Colorado · Hiking · Near Red Feather Lakes

Young Gulch

10.6 mi
round trip
1,222 ft
climb
7,077 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Young Gulch open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Canyon Lakes Ranger District.

As of · Source: USFS · Canyon Lakes Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Young Gulch is a hard hike in Colorado's Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, about 10.6 miles long and rising from 5,859 feet to 7,077 feet. The trail is natural-surfaced and out-and-back, and the Forest Service manages the surrounding land. The climb is a steady one. The trailhead sits at about 5,860 feet, and the route gains roughly 1,220 feet to reach the high point around 7,077 feet. That makes it a long and steep day, especially on the way up. Summer is the most comfortable season. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs around 72°F in June to about 79°F in July, with July lows near 56°F. That station sits higher than the trail, so temperatures on the route run a little warmer. The Young Gulch Trailhead is the parking point. The trail is open year-round, and Ansel Watrous Campground is just 0.2 miles away. Climbers can head to the Triple Tier Area about 1.2 miles off, and Falls Gulch Trail lies about 1.7 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Ansel Watrous Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Mishawaka Ampetheatre

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi · Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Homestead Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 15 mi from Red Feather Lakes

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Red Feather Lakes

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Young Gulch

    Best months: May–October. 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.

    1. Jan

      40° / 21°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      40° / 20°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      47° / 26°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      51° / 30°

      10 wet

    5. May

      60° / 39°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      72° / 49°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      79° / 56°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      78° / 55°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 47°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      57° / 36°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      47° / 28°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      40° / 20°

      6 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Buckhorn Mtn 1 E, CO, 5.7 mi away at 7,400 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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