Moon Gulch
Maps:
USGS 7.5' Map:	Nederland
Statistics:	Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time: Moderate 5 FR290 2.87 9,200 to 10,000 ft. Narrow 1-2 hours
County:	Boulder
Adopted by:
Managed by:	Roosevelt National Forest, Boulder Ranger District	2140 Yarmouth, Boulder, CO 80301	(303)541-2500
Summary:	Moon Gulch is a narrow road through dense pine forest.
Attractions:	Mines, Narrow
Seasonal Closure:	Natural - Closed by heavy snows.
Best Time:	June - Narrow section in trees may be drifted July - Best August - Best September - Best October - Best
Trail Heads Accessed:
Camping:	There are a few small camp sites at the east, lower, end of the road.
Base Camp:	This would be a good area to base camp and explore the roads in the area, like Dakota Hill, Utah Hill, and Pickle Gulch.
Fall Colors:	Good - Aspen along the lower section
Navigation:	From Nederland, CO. head south on CO-119/N Bridge St toward W 1st Street and go 5.2 miles. Turn right onto Moon Gulch Road and go 0.6 miles. Moon Gulch Road turns slightly right and becomes Upper Moon Gulch Road. Go 2.4 miles and take a left onto a two track road. This is the Moon Gulch 4WD road. From Black Hawk, CO head northwest on CO-119 and go 13.2 miles. Turn left onto Moon Gulch Road and go 0.6 miles. Moon Gulch Road turns slightly right and becomes Upper Moon Gulch Road. Go 2.4 miles and take a left onto a two track road. This is the Moon Gulch 4WD road.
History:
	Jessen, Kenneth Ghost Towns Colorado Style, Volumn 1, 1st ed. Loveland, Colorado: J.V. Publications, 1998. Print. Wolle, Muriel Sibell Stampede to Timberline, 2nd ed. Athens, Ohio: Swallow Press, 1974. Print. Helmuth, Ed and Gloria The Passes of Colorado, 1st ed. Boulder, Colorado: Pruett Publishing, 1994. Print.
Description:
After leaving the Upper Moon Gulch Road you will follow the two track through aspen trees along the creek below Jumbo Mountain, to your north. Lower section, by private property photo by: Adam M The road will continue through the aspens crossing two small open meadows as it heads west. The forest will change over to pine and you will pass a right turn to a private home. Continue left turning to the south. You will cross a wide saddle that is heavily forested. The road will continue climb, but you are now running along the east side of Jenny Lind Gulch. This is where the road gets tight through the trees. The road is one lane and narrow, with a tree covered drop on the right. You will come to a left turn going up hill. This is FR413 which becomes too narrow to navigate with a full size vehicle. It may be drivable with a motorcycle. (This condition may have changed over the years.) Past this intersection the road will continue south staying narrow and tight through the trees. Finally it will open up a bit, indicating your getting to the end. The road will head back into the trees and then come out into a wide looping curve to the northwest. You will have views to the north and roads up the hill to your south. Upper section, at last curve photo by: Adam M Though there is a hill climb here, the legal road heads north west into the trees. Shortly it will tie into a road, the one going right, along the same direction, is more of FR413. The road to the left, behind you is FR412.2. FR413 will head toward Apex, while FR412 will head to Dakota Hill and Gamble Gulch.
Data updated - February 3, 2020      4WD Road driven - August 6, 2005      Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2020