Colorado · Hiking
Hiking in Parlin, Colorado
Parlin sits in the Gunnison Basin at roughly 7,800 feet, and the hiking around it leans heavily on old mining and forest access roads that have been reclaimed as trail corridors.
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Parlin sits in the Gunnison Basin at roughly 7,800 feet, and the hiking around it leans heavily on old mining and forest access roads that have been reclaimed as trail corridors. Most of the 23 listed routes here follow drainages and ridgelines into the surrounding Gunnison National Forest, including the Alder Creek corridor (both the trail proper, Trail 577, and the road variants), the Big Gulch Road network, and the Woods Gulch Road system with its small cutover connector. McIntyre Gulch 609 and Willow Creek Trail round out the options that feel more like dedicated foot travel. The terrain is high-desert scrub transitioning to aspen and conifer as you gain elevation, and most routes involve steady but not technical climbing. Because many of these are former road grades, they tend to be wide and well-drained, which makes them accessible earlier in spring and later into fall than single-track alternatives at higher elevations nearby. That said, Parlin gets real winters, and snow can linger on north-facing sections of Yellow Pine Ridge Road and Flick Ridge Road well into May. This is not a heavily developed trail network with trailhead kiosks and vault toilets at every start point, so come prepared to navigate with a downloaded map and expect minimal signage on the spur connectors.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year to hike around Parlin?
Late May through early October is the reliable window. The road-grade routes like Alder Creek Road and Big Gulch Road tend to clear of snow earlier than higher-elevation trails, often by mid-May. Afternoon thunderstorms are common July through August, so start early and plan to be off exposed ridgelines like Yellow Pine Ridge Road by noon.
Are these hikes suitable for beginners or casual day hikers?
Many of them are, particularly the road-corridor routes such as Willow Creek Road, Alder Creek Road, and the Woods Gulch Road network, which follow gradual grades without technical scrambling. Alder Creek Trail 577 and McIntyre Gulch 609 are more trail-like in character and may involve rougher footing and more elevation change. If you are new to hiking at altitude, the 7,800-foot starting elevation means you should plan for slower pace and more water than you think you need.
What gear should I bring for a day hike here?
Bring more water than you expect to need since most of these routes do not pass reliable water sources you should count on without a filter. Sun exposure is significant on the open road-grade sections, so sunscreen and a hat matter. A light rain layer handles the afternoon storm risk, and because trailhead signage is sparse on connectors like the Woods Gulch small cutover and Flick Cutoff Road, a downloaded offline map on your phone or a paper topo is genuinely useful, not optional.
Is there vehicle access to the trailheads, and do I need a high-clearance vehicle?
Access varies by route. The main Alder Creek Road and Willow Creek Road corridors are generally passable by standard passenger vehicles when dry, but spur routes like Willow Mine Spur 1A Road, Campbird Spur B Road, and Means Spur Road can get rough and rutted. After rain or early in the season when the ground is soft, high clearance helps on those secondary spurs. Check road conditions locally before driving in.
Are dogs allowed on these trails?
Most of these routes pass through Gunnison National Forest land where dogs are permitted but must be under control. Leash requirements can apply in specific areas, and given that several routes like Brown Derby Road and Flick Gulch Road pass through working range land, keeping dogs close is practical as well as courteous. Bring enough water for your dog since shade and water sources along the open road grades are limited.
