Sayres Gulch  |
| Maps: |
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| USGS 7.5' Map: |
Independence Pass |
| Statistics: |
| Difficulty: |
Number: |
Miles: |
Altitude: |
Obstacles: |
Time: |
| Easy 2 |
FR382 |
1.72 |
10,560 to 11,000 ft. |
NA |
1 hour |
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| County: |
Chaffee |
| Adopted by: |
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| Managed by: |
Pike/San Isabel National Forest, Leadville District |
810 Front Street, Leadville, CO 80461 |
(719)486-0749 |
| Summary: |
Sayres Gulch 4WD road leaves the South Fork Lake Creek, FR391, road and follows the gulch below Sayres Peak. The road ends at a trailhead into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. |
| Attractions: |
Scenic views, Trailhead |
Seasonal
Closure: |
Natural - Closed by heavy snows.
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| Best Time: |
June - May still have snow at the end
July - Best
August - Best
September - Best
October - Watch for early snowstorms |
Trail Heads
Accessed: |
Sayres Gulch, FT1485 - Hiking
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| Camping: |
There are dispersed campsites at the start of Sayres Gulch 4WD road. |
| Base Camp: |
This would be a good area to base camp and explore the other roads in the area, or to hike the trails into the Wilderness. |
| Fall Colors: |
Good - There are aspen groves along the gulches in this area.
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| Navigation: |
From Leadville, CO. head south on Harrison Ave toward East 8th Street. Continue onto Silver Drive for 0.3 miles. Continue onto US-24 E/Front Street. Continue to follow US-24 E for 14.3 miles. Turn right onto CO-82 W and go 14.5 miles. Turn left onto 82C / FR391 at the parking area and go 0.9 miles. Continue on FR391 for 1.8 miles. Turn left onto Sayres Gulch road, FR382.
From Buena Vista, CO. head north on US-24 W toward W Sterling Ave and go 19.1 miles. Turn left onto CO-82 W and go 14.5 miles. Turn left onto 82C / FR391 at the parking area and go 0.9 miles. Continue on FR391 for 1.8 miles. Turn left onto Sayres Gulch road, FR382.
From Aspen, CO head east on W Main Street toward S Garmisch Street and go 0.5 miles. Continue onto S Original Street and go 0.1 miles. Turn left onto CO-82 E/E Cooper Ave and continue to follow CO-82 E for 28.4 miles crossing over Independence Pass. Turn right onto 82C / FR391 at the parking area and go 0.9 miles. Continue on FR391 for 1.8 miles. Turn left onto Sayres Gulch road, FR382.
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| History: |
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| Description: |
The Sayres Gulch 4WD road follows a short gulch off of the South Fork Lake Creek 4WD road. At the start the road is a two track that drops down a low enbankment and heads to a water crossing. You will drive across South Fork Lake Creek and have to climb a steep hill on the east side of the creek. The road is softer here and has been chewed out making holes in the hill climb. Once past the hill climb you will head into the forest. The road will run along the smaller Sayres Creek as it works up into the main part of the gulch.
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Sayres Gulch looking south
photo by:
Adam M |
After coming out of the trees you will get a good view of the main gulch. This is a broad gulch with two branches at its head. The road remains a two track as it heads up the gulch, pretty much following the center.
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Sayres Gulch looking north
photo by:
Adam M |
Just before you reach the split into two branches of the gulch you will come to the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness boundary and trailhead. The Sayres Gulch Trail will head up the west branch of the gulch.
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Sayres Gulch trail head
photo by:
Adam M |
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Data updated - November 6, 2018
4WD Road driven - September 4, 2018
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