Middle Cunningham  |
| Maps: |
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| USGS 7.5' Map: |
Nast |
| Statistics: |
| Difficulty: |
Number: |
Miles: |
Altitude: |
Obstacles: |
Time: |
| Easy 3 |
FR538 |
4.79 |
9,200 to 10,360 ft. |
NA |
1-2 hours |
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| County: |
Pitkin |
| Adopted by: |
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| Managed by: |
White River National Forest, Sopris District |
620 Main Street, Carbondale, CO 81623 |
(970)963-2266 |
| Summary: |
Middle Cunningham road connects County Road 4B with the Powerline-Cunningham, FR532, road. |
| Attractions: |
Camping |
Seasonal
Closure: |
Agency - November 23 to May 20
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| Best Time: |
June - Late in month
July - Best
August - Best
September - Best
October - Watch for early snowstorms |
Trail Heads
Accessed: |
Henderson Park, FT1972 - Hike
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| Camping: |
There are dispersed sites all along the road. |
| Base Camp: |
This would be a good place to base camp and explore the roads around the North Fork of the Fryingpan River. |
| Fall Colors: |
Poor - There are only a few aspen in this area. |
| Navigation: |
From Basalt, CO. head northeast on 2 Rivers Road toward Hillcrest Drive for 1.7 miles. Turn left onto Homestead Drive and go 0.6 miles. Turn left onto Frying Pan Road and go 19.4 miles. Continue onto County Road 4 and go 6.4 miles. Turn left onto County Road 4B and go 4.4 miles. Turn right onto Middle Cunningham Road, FR538.
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| History: |
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| Description: |
Starting from the west end of the Middle Cunningham Road, you will be at a large intersection off of County Road 4B. The left will continue the county road passing the Henderson Park Trail and run between the Holy Cross Wilderness and the North Fork of the Fryingpan River. It will also pass the Savage Lakes Trail, ending at Mormon Creek. The right is the Middle Cunningham road that is a lane and a half wide graded road. Just over a small ridge you will cross under power lines, pass a campsite on your left, and then cross the North Fork of the Fryingpan River.
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West end
photo by:
Adam M |
The road will continue through the forest passing another campsite on the right just before the road starts to follow along Cunningham Creek. The road stays graded and passes two more campsites then turns to the east continuing to follow the creek through the forest.
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Middle section
photo by:
Adam M |
The road will pass three more campsites before coming to a large intersection. The road to the left is FR538.1M, a spur that goes 0.39 miles further up Cunningham Creek ending near the Holy Cross Wilderness boundary.
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Following Cunningham Creek
photo by:
Adam M |
A right at the intersection will continue on FR538. The road will be rougher as it climbs into the pines and crosses over Middle Cunningham Creek. You will pass a spur on the left that goes to a water control dam. The main road will continue to climb until it comes out under power lines.
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Heading up Middle Cunningham Creek
photo by:
Adam M |
Here there will be an intersection with Powerline-Cunningham, FR532, road. A left will continue to follow the power lines. A right will take you to Sellar and Diemer Lakes.
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Data updated - December, 31, 2021
4WD Road driven - September 5, 2021
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