Colorado · Cross-country skiing

Gulch

GulchPhoto: Helimedic39, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.6 mi
distance
55 ft
climb
8,952 ft
high point
Jun–Aug
best months

Is 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 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.

Gulch is a cross-country skiing route in the Gunnison Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in Colorado, about 0.6 miles long and roughly 55 feet of elevation gain one way. It sits on private land within the Moon Ridge area, and the route is short enough to fit easily into a day of exploring the surrounding trails. Winter is the natural season for skiing here. Typical averages from the nearby Crested Butte weather station show January highs around 26°F with lows near -7°F, while June and July run in the 70s by day and 30s at night. The station sits at nearly the same elevation as the route, so those figures are a fair guide to conditions on the trail. Old Ditch Trail and Middle Earth are both about 0.1 mile away, and the Hone Stone climbing area is about half a mile off. For an overnight stay, Crested Butte RV Resort is about 2.3 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit 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.

    1. Jan

      26° / -7°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      29° / -2°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      38° / 7°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      47° / 19°

      9 wet

    5. May

      58° / 28°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 34°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      76° / 40°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 38°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 31°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 22°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 9°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / -4°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Crested Butte, CO, 0.8 mi away at 8,867 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more snow worth the drive

Middle EarthPhoto: Helimedic39, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Middle Earth

Next door

Middle Earth is a 1.23-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 310 feet of elevation gain.

Tony'SPhoto: Nicholas Swanson http://nicholasswanson.com/ http://dribbble.com/NicholasSwanson, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Tony'S

Next door

2.80-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 874 ft of elevation gain.

The MazePhoto: Helimedic39, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Maze

Next door

0.97-mile route in Colorado with 34 ft of elevation gain.

PowerlinePhoto: Nick Taylor, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Powerline

~3 min drive

Powerline is a 0.14-mile ski trail in Colorado.

Tony'S Trail 603Photo: Nicholas Swanson http://nicholasswanson.com/ http://dribbble.com/NicholasSwanson, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Tony'S Trail 603

Next door

Short, beginner-friendly Colorado ski trail perfect for quick outings.

Crested Butte Mountain ResortPhoto: Draconrex, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Crested Butte Mountain Resort

~3 min drive

Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado has 15 lifts and 95 runs with 2,315 ft of vertical drop.

Washington Gulch RoadPhoto: Sheila Sund from Salem, United States, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Washington Gulch Road

~8 min drive

Short, beginner-friendly road ski in Colorado's Washington Gulch.

Skyland CcPhoto: Helimedic39, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Skyland Cc

~1 min drive

1.33-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 141 ft of elevation gain.

TeocalliPhoto: Helimedic39, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Teocalli

~2 min drive

0.69-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 25 ft of elevation gain.

Recreation PathPhoto: Helimedic39, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Recreation Path

~1 min drive

1.84-mile route in Colorado with 481 ft of elevation gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors