American Gulch/Humbug Hill

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4.8/5 (29 reviews)
Breckenridge, Colorado (Summit County)
Last Updated: 06/25/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

American Gulch/Humbug Hill is a relatively easy 4WD trail the climbs from Georgia Pass into the heart of the Golden Horseshoe. It is positively riddled with old mine and cabin ruins. The rich history and great scenic views make this a must-do trail. Combined with any number of adjoining trails, American Gulch can be part of a full day of easy four wheeling and sight seeing. Some suggestions are Prospect Hill Road, Preston Road, and Brewery Hill. American Gulch/Humbug Hill is part of the Golden Horseshoe trail system which covers over 8000 acres between the Swan River and French Gulch. The area has a rich history and is dotted with countless mines, mills, and cabins dating from the late 1870s through the 1950s. The Golden Horseshoe is crisscrossed with 4WD, ATV, single track, mountain bike and foot trails. Keep a sharp eye out for other folks using this network and, as always, be considerate. Stay the trail, and pack out what you packed in. It is vital that all visitors respect historic sites. Please leave them as you found them. Decades of tourists taking home bits of these historic buildings as mementos or carving their autographs have destroyed much of our history. Many historic sites are in a dangerous state of decay. Never enter or climb on historic ruins. It could damage the site, or worse, damage you!

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.8/5 (30)
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6300
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 07/29/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Love this trail! Took this route right after finishing up Georgia Pass… definitely prefer this over Georgia.
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Official Crew
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43800
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 06/25/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

The shelf road is clear and dry. The trail is open through.
Trail Review: American Gulch/Humbug Hill - Trint Ladd
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3200
Not Reported
Visited: 06/14/2023

Took this trail from waypoint 17 to 10. Nice views at waypoint 10. This section of the trail is pretty easy. Didn't go any further because previous review said it is not passable.
Trail Review: American Gulch/Humbug Hill - Dave H
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Official Crew
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43800
Impassable
Rated 5/5
Visited: 06/10/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

We hit up The Golden Horseshoe today. All the trails are open except for this one. There is a large drift at the shelf road, waypoint 9. We came down from the top and tried to break through, but it's too deep yet. Some ATVs have squeezed through, but that's all that could fit. At least another week, I think.
Trail Review: American Gulch/Humbug Hill - Trint Ladd
Trail Review: American Gulch/Humbug Hill - Trint Ladd
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1700
Impassable
Visited: 06/06/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Starting at waypoint 1, we attempted to drive this trail today but had to turn around just before waypoint 9. The trail was covered with snow at this spot for about 75 feet and it didn't look like anyone had attempted to drive through it yet. Since there was a slight shelf road at this location, we didn't try to cross the snow.

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