Link: More Information
The Guanella Pass I Hall Valley Loop is a three-day backpack trip starting at the top of Guanella Pass, looping southwest, and exiting at the Scott Gomer Trailhead. This is good practice for a Philmont Trek. By starting on top of the pass it makes the trek a little easier. A shuttle car needs to be parked at the Scott Gomer Trailhead (P)4. How to get there: Guanella Pass Road can be accessed from either Georgetown on I-70 or from Grant on US 285. Drive to the top of Guanella Pass and park your vehicle on the east side (P)3. You will cross to the west side of the pass looking for an old jeep road; this is the beginning of FS600 (South Park Trail). Follow the trail southwest crossing to the south side of Square Top Lakes. The road gradually turns into a trail and one or more snowfields will be encountered, even in July. The trail becomes steeper and works its way downward. In about 3.5 miles you will reach the Geneva Creek Road FSR119. Cross the road, the continuation of the trail is on the other side. Continuing on FS600, it will quickly turn east and in about a mile you will pass a spur trail to campsite 2, noted on the map (excellent campsite). FS600 will loop around heading southwest and you will have a gradual hike up Kirby Gulch. In a mile, you will leave Kirby Gulch and continue to climb, crossing Buno Gulch Creek. You will eventually go over a hump (doesn’t qualify for a pass.) Follow the 4WD road to the east and then downhill to the Hall Valley. Follow the Hall Valley Road (CR60) to the left and travel southeast for 2.5 miles until you find the trailhead for FS601 (Burning Bear Trail). This trail (FS601) is uphill but flattens out for the last mile (4 miles in length). Get your drinking water in the first mile because the upper portion of this trail has no water available. The upper portion of this trail leads you across a large meadow to Burning Bear Campground and Scott Gomer Trailhead (P)4. Campsite selection will depend on your group\'s endurance and how far you want to go in a day. Backcountry campsites are noted on the map with a solid tepee and a number. Campsite 2 After crossing FSR119 follow FS600 south, it will quickly turn east. Follow the trail for about a mile; there will be a side trail going off to the left of trail FS600, follow it to the campsite. If you get to Kirby Creek where the trail starts turning southwest you have missed the side trail to the campsite. As of 1994, there were green spray paint guide markings on rocks along the trail showing you the way. No facilities are available. Campsite 3 is about 1.5 miles south of Geneva Creek Road and no facilities are available. The best campsites lay on Kirby Gulch. This area is nice and grassy and the stream is small and extremely clear. Campsite 4 is located along the Hall Valley Road. There are two US Forest Service campgrounds located here within a mile of each other. The first is Hall Valley CG and the next is Hand Cart CG. There will be a fee if campsites are open. You must compete with the public for these campsites and pay a user fee. Campsite 5 is located about 300\' up Trail FS601 (Burning Bear Trail) from Hall Valley Road. There will be a stream on your left as you start up this trail and a grassy area between the trail and the stream where you can camp.
Created on: 2024-09-07 16:10:04
Last edited by: rhall290472 On: 2024-09-22 11:50:57