From the Taylor River, this route follows Italian Creek to Reno Divide. The road leaves the Taylor River at 9,822 feet and climbs steadily. Three miles from the Taylor (10,120 feet) Italian Creek Road is intersected by the Lily Pond Motorized Trail. The road continues to climb toward Reno Divide and follows Italian Creek for the next four miles. After passing the Star Mine and Star Trailhead (motorized) the road then climbs up over Reno Divide (12,000 ft). From this point it begins to switchback and descend into the Cement Creek drainage. Travel restrictions may be in effect. Please check the current Travel Map.
Directions from Almont: Travel 31 miles north on the Taylor River Road, 742. Less than a mile passed the Pot Hole Lakes is the junction with Italian Creek Road, 759.
Directions from Crested Butte: Travel eight miles south on Highway 135. Turn on to Cement Creek Road (740) and travel east for seven miles to the junction with Italian Creek Road.
Current Conditions & Trip Reports
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Filed By: Sarah
(Colorado Springs, CO)
Difficulty: Moderate Number of People Encountered: 25-50 ppl Recommend to a Friend: Neutral Report: Road is smooth, but narrow. Be prepared for some precarious passing/yielding when encountering other vehicles. I drove this road with a stock (uncustomized) Nissan Frontier 4x4 4-cylinder and didn't even have to shift into 4-low. Conditions: Decent campsites, if you don't mind a long drive to and from other activities in the area. We camped 10.5 miles from highway 135. Water Availability: Plenty.
Difficulty: Moderate Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl Recommend to a Friend: Highly Report: Italian creek road was one of the best trails I have been on in the Crested Butte area. It was very fun and exciting. When you get to Italian mountain do no chicken out go all the way up. The view is spectacular and the trail isn't all that hard.
Difficulty: Moderate Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl Recommend to a Friend: Highly Report: We road this on dirt bikes on 7-5-2000. Great connecting route from Taylor Park into Cement Creek near Crested Butte. Rocky but fairly easy on a motorcycle. Star Trail #411 starts/ends off of this trail
Recreation Opportunities
Activity
Remarks
On Site
Four-Wheel Driving
Italian Creek Road
Yes
Horseback Riding
Italian Creek Road
Yes
Mountain Biking
Italian Creek Road
Yes
ATV Riding
Italian Creek Road
Yes
Motorcycle Riding
Italian Creek Road
Yes
Related Activities
Star Trail - The Star Trail is a multi-use trail that leads from Reno Divide to Rocky Brook Road northwest of Taylor Park Reservoir.
Star Trailhead - Star Trailhead is located on Rocky Brook Road, Forest Service Road 748. It accesses the multi-use Star Trail, 411.
More Information
Visitor Information:
Gunnison National Forest, 216 North Colorado
, Gunnison, CO, 81230, Phone: 970-641-0471
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