Colorado · Hiking · West Elk Wilderness

Soap Creek

18.5 mi
round trip
1,543 ft
climb
10,018 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Soap Creek open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Soap Creek, 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.

Soap Creek is a long, hard out-and-back hike in Colorado's West Elk Wilderness, within the Gunnison Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The trail's natural surface and 1,543-foot elevation gain make for a steep climb from the low point at 8,435 feet to the high at 10,018 feet, and the Forest Service manages the land. The trail is rated hard, and it is set up for horses. Bikes are not allowed. The Soap Creek Trailhead is the parking for this route, and the trail is open year round. For comfortable weather, aim for July, when typical averages from a nearby weather station in Crested Butte run to highs around 76°F and lows near 40°F. That station sits roughly 1,150 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures up top run cooler. June and September are also mild, with typical highs near 70°F and 66°F. Nearby hikes include East Soap, Coffeepot Creek and Soap Basin, all within about a mile and a half. For camping, Soap Creek Corral is about 8.4 miles away.

Local outfitters

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