Link: More Information
Several activities can take place from the Herman Gulch Trailhead. You can take a day hike to Herman Gulch. You can go towards Watrous Gulch Trail and climb one or more 13’ers or you can take the Bard Creek Trail for an overnight backpack and exit near the community of Empire. Drive Time: 1.5 Hours How to get there: Take Interstate 70 west past Georgetown and Silver Plume to Exit 218 on the north side of the Interstate. A large parking area can be seen from the Interstate as you exit. This is the trailhead for any of the three activities mentioned above. From the parking lot, hike up an old logging road to the north of the parking area. July or August is recommended due to heavy snow each winter. Herman Gulch and Lake: Take the Herman Gulch Trail (FS98) which splits to the left. You will pass an old sawmill area with a lot of slashing on the lower part of the trail. The goal is to hike to Herman Lake which is 3 miles one-way with a 1000\' elevation gain. Herman Lake is nestled next to the Continental Divide and is a good place to have lunch. Watrous Gulch: Take the same road from the parking lot, where the trail splits lake the trail to the right (FS95). This trail goes for 2.5 miles through aspen and lodgepole pine. You will pass Bard Creek Trailhead (FS83) as you work your way up Watrous Gulch. You will eventually arrive above Timberline with some excellent views. Two of the tallest mountains are Mt. Parnassus at 13,574\' and Bard Peak at 13,6411 which you may want to climb. Bard Creek Trail to Empire: Take he Watrous Gulch Trail to its intersection with FS83, and continue on FS83. This is a 15-mile trek from Herman Gulch Trailhead over to Empire. If you backpack the best camping areas are at Watrous Gulch or 6 miles over the top to the other side where high country streams can provide you with a source of water. As you hike towards Empire FS83 turns into a 4-wheel drive road noted as FSR277 and eventually into a car-drivable road (CR252) a mile or so from Empire. With a little planning, a shuttle vehicle can be left at Empire for the next day\'s transportation.
Created on: 2024-09-07 22:40:13
Last edited by: rhall290472 On: 2024-09-14 19:35:34