Lion Gulch Trail Out and Back

Dogs Unknown

Though the trailhead is out of the way, and doesn't look very impressive when you start, the views are impressive once you drop into the West Elk Creek side. West Elk Breccia rock formations make fore a unique landscape.

Turn by the Red Creek sign, then drive another 5.3 miles. It's gravel, any car should make it just fine. The five mile drive to the trailhead is really beautiful; there are big rock formations in the cliffs here. Once you make it to the trailhead, you can drive up a little hill on the left to be right by the start of the trail, or there's a pull off on the right side of the main road; your choice.

This trail definitely feels a bit more off the beaten path. The route starts on singletrack in a beautiful Aspen forest. The trail here is easy to follow but there are a few cow trails so if you aren't sure, check your map. There's also a cattle gate that you'll need to go through early on. You may see some cows roaming around for the first mile or two. There are also a few mucky creek crossings.

This trail is a mix of shade and sun, first in the shaded Aspen forest, then open sunny fields, then you enter Aspen forest again just for a minute, before starting your switchback descent in a pine forest. The trees open up now and again and you can see really cool rock formations below and all around in the distance. The trail is a little overgrown in spots, if you are wearing shorts, your legs might get pretty scratched up. You can usually see the dirt trail underneath even if some areas have bushes blocking part of the view. When in doubt, check your map.

Just after 3 miles in, the trees intermittently become a bit more sparse and act like drawn curtains on the sides of a magnificent stage. In this case, that stage is an incredible view of blue Mesa in the background, and the neat rock formations and pinnacles in the foreground.

The rock is loose in some sections, so watch your footing. The last half mile or so, the trail is even more loose and rocky but you can try to follow the contour if you lose your way.

One of the last switchbacks is really easy to miss, so keep your map out if you can't find it. Accessing the actual creek at the bottom of this trail would take some serious bushwhacking so approach with caution. The views on this trail are pretty stellar and the lack of people and prominent trail, definitely give it a more rustic vibe that one can certainly appreciate.

Deer, Elk, Moose, Big Horn Sheep and raptors. Mixed forest and sage brush.