Colorado · Cross-country skiing

Washington Gulch Trail

Washington Gulch TrailPhoto: Jeffrey Pang from Berkeley, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.1 mi
distance
41 ft
climb
10,694 ft
high point
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Washington Gulch Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Washington Gulch Trail is a short cross-country ski route in Colorado's Gunnison Ranger District, part of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail sits at about 10,600 feet, with a high point of 10,694 feet and a low of 10,636 feet. The climb is minimal, with a total gain of 41 feet over a 0.1-mile stretch, so it works as a quick addition to a day spent in the area. Winter is the natural season for this trail. Typical averages from the Taylor Park weather station, about 25 miles away, show January highs near 29°F with lows around -8°F, and the station sits roughly 1,500 feet below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Summer is milder, with July highs around 72°F and lows near 42°F. Gothic Mountain Trail lies about 0.3 miles away, and the Crested Butte climbing area is about 0.7 miles off. Gothic Campground and Campsites GC 4-8 are both about a mile away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Washington Gulch Trail

    Best months: June–September. 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

      29° / -8°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      33° / -5°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      40° / 4°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      47° / 18°

      8 wet

    5. May

      58° / 29°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      69° / 36°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      72° / 42°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      70° / 41°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      64° / 34°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 25°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      40° / 13°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      28° / -4°

      8 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Taylor Park, CO, 24.9 mi away at 9,179 ft. The station sits about 1,500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors