Guernsey
Maps/GPS:
USGS 7.5' Map:	Jefferson
Statistics:	Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time: Easy 3 FR810 4.41 9,760 to 10,800 ft. N/A 1-2 hours
County:	Park
Adopted by:
Managed by:	Pike National Forest, South Platte Ranger District Pike National Forest, South Park Ranger District	19316 Goddard Ranch Court Morrison, CO 80465 P.O. Box 219, 320 Hwy 285 Fairplay, Colorado 80440	303-275-5610 (719) 836-2031
Summary:	Guernsey is a road that starts off of Hwy 285 below Kenosha Pass and follows a short section of the Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad that crossed Kenosha Pass, and ends up climbing up Guernsey Gulch.
Attractions:	Camping
Seasonal Closure:	Natural - Closed by seasonal snow fall.
Best Time:	June - May still have snow on road. July - Best August - Best September - Best October - Possible first snows on road.
Trail Heads Accessed:
Camping:	There are a few dispersed sites along the start of the road, and then a few more after crossing the ridge and heading up Guernsey Gulch.
Base Camp:	This would be a good place to base camp and explore the roads around Kenosha Pass.
Fall Colors:	Good - The center section of the road travels through many aspen groves.
Navigation:	From Bailey, CO head northwest on US Hwy 285 S toward Main Street and go 17.4 miles. Turn right off of US Hwy 285 onto the Guernsey road. From Fairplay, CO head southeast on Main Street toward 6th Street for 0.5 miles. Turn left onto US Hwy 285 N and go 21.6 miles. Turn left off of US Hwy 285 onto the Guernsey road.
History:
Description:
After leaving Hwy 285 you will be on a wide two track road that climbs a low hill and makes a curve passing a camp site on the right. The road will then make a sharp right turn and connect with the old Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad road bed. You will head through a mix of aspen and pine looping toward the northwest. You will come out into an open area crossing a small gulch and then turning up the small gulch. At the turn you will see a cut in the bank ahead, which is the continuation of the old railroad bed which heads across Hoosier Creek. The road will be a two track as it heads up the gulch. View back into the valley of Hoosier Creek photo by: Adam Mehlberg The road will continue up the narrow gulch in the aspens. Being on the South Platte Ranger District the only camp sites are marked dispersed sites. You will pass one on the left in the gulch. Section in small gulch photo by: Adam Mehlberg The road will come out into an open area as it climbs a small hill. Open area in side gulch of Hoosier Creek photo by: Adam Mehlberg You will head back into the trees again and pass another marked camp site. The road will head through the pines and cross a small opening with aspen passing another marked camp site. From here you will make the last climb up to the top of the ridge into a small wide area in the road with a camp site on the left. Continue down the other side of the ridge entering into the South Park Ranger District. Toward the top of the ridge photo by: Adam Mehlberg The road will stay a two track as it heads northwest along the side of the ridge. At the first curve in to cross a side gulch you will come to an intersection. The road coming in on the right is the T-Pit, FR811, road, stay left here. There will be a few openings in the trees where you will get views of South Park. View of South Park photo by: Adam Mehlberg The road will travel through aspens as it moves in and out of the small side gulches, heading down toward the creek in Guernsey Gulch. Heading through the aspens photo by: Adam Mehlberg When you get down to the creek you will come to a large intersection. The road to the left and right is the Wahl, FR809, road. The right heads back over the ridge to Beaver Creek and connects with the T-Pit, FR811, road, the left heads toward Jefferson and connects with the Deadman, FR427, road. Staying straight you will continue to follow the Guernsey road. You will pass a camp site on the right, and then left, before crossing Guernsey Creek. From here the road will head up a side drainage of Guernsey Gulch for about a mile before ending at a small loop.
Data updated - August 29, 2022     4WD Road driven - August 5, 2022     Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2022