INTRODUCTION
This road leads to high mountain meadows where snow tends to stay in patches year round. You'll also notice many logging areas, especially on the two wheel drive dirt road that brings you to the trailhead. Most of the road is through thickly forested area, with occasional glimpses of mountain ranges to the west. The actual road is primarily embedded rock, with good traction and a few very steep sections. There is a spur road to your right at 3/4 mile from the trail head. This spur is not really worth exploring, and it ends almost as soon as it starts in private, fenced land. At two miles into the road, there is a "Y" intersection, stay to the right. Although this spur into Yoder Gulch looks passable by four wheel drive, it is best left to hikers and bikers, as the road quickly disintegrates into impassable bogs, impassable sidehill sections and ends with a "jump" of about 15 feet that is very dangerous to vehicles! Continue on No Name from this intersection, and you'll be rewarded with a high tundra meadow at the Continental Divide. As you reach the summit, beware of shortcuts to the left--they are too steep with too loose dirt, and many vehicles have gotten into trouble here, and had to receive help! Go all the way until you are at the base of the mountain in front of you, and if it is clear of snow, you'll see the main road continue down and south. This road becomes Wurtz Ditch and Highway 24 is 15 miles away. TRAIL TIPS
Be advised, this road typically retains snow and Wurtz Ditch may not be accessed. Check with the Holy Cross or Leadville Ranger District about snow conditions.
Directions from Vail: Follow I-70 to the Minturn exit (#171). Follow Highway 24 through the town of Minturn and continue 13 miles to road #705. The turn off on the right (west) side of the road is hard to see, look for a dirt parking area immediately before the road sign.Follow the two wheel drive dirt road for 7 miles until you come to the marked trailhead on the right side (south) of the road. The road quickly becomes very rocky and steep at this point, but it is also one of the toughest parts of the entire trail. Follow the trail either to the summit, then back track, or try Wurtz Ditch.Watch out on the spur roads. They turn into mud bogs immediately. The main trail is much more rewarding.
Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible:
Summer through Fall
(NOTE: This road typcally retains snow Late into the Summer and Wurtz Ditch may not be accessed)
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OPEN. but snow conditions exist. Muddy. Updated: 2001-06-13 11:36:00.0
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