Name: Boulder Gulch
Address: Silverton, CO
Rating: 4.4

more stats

5.2 miles

Distance

425 ft

Climb

-3,517 ft

Descent

01:13:54

Avg time

-3,092 ft

Altitude change

9,550 ft

Altitude min

13,054 ft

Altitude max

12,642 ft

Altitude start

9,551 ft

Altitude end

-11.2%

Grade

-74%

Grade max

78.5%

Grade min

3,301 ft

Distance climb

4 miles

Distance down

774 ft

Distance flat

01:13:54

Avg time

Boulder Gulch Details

Activities
- Hike
- Mountain Bike
- Trail Running
Riding Area

Silverton
, Colorado
Difficulty Rating

Double Black Diamond Rate
Local Popularity
60 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 5 in Trail Running
- 5 in Hiking
Global Ranking
#74687 in Mountain Biking [+]
- #137153 in Trail Running
- #131137 in Hiking
Hiking SAC Scale

T1 Hiking
Trail Type

Primitive
Bike Type

AM
Direction

Downhill Primary
Popular Direction Shown
Climb Difficulty

Double Black Diamond
Physical Rating

Extreme
Trail Visibility

Sometimes hard to follow
Season

July - Sept
Alpine Trail

Yes
Dogs Allowed

Yes
eBike Allowed

No
TTFs on Trail

Rock Garden

This is more than a ride. It’s an alpine adventure that you won’t forget. After a 2,000’ hike-a-bike, you’ll crest the ridge and be treated to spectacular views. Boulder Gulch trail is very steep and descends 3,700’ in less than four miles and has a variety of riding (alpine tundra, exposed side hilling, rocky technical fun, and many very steep, loose sections). This is a hardcore alpine experience and you must be fully prepared (be prepared for remoteness, wind, cool temps, and lightning likely during thunderstorms). There is very limited cell service on this route.

From Silverton, take county road 110 past the Silverton ski area. The road will eventually curve right, past the Water Treatment Plant. From here, take County Road 52 to the end (Velocity Basin). Park here and get ready to hike your bike.

From the parking area, there is a trail that heads east. Bikes are not allowed to be ridden anywhere on the climb and must be carried. With your bike on your back, follow this trail. Your objective is the ridgeline above. After ascending 2,000 ft, you’ll reach the ridge where you’ll find a faint trail. Follow this trail along the ridge until you eventually reach the high point at 13,000’. Stop and enjoy the views (you’ll look down into Eureka Gulch to your left, Velocity Basin to your right, and Boulder Gulch straight ahead).

From the high point, get ready for a spicy descent (the trail descends 3,700’ in approx. 3.5 miles). The trail is very faint at the top but becomes more pronounced as you go further down. If you lose the trail at the top, stop and look for cairns.

The initial trail is faint as it descends through the alpine tundra. There are some sections where the trail skirts along the side of steep hillsides. About midway down, the trail jogs left and over a small creek crossing. Continue following the trail as it passes through the trees. There are several sharp switchbacks sprinkled throughout, and some super steep sections of loose rock. Eventually the trail ends at Boulder Gulch stream where you’ll see a concrete intake pond. This is Silverton’s water source so please stay out of the water. From here, follow the doubletrack road which eventually leads to Silverton. Stay on the doublectrack road and do not shortcut through private property to reach CR2

Access Info Restricted Access

The primary route to get to this trail begins at Velocity Basin. Bikes are not allowed to be ridden on the climb (BLM land from the lake to the summit); however, you are allowed to hike this section with your bike on your back. The roughly 2,000 ft. climb is steep and most people wouldn’t be able to ride it anyway.

Be prepared for weather because this area attracts a lot of lightning. The high point is 13,000 ft and weather conditions can change in minutes. The trail is steep the whole way down so be sure your brakes are in good working order

At the end of the ride (bottom of the trail), be sure to stay on the doubletrack road until you reach the gate at the water tank. Stay on the doublectrack road and do not shortcut through private property to reach CR2!

Disclaimer

This is a hardcore high alpine adventure ride. Not to be taken lightly because of the remoteness, elevation, and exposure to lightning. If it looks like dark clouds are moving in, get down as lightning strikes are very common up here.

Trail Supporters

BLM
Land Manager

Local Trail Association

Silverton Singletrack Society (www.silvertonsingletracksociety.org)
Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to support
trail development & maintenance.
Donate to earn trail karma!

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week

0 rides

6 Months

0 rides

All

8 rides
Last: Jun 22, 2026

c1	c2	c3	c4
January	February	March	April
May	June	July	August
September	October	November	December

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Boulder Gulch Trail Reports

status	date	description
	Jul 17, 2025 @ 7:45am Jul 17, 2025
	Oct 19, 2024 @ 9:07am Oct 19, 2024	Snow covered for season.
	Oct 19, 2024 @ 9:06am Oct 19, 2024	Snow covered for season.
	Aug 27, 2024 @ 7:00am Aug 27, 2024
	Jun 23, 2024 @ 12:41pm Jun 23, 2024	6 snow fields up high (2 very large) and 2 down trees down low of unknown size.

Mountain Bike Map: Cortez, Delores, Mancos & Rico
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Frequently Asked Questions About Boulder Gulch

▼ Where is Boulder Gulch located?

Boulder Gulch is located in Silverton, Colorado, United States. It is part of the Silverton trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 37.8726, -107.63332.

▼ How hard is Boulder Gulch?

Boulder Gulch is rated as Double Black Diamond difficulty. The physical rating is Extreme. The average grade is 11.2%. The climb difficulty is rated Double Black Diamond.

▼ What is the elevation gain for Boulder Gulch?

Boulder Gulch has 425 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 3,517 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 9,550 ft to 13,054 ft.

▼ Is Boulder Gulch a point to point trail?

Boulder Gulch is not a point to point trail. The direction is Downhill Primary. The trail type is primitive.

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Boulder Gulch