to the mines now, at waypoint 8? Thanks in advanced :)
–Shawna (09/01/2018)
–JD Marshall (09/02/2018)
Q: Has anyone been up this spring yet? Wondering about road conditions and if camping (dispersed, preferably) is a good idea yet, or if it's still too early....
–Laura (06/07/2018)
–David (06/19/2018)
–JD Marshall (06/07/2018)
Q: Thanks for the updates. I'm assuming the Iron Fens are off limits then? Very sad if true.
–Shawna (08/19/2017)
–JD Marshall (08/20/2017)
Q: Any updates? We'll be there next week and it's at the top of my list to see the ruins and iron fens. Thanks in advance :)
–Shawna (07/08/2017)
–JD Marshall (07/09/2017)

Writer Information

JD Marshall

Mapping Crew - Colorado
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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?!'.
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