0wlshead Mtns, Death Valley

 

Virgin River Gorge

Some campsites come furnished at no extra charge.

Dopey tortoise at exit 18. I moved him out of the road for his own good.

The part of the gorge without the interstate

View from the north rim

 1. Exit 18 at Cedar Pocket Wash is the only exit in the gorge. The campgrounds there are $8 a night but that can't last. A map at the restroom shows all the new trails in the area. Posted 2026

2. CEDAR POCKET WASH LOOP - the best hike in the gorge is up the wash then back on a ridge to the east. At the beginning of the westbound exit ramp there is a long pullout. A DIY trail there at N36 57427, W113 47453 goes along a gully and past a fence to the main trail that goes into the wash. Up the wash in the narrows there is one fall 5 feet high with a ladder. On past that it's best to get on the right bank at 58896, 47574 then on to point 3064 then turn east thru a saddle. There I could see an easy route up to the north ridge of peak 3771. I went up and had a sheep trail to follow. I came back down then to another trail at 59434, 46333 el 3440 and leveled off and walked a super easy sandstone ridge for 2 miles to the descent ridge at 57799, 46103 el 3050. It's the next one west of TANA BM. I went on down to a fence at 57629, 46571 and slid under then walked outside the interstate guardrail to get back. 6 hours, 15 minutes and 10 miles with 2000 gain and nearly all easy. No cattle for decades and they never got up on the ridges. I put a track on peakbagger under peak 3794. SHORT LOOP - from the pullout there is road going up to the north saddle of peak 2871. A trail there goes to peak 2912 but there is a fork that goes left around the peak then merges back with the other trail and continuing north signs can be followed down to the narrows then back down the wash. Just before the interstate there is a sign for a trail back to the start. 90 minutes, 700 gain. Posted 2026

3. SULLIVANS CANYON - the best version of this canyon is to go up Mountain Sheep Wash then down Sullivans. Hikers park on the eastbound side of I-15 at mp 16.8.  A guard rail is just to the east then an easy gravel slope goes down to a culvert where the fence is cut. I crossed 10 feet up from a rapids at N36 56393, W113 48920. It was waist deep with few rocks and 120 CFS recorded at Virgin. I left the wading shoes there and went up on the high bank to a cairned trail that goes to the campground. I left it to a trail at 56432, 48410 that goes into Mtn Sheep Wash. I strolled up that to a fence at el 3600. There is an option to go left to the water tank and walk a newer road but might be longer. Check the sat image. I went up right to the overgrowing road on the topo and walked it and merged with the other road then up to the pack trail on the rim of Sullivans just past point 5270. The trail drops at a fence and goes down to el 5000 and fades. There is a shorter option here to go straight down a ridge and hit the trail at el 4000. I stayed with the trail and found it again going down a ridge at el 4500 to a spring with tubs and cottonwoods. Then I lost it by going too high and got it again at 52189, 47335 el 4040 and followed it on down the ridge. At bottom I got on the left bank at 52364, 47859 then down to the main wash and on down. Just before the I-15 there is a trail over the low rim that leads back to the crossing. 9 hours, 16 miles and 3400 gain, never steep. I did this in shorts but got scratches at the high elevations. This is entirely in the Paiute Wilderness. It's a stretch to call all those roads wilderness. Posted Oct, 2026

4. NORTH RIM - a decent road goes up on the north rim of the gorge. The Bulldog Pass Rd leaves highway 91 at mp 1.9 and goes 10 miles to a main fork at point 4464 and then a road climbs up on the plateau and follows the rim to a fork at peak 4804. Subaru types make it that far then ebikes and 4wds can take the right fork along the rim for a mile to a campsite at the end of the road. I walked on out to point 4105. I put a track on peakbagger under peak 5155. Posted 2026

5. SCRUB BENCHMARK el 6786 has a jeep road up the south side like the topo shows. It turns bad at the 5400 line and I doubt ever gets fixed. Another option is to walk up the ridge from Bulldog Pass. Posted 2026

6. BEAVER DAM AZ HIGH POINT el 5060 is noted on peakbagger to the SW of Bulldog Pass. About 5 miles in from highway 91 on the Bulldog Pass Rd  there is a 4wd road forking right heading toward the peak and power lines. The road along the lines leads to a ridge at N37 00317, W113 50661. I went up that to a sheep trail at 00023, 50298 el 4440. It goes up along a gully then up a ridge to el 4700 then angles up to the right to the rim. The peak is to the right and a faint trail circles up to the left. It's worthwhile to walk down to point 4501 then come back up the canyon. It's 1200 gain just doing the peak. I spent nearly 4 hours wandering. Posted 2026.

Southeastern San Rafael Swell

Hunt Draw area

Farnsworth Canyon

 1. I had a Verizon signal in many spots along highway 24 between I-70 and Goblin Valley SP. No recent cattle in this area. The only running water I found is a solar well near mp 139 on highway 24. A good dirt road goes a half a mile west to it. I could have used an ebike on every road. Posted 2026

2. THREE FINGER CANYON LOOP - this canyon is the second one to the north of Greasewood Tank. Uneva Mine Canyon is the one south of Moonshine Tanks . Both show adits on the topo and 4wd roads to the mouth which are open. This is a Steve Allen route that goes up Uneva then south over 2 saddles to Three Finger. The best road in leaves highway 24 at mp 152.7 and goes past Uneva and on to I-70 at mp 147 where gates allow access in either direction. Some sand is on that road.  I parked on the Uneva road where it makes a hard turn to the north near the mouth. I went up canyon to N38 53102, W110 27827 where the road goes south past cabin ruins then makes a hard left then I soon left it and headed south to the main saddle. I went down the other side on the smooth left bank then up to the next saddle using the left bank at first then center to get over the saddle and down into Three Finger. At bottom are road segments on the left bank to get to the mouth where good petroglyphs are on the left just before the 4wd road. I walked the road to a shortcut that has been blocked and at bottom of that I went to 51669, 27436 to get into a wash. I went on in the wash to a trail at 51867, 27345 that goes up to a bench. I walked that to a trail at 52174, 27205 that goes into the wash that leads back to the start. At the last half mile I got on the rim and had a trail. 3 and a half hours, 6 miles with 700 noticeable gain and not steep.  I put a track on peakbagger under peak 5671 and there is a trip report for that tricky side trip.  Posted 2026

3. SHADSCALE MESA is along the river just south of I-70. It's a short hike to the high point but a traverse is a lot more interesting. There is a low budget interchange on I-70 at mp 147. There is an underpass and gates on both sides of the highway. A half mile south on a crude dirt road there is a sign to lock a bike to. Then drive to mp 156.4 on highway 24 and turn and park at N38 52287, W110 23158 where a steep road goes up the mesa. Walk the road up then walk the rim to a canyon at 52928, 25123 and go up and over the high point. Then keep going on the rim to 54736, 4977 where a sheep trail goes down to a saddle and follows an ancient road down to the flats where the sign is. It took me an hour to pedal my bike around to the south side where the hike starts and there is a paved shoulder the whole way. The hike takes 3 or 4 hours, easy. I put a track on peakbagger. LITTLE SHADSCALE is what I call the small mesa to the south. I parked at a sand slide at the south end next to the pavement. Then I walked north on the road for a quarter mile then west up a valley to a canyon at 51541, 23745. I went up that to the top then north to the block that looks to be the high point. I went left around it and saw a possible route up but would have some tricky walking above a cliff. So I put it off until I can bring a friend and let them go first. I walked the mesa to the south end at 51261, 22910 and down the slide to the start. 2 and a half hours, easy. No cattle. Posted 2025

4. HATT BENCHMARK el 4608 is east of Shadscale Mesa. The old highway runs south of it thru Jessies Twist to the rim then 4wd goes north all the way to the summit. The last 3/4 mile is rough so I walked it. This is an excuse to take a cycle or ebike ride thru good bentonite. Posted 2026

5. BENTONITE HILLS - the best hike in bentonite I ever took is in the area south of I-70 and east of highway 24. Turn off 24 at mp 155.9 and go straight thru a 4-way then stay left at main forks to a wash at N38 50989, W110 19764. Go 3/4 mile up that then walk the main wash to 51027, 18831 where it bends right then on to a washed out road at 50956, 18464. That goes up to the rim then go east over mesa 4606 then down to a lower rim and drop off it at 51201, 17058 and down to the flats. Go on to 50812, 17248 then thru a gap at 50364, 18442 then walk most directly back to the start. 3 or 4 hours, easy. All roads easy 4wd. Ebikes make all but the last 3/4 mile of the 4 miles of dirt roads. Posted 2025

6. HORSE BENCH el 4848 is a minor peak on the bench of the same name. Whiley Hall did a short hike from the south but that's a lot of gas to drive out there. Maybe she has an uncle who owns a gas station. I made the hike longer by coming up the west canyons. Turn off 24 at mp 155.9 and go south at a 4-way for 4.6 miles to the wash south of point 4261. It's easy 4wd and ebikeable for nearly 3 miles up the wash to a fork at N38 48187, W110 18388.  Walk the right fork past point 4411 to the peak then back down the other fork. I got in it down a steep slope at 48481, 17606. 2 and a half hours with 300 noticeable gain. The canyons are the main attraction and the one at point 4411 is best. Firm washes that day. Posted 2026

7. GREASEWOOD TANK is at one of the pristine canyons cutting thru the reef. A good road goes in from highway 24 at mp 152.7. It bends north and near BM 4313 is the main wash that goes a bit over 2 miles to the tank and not open to vehicles. There is a series of tanks with hundreds of toads hopping around. I went on up the narrows to where it opens up. I spent 2 hours, 40 minutes. Posted 2026

8. PEAK 6162 is on the south rim of Straight Wash.  I followed a Whiley Hall track. At mp 147 on highway 24 there is an easy 4wd road that goes 2.5 miles to the Zero Gravity Canyon TH. A trail runs along the rim of it then after a mile  you have to veer off to a canyon at N38 46040, W110 30235. Either drop down it or use the rim on the right, which I like better at least for the ascent. Get on a ridge at 45855, 30437 and go up it to 45916, 30482 then drop right into a canyon and go up it and get on the left rim when it gets tedious. At 46010, 31088 there is an easy passage going up into a narrow wash and when that opens go left and down to 46053, 31295 to get on the final segment. Near the top is a gully low left at 46303, 31993 that avoids boulders. 5 hours, a bit over 7 miles with 2000 gain. Easy terrain. Posted 2026

9. ERNIE BENCHMARK el 6403 is the best hike I did on the reef top. At mp 147 on highway 24 there is an easy 4wd road that goes 2.5 miles to the Zero Gravity Canyon TH. A trail runs along the rim of it then after a mile you have to veer off to a canyon at N38 46040, W110 30235. I went down it staying straight thru a saddle to get to the canyon running west of peak 4948. I went up a fork at N38 45008, W110 31139 and came to a tricky chockstone in a tenth mile. A bypass is on the left then I got on the right bank and went up to the end of the canyon and over into a wash at 45233, 31732. Some deep potholes are just up canyon at 45343, 31954 and just past those I went up the ridge at 45343, 32001 and just stayed on it to the summit. Then I dropped off the rim down a gully at 46085, 32818 and came to a 10 foot stairway not harder than class 3. I went on down the canyon and cut over to the next fork at 46224, 32502 to bypass a cliff. I went down the left side of the fork back into the main fork and down to huge boulders blocking the way. A class 3 route is on the right and then I came to catttails. I exited there at 46052, 31627 and walked the easiest ground up thru a saddle at 46119, 31502 and down into a right fork to 46055, 31296 and then exited up to the left and straight over into the next canyon. I walked it down to a right bend then left it to 46009, 31085 and down into a canyon to 45942, 30681 and on down canyon and up to the right rim at 45915, 30479. I walked the rim to the left and horseshoed down to a saddle and dropped down and thru a gap at 45901, 30337 to get back to the ascent route. 7 hours, 11 miles with 2500 gain. I put a track on peakbagger. I combined tracks by Basnet and Hall. Posted 2026

10. PEAK 6196 is on the west rim of Ernie Canyon. Not on the topo but peakbagger notes it with a track by Hall that I followed up. Turn off highway 24 at mp 141.6 and follow easy 4wd past Lost Spring to the fork at point 4889. The right fork goes to a stock tank but is closed so I walked it to a trail going up a ridge at N38 42219, W110 33420. The ridge tops out and I went on down into a big valley then up a drainage at 42743, 33771 and topped out at 42829, 34041. I went on to a slickrock shelf at 43125, 34471 then right of peak 5904 up a little ridge at 43679, 34976 and on to 43872, 35128 where I crossed a neck. Then up the other side at 44025, 35015 but it might be easier to go up left of that. That tops out then the route drops down across a little canyon but a pothole with water blocked it that day. So I skipped that last bit to the peak and got on a ridge at 44069, 34992 el 6100 and walked it down SE toward peak 5642. At 43746, 34544 el 5800 I went down a 4 foot drop, nothing risky. That's the hardest thing on the hike. I went on down to the right to a gorgeous basin. I went downstream into a narrows blocked by a pothole, so I walked the right rim with a lot of slickrock on down to a drainage at 43037, 33725 and it took me down to the big valley. I went left of a dome down to a mega pothole at 42869, 33277 and might have made it down that canyon but used the right rim instead to walk above more huge potholes. I soon hit the flats and strolled back to the start.  5 hours, 16 minutes and 9 miles with 1700 gain. Easy grades. I put a track up and that's all that's needed most of the time. Posted 2026

11. IRON WASH, ERNIE CANYON LOOP - these two canyons cut thru the reef and a trail connects them on the back side.  Turn off highway 24 at mp 141.6 and follow easy 4wd past Lost Spring to the TH at the mouth of Ernie. Then ride a bike nearly 4 miles to the mouth of Iron. It's an easy stroll up canyon then take Lone Man Draw to peak 5642. It's shortest to go up along the east side of the peak to the trail at N38 44969, W110 35446. But I went on past it to huge potholes and climbed up there at 44832, 35825 and then to the trail that goes into Ernie. 5 hours, 12 miles with 300 noticeable gain for the hiking part . I put notes on peakbagger on the track for peak 6196. This comes from the Steve Allen book but he didn't shuttle and had to slog miles of spongey sand between the THs. Count me out on that part, baby. All the roads are on the topo and not too soft for my Zizzo. LOWER LOOP - this one starts at Lost Spring and goes down Iron Wash and back up Ernie. From Ernie TH, I coasted on my bike down nearly 2 miles to a corral near the spring then walked on into Iron. Soon there is a slot and the left rim has a route down. I strolled on down thru a cottonwood forest then left to Ernie at N38 44883, W110 29594.  Half an air mile up canyon is a tall, dark cliff on the right with faded petroglyphs at the far end. Then comes a big fall with a class 3 bypass on the left, or go downstream to an easier one up the opposite rim. The last thing is a minor narrows and easiest to walk the left rim. Then a closed  road at 44011, 31475 goes to the Ernie TH.  3 and a half hours, 8.3 miles with 100 noticeable gain for the hiking part. This comes from Road Trip Ryan but he walked the road. I'm gonna start calling him Road Walk Ryan. This is an enjoyable hike only if you have a shuttle and cattle don't come back. Posted 2026

12. NORTH FORK IRON WASH - this is the next one east of Ernie Canyon and a good loop can be done thru both. Turn off highway 24 at mp 141.6 and follow easy 4wd past Lost Spring to the TH at the mouth of Ernie. I walked north on a closed road to high ground at N38 44099, W110 31515 then to 44344, 31873 south of peak 5060. I dropped down and on to the main fork and up it. Soon there is a slot with minor falls that is easily passed on the right. On up canyon there are easy boulders here and there then a fall at the 5760 line can be passed on the left. At the main saddle north of peak 6314 I went up the left side then on top went far right for an easy gully down. It's downstream all the way back and at el 5600 I stayed right to pass some drops. 6 hours, 13 miles and nearly zero strenuous gain. This is the best canyon loop I did. Iron has never had cattle, mines or dirt bikes. Posted 2026

13. OLD WOMAN WASH LOOP - I walked a mine road up the west rim then dropped into Farnsworth Canyon for the return. I came in from the west near the state park at point 5270. The first mile is graded then easy 4wd to the Farnsworth TH at point 5165. I locked my Zizzo to a sign and went on another 1.6 miles to Swazy Seep then walked north to the 4wd road shown on the topo. At the 5160 line I took a short detour to pictographs at N38 40928, W110 35667. Then I walked the main wash in front of the pics to get back on the road. It goes to the prospects west of point 5977 then I went NW to a class 2 gully at 41966, 37460. I went down trending left to a mine road that leads down to the wash of Farnsworth. Down canyon on the left at 40959, 37439 is a trail that goes up to good pics in a recess. The last thing is a narrows that can have one foot deep puddles that I straddled. 4 hours, 8 miles and 1000 easy gain for the hiking part. I went north back to the highway at mp 139 el  4886. This is an easier version of a Steve Allen hike and the easiest of the reef top hikes. All roads easy 4wd. Posted 2026

14. PEAK 6286 is on the east rim of Old Woman Wash west of peak 6016. I went directly to it on a Hall track then looped back by way of the Iron Wash Rim. The best road in leaves highway 24 near mp 139 and is easy 4wd. I parked north of peak 5002 and walked to a ridge at N38 40912, W110 34352 and up to 41266, 34924 then to the right of peak 5531. An easy way down there is at 41514, 35333 then I went to point 5565 then point 5889 and on to the summit. I then went SE down a drainage and south of peak 6016 and on to smooth ground at 42687, 35998. I walked that past the top of the F on the topo and on to the rim at el 5820. I went down the rim past peak 5738 then south down a drainage at 42429, 34723. There is a drop where it meets the main canyon but there is an easy way down far left. I went down canyon to a gorge then turned up a fork to walk the west side of the big cliffs and then up at 41847, 35069 and over then walked down the rim of a canyon on my right. I stayed on the easy rim until domes forced me into the creekbed where a narrows starts. It was flooded so I went up west of peak 5261 and then down by way of the Mormon Tanks and on down to the road and back.  6 hours, 10 miles and 1900 gain. This is the second best of the reef top hikes. Posted 2026

15. ROUGH BENCHMARK el 5257 is on Big Wild Horse Mesa south of GV State Park. The road in comes down from the north in Wild Horse Creek and has a lot of sharp dips that might stop jeeps. OHVs and ebikes have no trouble getting on the mesa next to Wild on the topo. I started there and walked around the right side of the peak then on to see how far I would get. It cliffs out north of peak 5218. I came back and went over the peak then down at N38 31115, W110 44644 and then west to the rim of Rough Canyon and back. 4 hours, 7.7 miles and no steeper than RR tracks except for the 150 gain up the peak. ROUGH CANYON is what I call the one north of the peak and is good to do on the drive out. The wash at 31400, 45985 goes into the narrows where minor falls are. Two are 4 feet high and I scooted backwards up those then on past peak 5253 for a view at the rim. It took 2 hours and nearly 5 miles to get there. No sign of humanity here and I STAYED OFF the banks to keep it that way. I saw no way up the rims. I put a track on peakbagger under peak 5562. Posted 2026

16. HUNT DRAW is west of GV State Park. I did a loop up canyon and back over the west rim. The road out of the state park is paved to Little Wild Horse Canyon then easy 4wd for 9 miles to Hunt. I walked up it into a shallow gorge with one fall that has a trail on the right. The canyon opens up and I went left to a wash at N38 34060, W110 53204 and over a divide then down a gully at 33980, 53487 to get into a main wash. It has one fall passed on the right using a narrow ledge. That ledge can be avoided by going up 20 feet or so. I went on down then left up a side canyon at 33067, 54683. It bends left then ends and I started up but then I saw I could just stay low on an easy bench. Then I went up a gully at 33273, 54363 and up to a saddle and should have gone thru but I went up along the nasty ridge to the next saddle and thru to lower ground and on up to the high peak labeled peak 5291 on peakbagger. Then I went to 33203, 53659 to get into the canyon running parallel to Hunt and on down to the road and then had less than a half mile back. The best bentonite is in that canyon.  6 hours, 11 miles and 600 noticeable gain but only 300 gain if skipping the peak which I will do from now on. It's not the highlight. I put track on peakbagger. Posted 2026

17. STRAIGHT WASH is a dull hike but can be spiced up by starting on top of the Swell and walking down the east rim. I camped at mp 148 where the wash passes under highway 24. Then I rode my cycle up I-70 to exit 131 then took a paved road on the north side that goes east to an underpass. Its turns to dirt there and Subaru types can make it nearly a mile past Hyde Draw Reservoir. From there I walked to the closed road that goes to Grease BM. I went over the peak then to N38 48889, W110 31517 then to a wash at 48659, 31694 that leads to the rim just down from peak 6388. I went down it to the steep part and took an easy drainage down at 48079, 31537. I resumed down the rim then at 47779, 31512 I dropped left into a wash for a short way then back on the rim. At 47597, 31387 there is a hiker trail running down the right side of a wash. The wash opens and I lost the trail. It likely goes over to the rim but I merged to the rim anyway and went on down and cut across a gooseneck then out thru the gorge to the 4wd road. I walked it a bit then took the wash to camp. 5 and a half hours, 10 miles and the only strain is the 200 up the peak and that can be skipped. The trailheads are 40 miles apart but I was heading west anyway. I rode my Zizzo from the interstate to retrieve my cycle. This is way too easy but that can be remedied by going in reverse. I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2026

Salida, CO

Pass Creek Lake

Lost Lake

Dead Horse Gulch

 

Mount Antero el 14200

Browns Canyon

Brown's Canyon in the 1800s

Looking down Gladstone Ridge at Sheep Mountain and Mount Princeton

Mount Harvard,
Mount Rejection and peak 13209

Cottonwood Lake

1. Salida has a super Walmart. A bike trail runs from the store to the river. Another trail connects to Poncha Springs along county 120. Campers use county 250 on the way to the Shavano TH and also the area around the Browns Creek TH off county 272.  Buena Vista has a City Market and campers use county 375 north of town. Highway 306 has campsites up from Rainbow Lake and more are up past Cottonwood Lake on a good dirt road. Posted 2026

2. PAHLONE PEAK el 12667 is an easy one way hike from Monarch Pass to Willow Creek. I spotted my cycle on FR222 at about the 9500 line and coasted down on my Zizzo to my truck and drove 16 miles to the pass. Then I walked the CDT to peak 12195 and took a left fork that goes toward the north saddle of that peak. The trail veers left about 100 feet above the saddle so I left it and walked an elk trail into the saddle then on up and left of peak 12205 and on to the summit. I descended the north ridge then went high right of peak 11848 and then over Metamorphic BM and down to N38 30428, W106 15185 to get thru deadfall. A trail at 30568, 14953 leads 400 feet to FR222 el 11400. It took nearly 6 hours and 10 and a half miles to get to FR222. I had another hour to my cycle and I shortcutted the road at the 10520 line. This is nearly all trails and tundra. Subaru types can make it to campsites on FR222 which is all easy 4wd but I didn't see it all. See the track I put on peakbagger. Posted 2026.

3. MOUNT PECK el 12208 is an easy one next to Monarch Pass. A motorized trail runs from the visitor center and forks in a quarter mile. Right is a single track and it's best for bikes but cycles can't turn around or pass on that. So I stayed left on the wider trail and it took me to the north saddle of the peak where power lines run thru. I went on to the 11500 line and parked my XT225. Then I walked the CDT along the west side of the peak to the SE saddle then up and over. 90 minutes with 700 gain. Posted 2026

4. TAYLOR MOUNTAIN el 13651 has a road to el 12600. I went in on the eastern leg of FR228 which departs US 50 near mp 209. It turns rocky at el 10400 and improves at el 11300. Parking and camping is at el 12000 and I wouldn't take a 4wd beyond there. Cycles can go to el 12240 where loose rocks start and then OHVs can drive on rocks to the end. I walked up on tundra to the east ridge then up. 90 minutes and 1000 gain but I got my 125 to the 12600 line. Posted 2026

5. BILLINGS LAKE - the road in leaves Maysville and goes paved for  3 miles then another graded mile to Angel of Shavano CG. Camping is allowed beyond there and it's easy 4wd for 8 miles to the lake with no rocks in the road except for the last 7.99 miles. A TH is at the lake and I saw a Toyota Venza there. I rode my XT225 in the stock gearing but should have been lower. There are peaks around the lake that look class 2. Posted 2026

6. GREEN CREEK TRAIL - County 221 goes in and the trail starts at point 8577  as the topo shows. Subaru types make it in there. There are campsites. The trail is motorized but the only ride I would contemplate is a one way down from Monarch Pass on a mtn bike. And yeah baby, it would be bumpy. Posted 2026

7. PASS CREEK LAKE, PEAK 13472 - county 212 goes in to the TH el 9600 but not graded. I saw a Subaru at the TH so how hard can it be? The trail goes 3 and a half miles to the lake with 1800 gain. I stopped there but could see it would be easy to get on the north rim and then try for the peak. The trail is motorized but few want to tackle that rocky mess. Posted 2026 

8. MOUNT SHAVANO el 14229 has a trail the whole way and has been realigned above 12700. It's a wuss 14er. County 250 goes in and signs point the way to the TH el 9750. It's a bumpy road but Subaru types and ebikes can make it. Bikes could be used for the first half mile of the trail. 7 hours, nearly 10 miles and 4500 gain. There is camping along the road in but cattle were in the national forest part. Posted 2026 

9. MARSHALL PASS has a 19th century RR grade thru it that is now a dirt road. I made a loop by going south out of Poncha Springs on highway 285 to Mears Jct. A climbing lane goes that far. Then I followed the map thru the pass down to Sargents then thru Old Monarch Pass and back to town. That's a bit over 70 miles and Subaru types can do it. Posted 2026

10. UTE CREEK is on the north side of Salida. Graded county 175 goes up canyon making it easy to walk down the west rim one way. Logging trails from a century or more ago run along parts of the rim. There is a parking area at the 7600 line about a third mile past the end of pavement. I left my cycle there then drove on up 4.3 miles to BM 8924 and then walked over peak 9402 and peak 9382 and on to the east saddle of peak 8762. A trail runs down the south ridge of that peak and I left it to go down a ridge but should have stayed on it to N38 34810, W105 59155. The sat image shows it going down there but it's easy to go down without a trail. 3 hours, 5 miles with 900 gain. Super clean forest of pinyon and ponderosa pines. I put a track on peakbagger under peak 9402. Posted 2026

11. DEAD HORSE GULCH drains into Ute Creek. I went up canyon then back over the rim on logging trails. I parked on county 175 about a third mile past pavement where the topo shows gravel pits then walked a closed road to a trail at N38 34003, W105 58895. It soon merges with a main trail that goes to the canyon. I strolled up that easy creekbed and took a left fork that goes up to the east side of peak 8722. I used a logging road at 34568, 57780 to get around the peak to the south saddle then a game trail goes on to the ridge north of peak 8242. A logging trail reading 34117, 58379  runs down it to the start. 3 hours, 5 miles with 1200 gain and all easy. Clean forest. Lazy hikers could do an easy one way hike down Dead Horse with just a car and ebike.  Posted 2026

12. CAMERON MOUNTAIN el 10993 is mostly a tundra walk. I parked on FR182 at a  cattleguard el 9400. Then I walked thru the east saddle of peak 9912 and up to the right to another saddle el 9880 then up the ridge. Less than 3 hours and 1600  gain. Posted 2026

13. GRAPHITE RIDGE el 9965 is along FR185. County 175 goes up Ute Canyon then there are signs to follow. I parked at a fork on FR185A on the north side of the peak then strolled up. Subaru types can make it. FR185 goes on north to highway 285 and is easy 4wd. I put track on peakbagger showing the road. Posted 2026

14. H-44 BENCHMARK el 8200+ is east of Hecla Junction and a third mile NE of peak 8224. An easy loop can be done in clean forests. County 194 is graded from Hecla. I parked in 1.7 miles el 7640 and walked mine roads to get at the peak reading N38 38797, W106 03790. Then I went to peak 8224 and then NE down to county 194 where it meets the river. I then had a half mile back to the start. 2 hours and 700 gain plus some easy gain on the road at the end. Posted 2026 

15. BROWNS CANYON NATIONAL MONUMENT - I made a loop walking up canyon on the RR tracks and then circled back east. FR184 is easy 4wd (opens April 16} and ebikeable out of Turret to a closed road running north of point 8535. It's better to go on another mile and park in Green Gulch but a flood chewed it up. I walked the closed road to the canyon running south of peak 8326. Just past the peak I got on the left bank at N38 39185, W106 01705 el 8100 then down a ridge to the east saddle of peak 7870. And then back down to the creekbed which is smooth gravel. I went on down to the tracks and walked up canyon to 42572, 03130 (just south of BM 7555) where a trail goes up along the left side of a canyon to a mine. It goes on a bit more then it's easy to walk the creekbed to cabin ruins. I turned right there reading 42691, 02566 and went thru a saddle at 42632, 02390 to get into a canyon to take me along the west side of peak 9082 and into Spring Gulch. I had some light brush there for a quarter mile then got on the left bank at 41693, 01168 and went bank to bank up canyon to the road then back. 7 and a half hours, a bit over 13 miles and the gain is mostly easy. I did this in shorts but Spring Gulch is borderline. Real men can do it. A shorter drive is to go in from Hecla Jct then wade the river at the north end of the campground. In low water of course. I put a track on peakbagger under peak 9082. RUBY MTN TH - later I came in that way following the track Hall put up for peak 9082. It's a graded road to the TH and the trail goes up into a saddle and splits. Left is the main trail and a shortcut trail goes over into a canyon and down to the edge of private land. If landowners block that, there is an easy detour by climbing out of the canyon from the 7680 line to 44836, 03935 then level off to the main trail. Drop down a steep trail at 44683, 03929 that meets the main trail again at the flats. I followed the main trail to 43438, 02012 and dropped into Cottonwood Creek and walked it to the trestle. Near the mouth it's easy to walk the right slope above boulders. Then a trail runs on the bank of the river back to meet the main trail. It gets rough but not bad. I did all in shorts but lower Cottonwood Creek is cluttered but there is always a passage. That took 4 hours, 8 miles and mostly easy grades. I measured that it would be 8 miles from Ruby Mtn down thru Browns Canyon to the campround at Hecla. Posted 2026 

16. MOUNT ANTERO el 14269 has a jeep road to el 13700. Some drive the whole thing but most drive part way. The most interesting hiking route is up the trail in Little Browns Creek then back on the north rim of it. County 272 goes in to trail #1429 like the  topo shows. Cars make it there. The trail is maintained with signs and it tops out at the jeep road el 12800. The last stream was at 12600. The jeep road goes on up to a saddle el 13700 then a trail goes on to the summit. Then I just walked the east ridge to N38 40452, W106 13918 el 13650 where I could see the route down to the tundra. I went down on rocks but not sliding to 40413, 13757 el 13200 where I could go right of center on easy dirt and scree to the tundra el 12900. It took 100 minutes to get there from the summit. I went on down the ridge in an easy forest to point 11575 then point 10913 and hit the trail at 39887, 11275 el 10200 and strolled back. 9 and a half hours, 14 miles with 5500 gain. No brush and minimal deadfall. There was no sign of humanity on the descent ridge but maybe a cairn at el 12700 but I didn't check it. Some descend down Browns Creek but that's over 20 miles. And it gets horse traffic so take a clothespin. Posted 2026

17. MOUNT PRINCETON el 14197 has an easy 4wd to el 11800 but it has long segments with no room to pass. County 322 is paved to the lower TH el 8900. Some drive on to the towers el 11000. Ebikes should make it that far. Some campsites are on the west side of peak 11024. The upper TH is at N38 44667, W106 12923 with minimal parking room and hard to turnaround. Jeeps can go on to the end of the road where there is room for a dozen to park. The trail goes to a fork at 44699, 13823 el 12750. Left is easiest and it goes up to the ridge then various DIY trails go to the summit. It took me a bit over 2 hours to get there from the upper TH where I parked my 125. With a 4wd I would drive up before dawn then on the drive down have someone walking a half mile ahead to warn uphill traffic. The switchbacks have room to pass. Posted 2026

18. MONUMENTAL PEAK el 13369 is an easy loop from the trail at Chalk Creek Pass. Cars can make it to St. Elmo then Subaru types and ebikes can get to Hancock. 4wds can go on a mile and a half more to Hancock Lake but there is a rough spot at the last half mile el 11400. I parked there and walked to the pass then up on stable talus to el 12650 where tundra starts. I went on up the ridge over peak 13254 and on to Monumental. I could see an easy tundra ridge running NE down that peak. I walked it to N38 35800, W106 21292 and on down to a faint mine trail below the 12400 line and went right on that to get down. Then I just strolled along the left side of ponds to get back to the trail. 4 and a half hours, 6.5 miles with 2500 gain. No brush. Posted 2026 

19. MOUNT HARVARD el 14420 has a trail up from the end of FR365 el 9850. The last 4 miles is not maintained but Subaru types make it and cars could get close and ebike it. There are campsites along the road. At 11500 there is sign for the Columbia trail. The summit of Harvard has some class 3 talus. On the descent I left the trail at el 12750 and walked tundra to Bear Lake then down tundra in a drainage east of the lake to get back on the trail. 9 hours, 14 miles and 4500 gain. Now I can brag I went to Harvard. Posted 2026

20. COTTONWOOD LAKE has a graded road in from highway 306. Camping is allowed past the lake. 6 miles in the road goes easy 4wd. Then FR348 goes left up to the rim. I was told it is public but not easy. After that is the Green Timber Gulch TH. It goes to peak 13078. It took me a bit over 2 hours and 2800 gain to get to the summit. The main road goes on to a mine el 11900. FR349 is easy 4wd to el 12500 on the south ridge of peak 13218 like the topo shows. It's a tundra walk to that summit. Posted 2026

21. MOUNT YALE el 14194 will likely be the best 14er I ever do. The standard trail goes up from highway 306 at Denny Creek. The last fifth mile to the summit is talus with cairns. When I saw the easy tundra down the east side I couldn't resist. A rough trail goes down the east ridge over peak 13420 but that peak looked tedious so I dropped off the trail into the basin and to springs at N38 51065, W106 18352 el 12800. It's obvious from there to walk tundra and a couple of short talus fields to get back to the trail on the ridge at el 12000.then on to the Main Range Trail and down it to the Avalanche TH. A camper there gave me a ride back. 7 hours, 10 miles and 4300 gain. Using an ebike for the shuttle is risky as there is no shoulder. But bikes ride the highway anyway. Posted 2026

22. PTARMIGAN LAKE has a good trail at mp 4.9 on highway 306 with the option to keep going to the pass then to peak 13038. It's easy tundra from the pass to the peak. I stayed right at N38 46643, W106 22058 to pass a talus pile along the way. There is more easy tundra  on to peak 13209. I retraced back to 47060, 21422 and dropped down an elk trail then left on tundra to 47355, 21777 el 12040. There I went down along the edge of trees and then into the trees but not far from the edge. I went to 47458, 21858 el 11600 then to 47450, 21921 and then had a tenth mile of deadfall before a logging road that leads back to the trail. 6 hours, 9.6 miles with 2600 gain and nearly all easy. No brush or talus. This hike and the one below are the most enjoyable hikes I did out of Buena Vista. I put tracks on peakbagger under both peaks. Posted 2026

23. GLADSTONE RIDGE is an easy one way hike. I camped next to the Avalanche TH on highway 306 then rode up to the Ptarmigan Lake TH and walked the trail past the lake into a pass on the ridge. Then just walked the ridge over peak 13209 and down the ridge on spotty elk trails. Below peak 12100 at el 11900 there is a major elk trail running right of center on down past the west sadde el 11300 of peak 11858. It likely goes thru the south sadde and would be easier, but this time I went over the peak then down to a ridge at N38 48143, W106 16835 el 11400. The ridge becomes a wide slope and I hit an elk trail at 48250, 16494 el 10520, maybe the same trail. I went a short way down that to a fork and went right down a ridge to a teepee at 48373, 16273 el 10050. As reported by Whiley Hall a smooth manmade trail goes on down to the bridge at the Avalanche TH. Loggers are likely the ones who built the trail and Teepee. 8 and a half hours, 12.7 miles and 3700 gain and the only steep part is going up peak 11858 which is optional. I'll save an hour next time by going around that peak. It's all trails, tundra and easy forest. Hardly any deadfall. I did it in shorts. I put a track on peakbagger under peak 13209. Posted 2026

24. PEAK 12792 is south of Cottonwood Pass. A one way hike can be done over the peak then down to Lost Lake and out on a trail. Highway 306 is paved out of Buena Vista to the pass. Leave an ebike at the Lost Lake TH at mp 2 then drive to the pass and walk the CDT over a peak that is nearly 12600. The trail goes up along the east side of peak 12792 where an obvious tundra ridge drops to the lake. I went on up the trail to do the peak then down to the lake. A trail goes out to mp 2 but I didn't have a shuttle so I walked a closed road shown as a dotted line running north toward the pass. I should have got on it at N38 48321, W106 24811 but missed that and had to cross a boggy meadow. The road goes on north past a pond then makes a hard right to the highway. But I kept going north and used an old road into the pass that is visible at the start. Nearly 3 hours, 5 miles with 1400 gain. I did OK in shorts but was weaving brush at that last mile. Posted 2026 

25. WEST BUFFALO PEAK el 13326 -  a good loop goes up Fourmile Creek then back on the west rim. County 375 goes to the TH el 9440. Subaru types make it there. There was no sign against riding a two wheeler another mile up the smooth road to the upper TH. So don't ask don't tell? I walked the trail from the lower TH to the saddle el 11400 then zigzagged up to a faint trail at N38 59639, W106 07664 el 13000 that leads thru rocks to the summit. A spring is along the way at 59596, 07895 el 12700 but would need filtering. I retraced back to the saddle then over to the west rim. Some minor deadfall along there turned out to be the worst of it for the hike. I went to an elk trail at 59368, 09611 and just strolled on to peak 11430 then down the ridge in an easy forest to a mine road on the topo at N38 57901, W106 08787 that leads to the upper TH. Nearly 8 hours, 13.3 miles and 4100 gain. It's all trails, tundra and easy forest, no brush. That's the best forest hiking I can recall in the state. Next time I'll do the loop but skip the peak. If doing both peaks I would start from road 431 el 10400 and go counterclockwise and down to the NE saddle of East Buffalo Peak then down to a logging road and hope deadfall isn't bad on it. Posted 2026

Hotchkiss to Gunnison, CO

Zoe and Dylan on Carbon Peak. They were married there in 2020.

Bear cub on the Gunnison rim

1. Hotchkiss has a Family Dollar and City Market. Gunnison has a City Market and a Walmart next door, but not a Super with full grocery. Safeway there has no self pay and that's a deal breaker. Snow was nearly all gone and I only found mosquitoes around Crater Peak. Posted 2026

2. CRATER PEAK el 11327 is an easy one with game trails most of the way. Near mp 17 on highway 92 is where county 3100 goes north. There is just one main road to follow into the forest. The first 5 miles is paved and cars make it to a fork at Wash Tub Reservoir then it's 4wd to Goodenough Reservoir. The road steepens at the 10160 line and I didn't think it worth it to take a 4wd beyond there but some hikers might disagree and park at the 10480 line. From the 10480 line, aim for a faint road at N39 02373, W107 41073 then to a lakeshore at 02497, 41018. Just past the lake I went up a clear strip to a game trail at 02713, 40652 and then in 350 feet went right on a  fork to get on the main ridge. Trails run the ridge then just before the summit I leveled off in a clear strip right of center. That ends then easy on up. It takes an hour or so with 1000 gain to get to the summit from the 10480 line. Ebikes should work to the 10160 line. Posted 2026

3. CRATER, DARLINE, HATTEN - all these peaks can be done as a good loop. I went up from Willow Reservoir to Darline then on the crest to peak 11030 but hit dense deadfall just before that peak. I aborted there. The preferred loop would be to go up the SW ridge of Hatten then on to Darline and then down the ridge to the dam at the NW corner of Willow Res. And then walk the faint road back to FR128. Deadfall is not bad on that part. Going clockwise is a must as the east face of Hatten is steep as hell. I put a track on peakbagger with notes. Posted 2026

4. MOUNT GUNNISON el 12719 has a trail to el 10100 then easy terrain after that except for a tenth mile of talus. The Minnesota Creek Rd goes out of Paonia to a TH and shady camping at the SE end of Beaver Reservoir. I could have drove a Subaru there. The USFS topo correctly shows the trail goes to a junction at N38 48402, W107 25923. I went left up along Hoodoo Creek to a clearing at 48125, 24157 el 10100. I headed up the clearing into the trees at 48107, 23992 and weaved to 48148, 23786 where the talus starts. Going down to the creekbed might be best but I stayed high on the edge then across to elk trails on the high left bank at 48262, 23718. It's easy walking to the 11200 line where it works to get back to the creekbed and then I walked the easiest tundra the rest of the way. At el 12000 I could see tundra spiraling up the south side of the summit. I walked it to 48586, 23185 el 12400 and could see the rest. 8 hours, 12 miles and 4800 gain. A good basecamp is along Hoodoo Creek at el 9650. That's the last stream I saw. Posted 2026

5. BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON - the north rim is accessed south of Crawford. At mp 34.7 on highway 92 is where a paved road goes 6 miles or so to BLM land. Some sunny camp spots are there with Verizon signal. The road goes on graded for another 5 or 6 miles to the rim. A trail at the ranger station goes along the rim then up to Green Benchmark el 8563. It's 3.3 miles to the BM with about 1000 gain. Posted 2026

6. BALD MOUNTAIN el 11787 has a trail to the top as shown on the USFS topo. The road to Bald Mtn Reservoir leaves highway 92 at mp 43.5 and goes 16 miles. Subaru types and ebikes can make it. The trail goes on to peak 11841 but gets fuzzy as it climbs out of the deep saddle. I picked it up again at N38 40094, W107 25204. I came back over Bald then staight down to 39459, 24417 to get back to the start. Easy terrain with deadfall easy to navigate. That took nearly 5 hours, 5.5 miles and 2200 gain. Good camping at the reservoir. Logging may resume and the road is only one lane wide. Posted 2026

7. MOUNT GUERO el 12052 can be hiked from the same TH as Bald Mtn. The USFS topo shows the trails from Bald Mtn Reservoir down to Curecanti Creek then up to a junction with trail 8861. Going on to Curecanti Pass then up does work but has a lot of deadfall. It's best to take trail 8861 to the pass then up tundra to el 11200 where small talus starts. At N38 42846, W107 22897 el 11440 there is a pathway running left of center. It comes back to center then it's best to stay on center to avoid shifty rocks. This takes 9 or 10 hours, 14 miles with 4200 gain. 1600 of the gain is on the way out. The trails are in decent shape and easy to follow. Posted 2026

8. SPRING BENCHMARK el 8894 has a trail. It starts at a restroom at mp 48.4 on highway 92 el 8640. It goes a hilly mile and a half to the rim el 8600 above Crystal Reservoir. A left fork along the way goes up to the peak. Posted 2026

9. OREGON BENCHMARK el 10029 is on the east rim of Curecanti Creek. FR720 leaves highway 92 at mp 65 and goes 8 miles to a TH at the end. Subaru types can make it. Cars can make it to the first good campsite 2.5 miles in then bike the rest. I parked at about 6 miles in at a sunny campsite el 8520 then walked a clearing to trees then another clearing at N38 33537, W107 21871. I leveled off to the right and on to 33531, 21775 then in a few feet moved left to a ridge and up that. At el 9550 there is a knife edge. Walking the top is easy but low left would likely work too. At 33481, 21559 el 9600 I hit an elk trail and there are 2 ways to go. Easiest is to walk the trail on to the main ridge south of the summit then up. The other way is a trail at 33443, 21521 that goes a few feet thru a saddle then down a little and on to a drainage that leads up to the summit. That is steeper. 3 hours and 1500 gain. Deadfall not much of an issue but wading the creek at the start might be early in the season. No cattle for decades. Peakbagger has never heard of this so I put a track up under the next peak to the south. Posted 2026

10. PEAK 11725 is on the west rim of Soap Creek. At mp 71.8 on highway 92 there is a sign for the creek and a graded road goes as far as Soap Creek Cg. It's 4wd beyond there with a steep hill near point 7994. That's the worst of it. The road goes on to a fork at FR721.3G and that road goes to the Coffeepot Creek Trail. Ebikes could make it there. The trail starts off to the right of what the topo shows at N38 39528, W107 19252. At el 10150 there is a trail junction and the right fork tops out at el 10300 on the south ridge of the peak. I went up the ridge then at a crag used a game trail at 40753, 19530 el 10800 and walked up a grassy slope right of center then back to center at el 11200 and on up. 5 hours, 3100 gain and 7 miles. LONG VERSION - stay left at the fork el 10150 and go on up to peak 11942 then run the ridge to peak 11725 and down the south ridge. That looks like a good one. Posted  2026

11. PINE CREEK TRAIL is one I didn't do. It's below the Blue Mesa Dam on the south side of the river. It shows on the sat image and goes down to the river then along the bank to what?

12. CEBOLLA BENCHMARK el 8926 is on the south side of Blue Mesa Reservoir. I parked my truck at a pullout at mp 136 next to the lake bridge near point 7576 then rode my cycle west a half mile to county 26. I went up that for 3 and a half miles to powerlines then left on good high clearance for a mile and parked at a steep hill. I walked up the hill to point 8798 and then ran the ridge over the peak then down to point 8031. I went north there to powerlines then walked along those to Fourmile Gulch where dropping left or right goes down and then I crossed a fence at N38 27845, W107 15262 to get to the pullout. 3 hours, 6 miles and 850 gain. A car and ebike gets this done. Best done late in the season when the lake has receded from Fourmile Gulch. County 26 goes on to highway 149 and that drops into the Lake Fork of the Gunnison. A good road goes down that and the last 5 miles is on a RR grade. Good for two wheelers and there are campsites but not much to do. Posted 2026

13. RED CREEK has a decent road for nearly 16 miles to a TH at the head of Sixmile Gulch el 11450. It starts at mp 138 on US 50. Campsites start in half a mile. Subaru types can make it to the end. This looks like the closest access to the high peaks. Posted 2026

14. WEST ELK PEAK el 13035 is best as a one way hike from Red Creek TH to Mill Creek TH. But those THs are 55 miles apart. I parked my cycle at Mill Creek then rode my Zizzo mostly downhill to Gunnison and took my truck on to the Red Creek TH. The bike ride is half the fun. The next day I started out over a low ridge to the trail that goes to the south saddle el 11877 of Middle Baldy Mtn. Then I went up on the far right to avoid brush and on over the Baldy peaks to N38 42272, W107 11285 at peak 12968. I dropped a little then took an easy angle up to the east ridge of that peak where a hiker trail goes on to West Elk. I retraced down the trail to el 12600 then dropped into a basin at the head of Mill Creek and picked up the trail again at the 12000 line and went on down to my cycle. 8 hours, 13 minutes and 16 miles with about 3000 gain. Facebook has a message board for Gunnison where a bored housewife or retiree could be recruited to drop hikers off at the Red Creek TH. Another option is two parties hiking in opposite directions and each drives the other's vehicle back to town. But who gets to start at the high TH? Well, you do since it's your idea. SHORT VERSION - go as far as North Baldy then drop into Mill Creek. Posted 2026

15. PEAK 11790 is west of the Red Creek road. I hiked over it to retrieve my vehicle at the start of the West Elk Peak hike that I did the day before. I parked on the Red Creek road where a road goes up West Red Creek. But that is now an elk trail then cattle trail. Just past the 10000 line the trail runs on the left bank in a long clearing. I went on to FR723.F1 and up to the rim then on over the peak to the TH at the end of the Red Creek road. 3 hours, 15 minutes and 6.6 miles with 2200 gain, nearly all easy. This is on trails, closed roads and tundra. I wore shorts. I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2026

16. SOUTH BALDY and MIDDLE BALDY el 12709  have trails and tundra the nearly the whole way. From the Red Creek road TH I started out over a low ridge to the trail that goes to the south saddle el 11877 of Middle Baldy Mtn. Then I went up on the far right to avoid brush. I came back to the saddle then over South Baldy and down the south ridge to a hiker trail at N38 39624, W107 11888 el 11950 that leads to the main trail. 5 hours, 6 miles with a bit over 2000 gain. Just doing South Baldy would be a lot shorter. Posted 2026

17. DIILLON MESA el 9412 is a part of the west rim of Red Creek. The Dillon Pinnacles trail starts near a bridge (low water allowed me to park a quarter mile closer) on US 50 and goes up Dillon Gulch as the topo shows and on past a spring then it bends left toward a saddle north of peak 9017. It fades along there but it's easy to walk low right up the ridge and on to survey junk at peak 9412. Walking back down the mesa is easy then there is a way down at N38 28737, W107 14983. I went down and left a little then to a game trail at 28756, 15061 el 8400 and walked it down. 4 and a half hours, 9 miles with easy 2000 gain. I couldn't find the spring. This is pristine and no cattle ever and no brush. Every other BLM mesa around Gunnison has been run over. ONE WAY VERSION - ride an ebike up the good Red Creek road and walk the trail up Lion Gulch to get on the rim and walk it down to the lake. WEST RIM - I went back later and walked the trail to the rim then over peak 9017 and down to the rim over the pinnacles. I got back down to the trail on a sheep route at 29277, 15663. That took 3 hours, 20 minutes and 6 miles. Posted 2026 

18. TENDERFOOT HILL el 9249 is on the east rim of Red Creek. I parked at the Dry Gulch campround at mp 140.3 and walked an old road north up to el 9700 as the topo shows then cut over under peak 9843 and came back over Tenderfoot then on to point 8726. I dropped off the rim on a trail there at N38 29450, W107 11853 then down to a gap in brush at 29320, 11425 to get back on the old road. 5 hours, 10 miles and a bit over 2000 gain, all easy. I wore shorts OK. No cattle for decades. Posted 2026

19. STEVENS CREEK is state land and requires a SWA pass. Those are cheap for old coots. Fishing and hunting licenses also allow access. A short loop up canyon and back on the west rim is easy. The road in starts at mp 145.8 on US 50. There is a pullout 1.3 miles in that Subaru types and bikes can make. Then it's nearly a mile to walk on to a fork and go left up a bad road to a trail at N38 31179, W107 07152 el 8700. That trail leads to the rim top then it's an easy stroll down to a trail at 30120, 06807 and it goes down to a saddle. There is one more little peak and I counted 9 cairns on it. Did paleface build those? 2 and a half hours, nearly 5 miles with 1200 gain. Posted 2026

20. WOLF CREEK BENCHMARK el 8800+ is on the west side of highway 149. The only road in I could find starts at mp 112 and follows powerlines. It has a bad spot 2 miles in. Rigs with lockers make that. 2 and a half miles in there is a fork and the left one goes up to the summit as the topo shows. The main road goes on and drops steeply down to the powerline road and that goes back. This area is for riding and ebikes work on most of it. Cell coverage makes it easy to navigate the maze of roads. Posted 2026

21. IOLA BENCHMARK el 8754 is on the east side of highway 149. A south to north one way hike can be done using the highway. I parked at mp 115.2 and rode my Zizzo up to mp 108.4 el 8550 then coasted down a BLM road for 1.3 miles to a fork. I walked the left fork along the west side of peak 8721 then up into the north saddle where there is a gate. I just kept going north over the peaks. On the descent into the saddle el 8511 there is a trail right of center. The next peak has a strange excavation and I just kept going down the main ridge to mp 115.2. 3 hours, 17 minutes and 6.5 miles with a bit over 1000 gain for the hike part. No brush. The 7 mile ride took an hour but would be easy with an ebike. The road up Willow Creek on the east side would be an option. Posted 2026

22. BEAVER CREEK has a good trail. It starts at a picnic area at mp 150 on US 50. The trail goes along the west side of peak 8290 then it's easy to go up into the north saddle of that peak then walk the pristine ridge back to power lines el 7700 then drop back to the trail. 2 hours and 800 gain. This is so easy it makes pie look hard. Carry a sack of bricks to make it a challenge. Posted 2026

23. HARTMAN ROCKS RECREATION AREA is on BLM land on the south side of Gunnison off of county 38. Designated sites are free to camp in for now. Restrooms are available. Smooth trails for two wheelers crisscross the area, some motorized. The entrance road is steep but cars make it. It's too close to town and I was buying ice cream every day. How far do you have to hike to burn off a Ben and Jerry's? Whiley Hall has put tracks up on peakbagger for every peak around town so there's no chance of running out of things to do. Posted 2026

24. SIGNAL PEAK el 9042 is on the NE side of Gunnison. A  decent road goes nearly all the way. It leaves US 50 at mp 159.3. Just follow the sat image up. Subaru types can make it or park at the BLM boundary and ride an ebike 3 miles up. Posted 2026

25. FLAT TOP el 10572 is a short hike north of Gunnison. FR829 goes in from county 730 at mp 8.1. It's easy 4wd but embedded rocks make for slow going. Two wheelers can thread all that. I just went on to FR955.1E and that ends at almost 10400 about 5.5 miles in but deadfall stopped me a little short. There is some talus and deadfall to deal with on the hike to Point BM but no big deal. It's pristine on top. Posted 2026

26. CARBON PEAK el 12079 is north of Gunnison and has a trail the whole way up the NW ridge. County 730 goes along the west side to FR730.1B.  Cars might get that far. 4wds can go right a third mile and ATVs can go more. The road shrinks to a foot trail like the USFS topo shows and in less than half a mile an obvious fork goes up a ridge all the way to the summit. 5 hours, 9 miles with 2600 gain. I saw a couple with mtn bikes near the summit but I wouldn't do it. Posted 2026