West Elk Wilderness

West Elk Wilderness within Gunnison National Forest is 176,412 acres, the fifth largest Wilderness in Colorado. Elevations range from 7,000 to over 13,000 feet. This Wilderness is a large untamed area with little visitation. Only during fall hunting season do the trails and campsites fill with people.

Elk and deer number in the thousands. Here you’ll find mountain passes leading to secluded valleys filled with beaver ponds and lined with trembling aspen that turn gold in September.

Past volcanic activity has produced long lava flows in the area. Ridges have been crumbled and carved by wind and water into fantastic turrets, pinnacles, and crenellated bulwarks. The topography is reflected in many of the area's geographic names: Castle Pass, Castle View, Castle Creek, and the Castles.

About two hundred miles of trails offer opportunities for extended loop hikes through the West Elk Wilderness. Most of the trails provide excellent pathways for horse traffic. Mill Castle Trail is one of the most rugged and scenic trails in this Wilderness.

The rugged mid-country of the West Elk Wilderness is very remote. It is recommended that visitors be able to navigate the backcountry using topographic maps.

Points of interest include: the Castles, West Elk Peak, Sheep Lake, North/Middle and South Baldy mountains, and East and West Beckwith mountains.

For access points off of Gunnison County Road 12 also known as Kebler Pass Road, follow Forest Service Road 709, also known as Coal Creek Road. Coal Creek Road is an 11-mile-long, narrow one lane forest road with turn-outs. The Through Line Trailhead is about 9 miles from Kebler Pass down Coal Creek Road on the right which has primitive camp sites and a vaulted toilet. The road ends at the Little Robinson Trailhead just before private property which is gated. Traveling on this road when wet or in adverse weather is not recommended.

Please always use Leave No Trace techniques to help keep these areas wild, clean, and pristine.