Cunningham Gulch Trail #502

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Leaving the trailhead behind, the first half mile of the route rises through 700 feet of stunted high-alpine growth as the trail clambers towards treeline. Meeting with the Highland Mary Lakes connector, one last switchback brings you into the final patch of trees before a rolling tundra unveils unhindered mountain views off to the west, including Mount Rhonda, Kendall Peak and Little Giant Peak. From here, the trail never again drops below treeline, and at about 1.5 miles from the trailhead, the Cunningham Gulch trail ends at its intersection with the Continental Divide/Colorado trail.

As most of this trail unfolds above treeline, the majority of your trail companions will be pikas and marmots.

In the brief hiatus from the region's heavy snowfall, the brilliant grasslands of the high-alpine tundra yield vivid fields of blooming wildflowers.