Mckenzie Gulch
- 5.0 mi
- round trip
- 1,441 ft
- climb
- 9,531 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Jun–Aug
- best months
Is Mckenzie Gulch open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 6 alerts for White River National Forest.
FSR 286, Radical Hill, is closed due to washouts and unsafe conditions
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
Limited parking at Snowmass Creek Trailhead
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
Grizzly Creek Trail Closure
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · Order 2026-02 · USFS · White River National Forest
Ruedi Marina Day Use area Dump Station is CLOSED
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
Asbestos safety closure - Camp Hale
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · White River National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
McKenzie Gulch is a hard out-and-back hike in the Eagle Ranger District of Colorado's White River National Forest. The trail runs about 5 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 1,441 feet from a low point of 7,993 feet to a high of 9,531 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route's natural surface allows for horseback riding and biking. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 73°F with lows near 39°F, while winter highs sit in the low 30s. West Brush Creek Trail lies about 0.6 miles away, and Sneve Gulch and Sylvan Lake Trail are both within about 2 miles. For camping, Yeoman Park Campground is roughly 4 miles off.
Go with a guide
- Mineral Belt Trail Guided WalkRoamze · $25 per person · 30 mi away
- Maroon Bells Guide and Outfitters24 mi away
Best time to go · Jun–Aug
Best time to visit Mckenzie Gulch
Best months: June–August. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
31° / 3°
8 wet
Feb
33° / 3°
8 wet
Mar
39° / 9°
8 wet
Apr
44° / 18°
8 wet
May
55° / 27°
9 wet
Jun
68° / 34°
9 wet
Jul
73° / 39°
12 wet
Aug
70° / 38°
12 wet
Sep
62° / 31°
8 wet
Oct
51° / 23°
6 wet
Nov
39° / 14°
7 wet
Dec
31° / 6°
7 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sugarloaf Rsvr, CO, 27.1 mi away at 9,738 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
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Sylvan Lake Trail
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Brown's Loop
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