Colorado · Hiking

Lion Gulch

7.9 mi
round trip
786 ft
climb
9,611 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Lion Gulch open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Lion Gulch, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Lion Gulch is a hard out-and-back hike in Colorado's Gunnison Ranger District, part of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The trail runs about 7.9 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 786 feet, from a low point of 8,155 feet to a high of 9,611 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is natural-surfaced and open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Crested Butte show July highs around 76°F with lows near 40°F, while winter highs stay in the mid-20s and lows drop to about -7°F in January. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. The trail is rated hard, so plan for a steady climb over the course of the hike. Nearby, Cow Creek and Coal Mesa are both hikes about 4 miles away. Soap Creek Corral and West Elk campgrounds sit within about 5 miles.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.