Miners Gulch
Maps:
USGS 7.5' Map:	Central City
Statistics:	Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time: Moderate 6 FR709 1.76 9,980 to 10,065 ft. Rock - 2, Water - 1 2-3 hours
County:	Gilpin
Adopted by:
Managed by:	Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest, Clear Creek Ranger District	101 Chicago Creek Road, P.O. Box 3307 Idaho Springs, CO 80452	303-567-3000
Summary:	Miners Gulch is a loop between Mosquito Gulch and Yankee Hill. It has a climb in the middle of the gulch in the trees that includes larger rocks and a large step.
Attractions:	Rocky hill climb. Mines.
Seasonal Closure:	Natural - closed by heavy snows.
Best Time:	June - May still be drifted in the trees. July - Mid to late. August - Best time. September - Best time. October - Early snows may close the road.
Trail Heads Accessed:
Camping:	There are a few dispersed sites at the head of Miners Gulch below Yankee Hill.
Base Camp:	This would be a good area to base camp with the large network of 4WD roads to explore in the area.
Fall Colors:	Poor - Miners Gulch runs through pine forests on a north facing slope.
Navigation:	North end start. From Black Hawk, CO head northwest on Colorado Hwy 119 for about 2 miles. Turn left onto CR 4-S, Apex Valley Road. Follow Apex Valley road for 3.8 miles. Turn left on 12 Mile Road/Mosquito Creek Road. Follow Mosquito Creek Road for 1.3 miles to a left turn that crosses the creek. This is the bottom of the Miners Gulch loop. South end start (this way has lots of confusing side roads after getting through Central City). From Black Hawk, CO head southwest on Gregory Street for 0.6 miles. Gregory Street turns slightly left and becomes Lawrence Street. After 0.5 miles continue on Eureka Street for 0.5 miles and turn right to stay on Eureka Street. After 0.3 miles continue onto CR 3/Upper Apex Road. After 0.4 miles take a slight left at Columbine Campground Road. After 1.1 miles turn left onto FR739.1 and go 1.6 miles. Turn right onto Pisgah Lake Road. After 1.0 mile turn left onto Yankee Hill Trail. After 0.9 miles turn right onto Miners Gulch Road.
History:	Miners Gulch road is most likely an access road for the mining claims that follow the gulch.
Description:
The most challenging way to run Miners Gulch is from the bottom near Mosquito Gulch/North Clear Creek to the top where it intersects with Yankee Hill 4WD road. After turning off of North Clear Creek road and crossing the creek you will begin climbing up Miners Gulch. The road is narrow in heavy timber with very few pulloffs for passing vehicles. The road is very wet in the spring with the spring runoff flowing down the road bed. Within a mile you will come to a small opening where the road takes you over a rocky step. The road will then take you into Miners Creek and past the spur road on the right to FR709.1A, whcih dead ends. Adam M on obstacle Photo by: Paula K Cindy M on obstacle Photo by: Paula K Collis N coming up to the obstacle Photo by: Paula K Ben on obstacle Photo by: Rachel K Paula K on obstacle Photo by: Rachel K Once you climb out of the creek the road continues climbing up Miners Gulch in the thick timber. Shortly you will come to an open area with two lines, one to the left, and one to the right. The right side is a bit easier than the left, but they both have rocks to climb before coming together into a larger open area. This area also has some large rocks to navigate. After getting through this section you will be back on a narrow road continuing your climb up Miners Gulch. Where the trees thin out a bit you will be climbing out of the gulch. The road your on will be below another road on your left. The other road is the Freeman Gulch Cutoff, FR175.3C. Shortly this road will connect with the Miners Gulch road and continue uphill to connect with the Yankee Hill 4WD road.
Data updated - April 14, 2019      4WD Road driven - July 10, 2011      Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2019