Sanderson Gulch  |
| Maps: |
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| USGS 7.5' Map: |
Lime Creek, Swede Corners |
| Statistics: |
| Difficulty: |
Number: |
Miles: |
Altitude: |
Obstacles: |
Time: |
| Easy 1 |
BLM 5210
Cnty N42K |
5.10 |
7,850 to 9,400 ft. |
NA |
2 hours |
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| County: |
Saguache |
| Adopted by: |
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| Managed by: |
BLM
San Luis Valley Field Office |
1313 E. Hwy. 160
Monte Vista, Colorado 81144 |
719-655-2547 |
| Summary: |
Sanderson Gulch is an alternate route to the Crystal Hill Mine.
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| Attractions: |
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Seasonal
Closure: |
Natural - closed by heavy snows.
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| Best Time: |
June - Best
July - Best
August - Best
September - Best
October - Watch for early snows
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Trail Heads
Accessed: |
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| Camping: |
There are not dispersed campsites.
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| Base Camp: |
This would not be a good area to base camp.
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| Fall Colors: |
Poor - There are only small stands of aspen trees.
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| Navigation: |
From Saguache, CO. head south on 8th Street toward Denver Ave for 0.3 miles. Continue onto US-285 S for 17.1 miles. Turn right onto County Road G for 5.0 miles. Turn right onto County Road 42/County Road G for 0.3 miles. Turn right onto County Road 42 G for 0.8 miles. Continue onto County Road 42 for 5.0 miles. Turn left on to County Road N42K. This is the Sanderson Gulch road.
From Del Norte, CO. head north on CO-112 E for 9.1 miles. Turn left onto County Road 43 and go 3.3 miles. Turn right onto County Road D5 and go 0.5 miles. Turn left onto County Road 43.5 and go 2.8 miles. Turn left onto County Road G and go 1.5 miles. Turn right onto County Road 42/County Road G and go 0.3 miles. Turn right onto County Road 42 G and go 0.8 miles. Continue onto County Road 42 for 5.0 miles. Turn left onto County Road N42K. This is the Sanderson Gulch road.
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| History: |
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| Description: |
Sanderson Gulch starts off of County Road 42 and crosses State lands for about 3 miles. You will cross the creek a few times and pass through some gates. The State lands have grazing permits on them. Just after you enter BLM lands you will come to an intersection after crossing the creek again. A right here will take you to Cottonwood Creek. Continue to the left for about a mile and a half where you will come to another intersection. A left here will take you around the Crystal Hill Mine and onto the Biedell Creek road. Continue straight ahead to the group of cabins along the creek. These are most likely homes of those who worked the Crystal Hill Mine in the early 19th Century. The road continues past the cabins for about a mile to a gate at private property.
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Cabins near Crystal Hill Mine
photo by:
Adam M |
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Data updated - November 19, 2015
4WD Road driven - July 22, 2015
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