Poughkeepsie Gulch

Ouray, Colorado (SanJuan County)

Last Updated: 09/06/2019
4.8 /5 ( 4 reviews )
Information
Nearby Trails
Status: Seasonal Closure
Typically Open: 07/01 - 10/14
Length: 3.9 miles
Highest Elevation: 12231 feet
Duration: About 3 hours
Shape of Trail: Straight Through
Best Direction to Travel: South
Nearest Town: Ouray
Nearest Town w/ Services: Ouray
Official Road Name: FSR 876
Management Agency: Uncompaghre National Forest / Bureau of Land Management
District: Ouray Ranger District
Showing 0 trails within 2 miles

Highlights

Highlight: Poughkeepsie Gulch
Traveled primarily for its difficulty rather than its mining history, this 4wd trail is the hardest trail in the Ouray, Silverton, Lake City area. Although difficult, this Jeep trail offers spectacular views along the way as it parallels the Uncompahgre River to its source at the jaw-dropping blue water of Lake Como. Known for its one major obstacle, "The Wall", this trail will not disappoint if you are looking for an adrenaline rush of steep climbs and teeth-jarring boulders.

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Weather

7 day forecast for Poughkeepsie Gulch

Route Information

Technical Rating:
(DIFFICULT - SEVERE)

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Waypoints

1. Northern Trailhead (0.00 mi)
The northern trailhead starts 2.5 miles in, off of Engineer Pass. There are some great camping spots right at the start of the trail here. There are also some fantastic waterfalls to explore.

Directions to Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates: 37.966939, -107.627184
From Ouray: From 3rd Street & Main, drive south on US-550 for 3.9 miles turning left onto Engineer Pass. Follow Engineer Pass for 2.5 miles where the trailhead will start on your right at a tight turn. The trail is very well marked. From Animas Fork: Travel west 4.2 miles over California Gulch. The trail starts on your right at a 3-way intersection, just before Lake Como. The trail is very well marked.

Camping

Dispersed

Trail Reviews (7)

Author:
Ryan Boudreau
Official Crew
Status: Partially Open
Offroaded on:
The upper gate has been opened by the BLM allowing people to access Lake Como, but the middle gate and lower gate still remain closed until crews can get in and clear avalanche debris and repair resources damage. The wall obstacle is still not accessible as it is below the middle gate. (See photo)
Author:
Jaime Shuler
Status: Seasonal Closure
Offroaded on:
This trail is still closed due to avalanche debris. We were able to enjoy views of Lake Como. It’s unbelievably beautiful!
Author:
Ryan Boudreau
Official Crew
Status: Seasonal Closure
Offroaded on:
Per the Forest Service and BLM, Poughkeepsie is still closed due to avalanche debris.
Author:
Christine Hammack
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
The varied terrain with a few difficult obstacles make this a fun trail.
Author:
Tracy Barker
Official Crew
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
I drove Poughkeepsie Gulch in my 1988 Isuzu Trooper with my friend who drives a modified and well equipped Lexus LX450. Knowing the Wall would be improbable (even in dry conditions) I gave it a go because I knew my wingman could strap/winch me over. Had no issues on the approach because my track is narrow and I was able to slip between rocks that the LX was crawling over (in a sluice near Waypoint 6, and the large boulder immediately below the Wall). The first attempt was center-right, then I tried center-left; I stacked a rock in the crevice and damn near made it but couldn't maintain momentum across. I backed off and then tried the "V" notch on the right. After a couple of wheel spins, I took the winchline and we went on to Lake Como and then over the pass to Animas Forks.
Author:
Michael Greene
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
My review isn't worth much, as I was coming from Animas Forks to California Pass then did a stop over dowm into Lake Como for a picnic and made it to the Wall Bypass only before heading back to cross Hurricane then head out on Corkscrew to Ironton. That said, what little I saw was epic. Lake Comp is beyond breathtaking. The grade heading doesn't from California to the Lakeshore is intense, but nothing low range and engine breaking can't cover. While I can't speak to the technical sections from the Engineer /Mineral Creek side, the Lake Como side is worth all of the effort to get there.
Author:
Dave Lay
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
This is a nice trail , I wasn’t in it to rock crawl so took the bypasses around the obstacles , lake Como and the waterfalls were the highlight of the trip for me. You should be fine in about any 4wd with decent ground clearance

Questions & Answers (1)

Q: Is this doable in a GMC sierra extra cab with a slight life and all terrain tires, if I take the bypass and avoid the wall?
–Peter (08/29/2018)
–Tracy Barker (08/30/2018)

Writer Information

Ryan Boudreau

Mapping Crew - Colorado
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Hi, I'm Ryan! I am a Colorado native and I've been wheeling since I was 16 years old. I grew up with a relentless passion for all things Jeep and off road related, and that passion has never died out. I am a member of the Mile-Hi Jeep Club, Patrol 16 Sasquatch Jeepers and currently own an '06 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited (LJ) nicknamed "Minion". I am a huge supporter of Stay the Trail and Tread Lightly, and have participated and even been in charge of many trail restoration projects. I have been a trail leader several times for events such as All-4-Fun, ColoradoFest, Set Them Free, 14er Fest, and other. I am also the creator of the Unlimited LJ Adventure. My rig is built for extreme offroading, but I love to get my tires dirty on any kind of trail whether it's rock crawling or just scenic high Alpine drives. I've wheeled all over the country including Colorado, Utah, Kansas, the Carolinas, AZ, and California. I love a great adventure, and love even more to share those adventures with others. If you see the "minion" out on the trail, make sure to stop and say hello.
For individual use only, not to be shared.

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