wildernet

Leadville Ranger District

Quick Facts

Pear Lake Trail

Beginning Elevation:	11,080 Feet (3453.9 Meters)
Difficulty:	Moderate 1.25 miles of very steep terrain
Elevation:	6,400 Feet (1995.0 Meters)
Elevation Gain, One-way:	1,427 Feet (444.8 Meters) to Continental Divide
Ending Elevation:	12,150 Feet (3787.4 Meters) Pear Lake
High Point:	12,507 Feet (3898.7 Meters) Continental Divide
Length, One-way:	3.5 Miles (5.83 Kilometers)
Other Maps:	Trails Illustrated 129 Buena Vista, Collegiate Peaks
Recommended Season:	Summer
Trail Number:	1,461
Vehicle Accessibility:	Four-wheel Drive Vehicle

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

Pear Lake Trail continues into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness beyond Clohesy's Lake Road (Forest Road 338). The trailhead is located approximately 1/3 of a mile from the end of the road to the east. Pear Lake Trail is about 3.5 miles one way. It leads up the Clohesy's Lake drainage then crosses the Continental Divide at 12,507'. From the Continental Divide the trail drops into the bowl that holds Pear Lake. The lake rests at about 12,150'.

Directions from Highway 24: Turn on to Clear Creek Road, which is 2 miles south of Granite, and drive 2 miles west of the historic town of Vicksburg. You'll reach Rockdale, another historic town, which consists of 4 to 5 cabins on the south side of the road. Turn left on to Forest Road 388, this is Clohesy's Lake Road. Drive approximately 3 miles and keep your eyes open for the Pear Lake Trailhead on the eastern side of the road.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: Late May through September (NOTE: Because the trail reaches above 12,000' hikers may encounter snow on the route.) .

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

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Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Hiking & Walking	Pear Lake Trail	Yes
	Horseback Riding	Pear Lake Trail	Yes

Related Activities

Clear Creek General Forest Area - Clear Creek offers unique recreation opportunities and history. Clear Creek Reservoir has public fishing, boating and camping accesses.

Clohesy's Lake Four-Wheel Drive Road - This road is a fork from Clear Creek Road that leads to Clohesy's Lake with hiker access to Pear Lake. Clohesy's Lake Road is recommended for high clearance vehicles only as it is extremely rough.

Sheep Gulch Trail - Sheep Gulch Trail also harbors traffic of the Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. Hope Pass offers extraordinary views of the Collegiate Peaks with exceptional views of Missouri Mountain, Mt. Belford, Mt. Oxford and Huron Peak.

Vicksburg Historic Site - Vicksburg became a mining camp during the last decades of the Nineteenth Century. It's prosperity didn't last long and most of the residents moved from the area for more profitable mining.

Winfield Historic Site - Once a thriving silver and copper mining town, Winfield now claims it's fame as a Colorado ghost town. The schoolhouse, cemetery and church have been restored by volunteers.