Boulder Gulch Trail

Dogs Unknown

This trail is not to be taken lightly because of the remoteness, elevation, and exposure to lightning. It is usually done as a point-to-point from Velocity Basin.

It's a little tricky find the best route up out of Velocity, but after leaving the basin it gets better. Steep climbing is the name of the game. If it looks like dark clouds are moving in, get the hell down—lightning strikes are very common up here.

The first portion of the descent is mainly natural wildflower meadows with the occasional rock cairns to look out for. No established trail is present above 12,000 ft. About a third of the way down, the trail is more defined. The last third of the trail is well established.

The trail makes for a long and steep out-and-back from the Animas River side.

Don't trespass down into the mine property below the bottom creek crossing. Stay high and follow a road back to the edge of Silverton.