This is a popular trail run for participants training for the Leadville Trail 100 foot race, and is considered the "crux" of that infamous race. Hope Pass offers extraordinary views of the Collegiate Peaks with exceptional views of Missouri Mountain, Mt. Belford, Mt. Oxford and Huron Peak.Sheep Gulch is a section of the Continental Divide Trail in the Clear Creek Drainage. The Continental Divide Trail and Colorado Trail split. Both trails follow the same route over Hope Pass from the north. At the Clear Creek Road, the Colorado Trail turns east down the drainage while the Continental Divide Trail turns south and west toward Lake Ann and the Continental Divide. From the road/trail junction, the Continental Divide Trail will travel past Rockdale and through Winfield before following the South Fork Clear Creek Road for two miles to the roads end. The trail then enters the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. It is approximately 4 miles from Winfield to the top of the divide.
Directions from Clear Creek Road: To reach Sheep Gulch trailhead drive approximately nine miles west of U.S. Highway 24 on Forest Road #120, Clear Creek Road. The trailhead will be on the right (northern) side of the road. Clear Creek is about 19 miles south of Leadville or 14 miles north of Buena Vista, Colorado. Forest Road #120 is graveled and sometimes rough but satisfactory for most vehicles.
Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible:
May through September
(NOTE: Snow may obstruct the trail at high elevations.)
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