Slide Lake  |
| Maps: |
|
| USGS 7.5' Map: |
Leadville North, Homestake Reservoir |
| Statistics: |
| Difficulty: |
Number: |
Miles: |
Altitude: |
Obstacles: |
Time: |
| Easy 4 |
FR 145 |
3.35 |
10,590 to 11,520 ft. |
Rough sections |
2-3 hrs |
|
| County: |
Lake |
| Adopted by: |
|
|
|
| Managed by: |
San Isabel National Forest,
Leadville Ranger District |
810 Front Street
Leadville, CO 80461 |
719-486-0749 |
| Summary: |
Slide Lake is a rough two track that starts from the end of the Wurts Ditch, FR100, road, and No Name, FR705, 4WD road on the Continental Divide and ends at the trailhead for the Slide Lake Trail, FT1500. |
| Attractions: |
Rough road, Hike access to Holy Cross Wilderness |
Seasonal
Closure: |
Agency - April 1 to July 1 |
| Best Time: |
July - Best
August - Best
September - Best
October - Early snows may block the road |
Trail Heads
Accessed: |
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail - Hike, Horse back, Mountain Bike
Slide Lake Trail, FT1500 - Hike, Horse back, Mountain Bike (to Wilderness boundary)
|
| Camping: |
There are dispersed campsites along the first half of the road, and one at the Slide Lake Trailhead parking area. |
| Base Camp: |
This would be a good area to base camp and explore the 4WD roads around Tennessee Pass. |
| Fall Colors: |
Poor - Mainly pine forest. |
| Navigation: |
From Leadville, CO head north on Harrison Ave toward W 6th Street for 0.2 miles. Turn right onto E 9th Street and go 0.1 miles. Turn left and go 1.0 mile. Turn left onto US-24 West and go 7.1 miles. Turn left onto Meadows Drive and go 0.9 miles. Turn right onto Wuritz Ditch Road and go 0.7 miles. Go past the Wurts Ditch Trailhead and continue straight onto Forest Road 145.
From Red Cliff head south on US-24 E and go 13.9 miles. Turn right onto Meadows Drive and go 0.9 miles. Turn right onto Wuritz Ditch Road and go 0.7 miles. Go past the Wurts Ditch Trailhead and continue straight onto Forest Road 145.
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| History: |
|
| Description: |
Starting from the seasonal gate on the Continental Divide, the road will head north into the forest following the Wurts Ditch. Shortly it will turn west and begin a gradual climb up through the forest. The road will get a bit rougher as you climb. The trees will begin to thin a bit and you will pass two dispersed campsites less than a quarter mile apart. Past the campsites the trees will open into a meadow area.
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Middle section of road
photo by:
Adam M |
The road will head in and out of the trees, and then pass through a larger meadow.
 |
Open meadow
photo by:
Adam M |
The trees will begin to thin out as the road heads through small patches of forest interspersed with open areas. You will come to a large S curve that climbs a small hill. There will be fewer trees here giving you some views to the south. You will pass a parking space on the right for a 10th Mountain Hut, which is in the trees on the left side of the road. Past this parking area the road will continue into some taller trees before coming to its end at the Slide Lake Trailhead. Here there is a picnic table and a dispersed campsite. The parking area is intermixed in the trees. At the west end of the parking area the Slide Lake Trail climbs a gradual 0.5 miles up to the lake.
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Slide Lake
photo by:
Adam M |
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Slide Lake
photo by:
Adam M |
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Slide Lake
photo by:
Adam M |
After visiting the lake, you head back down the way you came.
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Heading back down
photo by:
Adam M |
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Road back into the trees
photo by:
Adam M |
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Rough section in a small clearing
photo by:
Adam M |
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Data updated - January 1, 2021
4WD Road driven - September 6, 2020
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