Hiking Trails in Keystone Colorado

Dercum Mountain has some glorious view of the valley and the mountains. Hiking up the mountain can be a bit taxing, but you can also take the Gondolas up to the top and hike down, they also offer lunch packages (there is a fee to take the gondolas). Once you are at the top you can walk down the Schoolmarm trail (3.5 miles) or stay on top a while for some awesome photo opportunities, but the gondolas have limited hours depending on the season. The difficulty depends on which trail you take, the Schoolmarm is pretty flat and easy to hike up or down and would be a seven mile loop (2300 vertical), so be prepared for some steep sections, but otherwise the trail offers some awesome views and a winding descent down the mountain. There are several spin off trails that are steeper and some that are less steep, but either way this is a great area to walk. Be careful as there are cyclists in this area. There are some other areas in Keystone, but many are mainly abandoned ski areas or mountain biking terrain, our best bet is to move into Dillon.

ARAPAHOE BASIN HIKING TRAILS

BAKER MOUNTAIN TRAIL (2 MILES/ VERTICAL 448 FT.)

Baker Mountain with a steep but short hike straight uphill from the top of Loveland Pass is an easier summit to achieve than its neighbors Sniktau Mountain and Grizzly Peak. You start at 12,000 feet and only have to climb about 500 feet in the thin air. Although not as distinctive as its neighbors, it’s much easier to summit to climb.

To get here from Keystone: Take highway 6 east from Dillon to the Loveland Pass summit. Park on your right by the Continental Divide sign (elevation 11,990') and take the steps up to the trail.

GRIZZLY PEAK TRAIL (5 MILES/ VERTICAL 1637 FT.)

This mountain looks like a grizzly bear in comparison to the soft, round, teddy bear shapes of Sniktau and Baker mountains. It is a spectacular ridge walk and steep scramble at the end that is clearly worth the effort for the views. It requires a bit of a roller coaster climb since the ridge between Baker and Grizzly drops more than 150 feet and that altitude has to be regained going and coming. Although you can continue to Grays and Torrey Peaks from Grizzly, that would be a very long trek.

To get here from Keystone: Take highway 6 east from Dillon to the Loveland Pass summit. Park on your right by the Continental Divide sign (elevation 11,990') and take the steps up to the trail.

SNIKTAU MOUNTAIN TRAIL (4 MILES/ VERTICAL 1300 FT.)

This is a great hike for anyone that wants a true alpine experience but doesn’t have the time, or energy, to spend hours hiking to get above tree line. Although a relatively short hike, the trail gains about 1000' in elevation in the first mile so this probably should not be the first thing you attempt if you’ve just arrived in Summit County from the plains! The first section of the trail is clearly visible as it ascends the spine of the ridge leading to the first summit.

To get here from Keystone: Take highway 6 east from Dillon to the Loveland Pass summit. Park on your right by the Continental Divide sign (elevation 11,990') and take the steps up to the trail.

MCCULLOUGH GULCH TRAIL (3.4 MILES/ 1100 FT.)

One of my personal favorites, McCullough Gulch Trail has a waterfall. As you follow the path for nearly a mile, several stream crossings bring you close to the falls cascading down from the ledge up ahead. Many trails lead to various levels of the falls but they return to the main trail that can be followed up the fairly steep ledge to the alpine lake at the top. Here you can explore the lake or just enjoy the serenity of one of Summit County’s most idyllic settings.

To get here from Keystone: Take Swan Mountain Road off Highway 6 to Breckenridge; Proceed south on Route 9 for 7.6 miles to Blue Lakes Drive (#850). Turn right onto Blue Lakes drive and continue for about 100 yards to McCullough Gulch Rd.(#851). Turn right and continue for 2.2 miles, staying left at the y-junction, to the parking area at the trailhead.

MONTEZUMA HIKING TRAILS

CHIHUAHUA GULCH AND LAKE TRAIL (6.1 MILES/ VERTICAL 1800 FT.)

with a name like Chihuahua Gulch, how can a dog lover not hike it or a dog not explore it? Begin hiking on the old mining road that climbs steeply as it passes through groves of aspen. At a fork, bear left, enter a meadow, and make the first creek ford, then follow the road and the creek through a large meadow that has two more stream crossings. Several small ponds are on the right (east). You may want to stop here to rest or for lunch. From here, the old mining road begins to climb in earnest. This is a great hike in July through early September, preferably in September to enjoy the foliage. Be warned, it gets very steep in certain parts.

To get here from Keystone: To get to the trail head; take Montezuma Road (off Highway near River Run Village) east. Follow this down and take a left turn onto CO Rd. 260, follow this just passed the turn (about 2-3 miles) onto CO Rd. 263. Parking for the trail head is just off of 260 or 263. Park along the road and enjoy the area.

REVENUE MOUNTAIN (3.8 MILES/ 2039 FT.)

While the initial ascent can be difficult, it is well worth it once you reach the top. You have spectacular views of the mountain and its valleys as well as numerous tundra and talus areas. Easy ridge walking from this peak leads to other close-by summits for extra credit. The trail is initially 1.0 mile, with tundra and talus beyond.

To get here from Keystone: To get to the trail head; take Montezuma Road (off Highway near River Run Village) east. Follow this down and take a left turn onto CO Rd. 260, follow this passed the turn CO Rd. 263. Follow this down a ways to find the trail head. Parking for the trail head is just off of 260. Park along the road and enjoy the area.

SHELF LAKE (5.8 MILES/ VERTICAL 2552 FT.)

One of Colorado’s nice surprises, this lightly used trail is ideal for those who enjoy hiking along briskly flowing creeks. The Colorado Mountains are full of nice surprises. Here is a fine trail to a lovely high lake, which is relatively unknown. The views become inspiring as you arrive at timberline at the head of the gulch. Argentine Peak looms impressively to the north-northeast of the lake, as does Square Top Mountain to the east-northeast. Decatur Mountain lies above and west of the lake. Mountain goats patrol the heights behind the lake, part of a expanding band that roams the Divide between Square Top Mountain and Loveland Pass. By July, there is a beautiful, midsummer display of wildflowers along the final stretch of the trail. Fishing at the lake is rated as good for cutthroat trout. Return in the fall, when the entire Geneva Creek valley puts on its best colors.