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Hells Hole Trail #53

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.3 (19)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. Georgetown
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“A little quieter than other trails nearby. ”

Ralph Bradt
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Map Key

8.1

Miles

13.1

KM

Out and Back

11,505' 3,507 m

High

9,670' 2,947 m

Low

1,846' 563 m

Up

1,845' 562 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

31%

Max Grade (17°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Almost all of this trail is in the Mount Evans Wilderness. Wilderness rules apply.

Drive past the Chicago Creek Campground, the road will dead-end at the parking lot/trailhead. There are vault toilets at the trailhead.

Overview

If you're looking for a quieter getaway without getting TOO far from easy access, this out-and-back might fit the bill. It's a picturesque route with some backpacking opportunities.

Description

Beautiful hike to a glacial cirque that provides a little bit of everything. You begin in an open forest where there are some picnic areas and quickly reach an aspen grove before coming upon bristlecone pines towards the end of the trail. Wildflowers can be found throughout and at the meadow at the end of the trail. The trail itself is well-defined and mostly shaded.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Arapaho National Forests - Clear Creek Ranger District

Shared By:

Ralph Bradt with improvements by Chelsea Taylor and 1 other
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 19 votes

#3

in Georgetown

#983

Overall
  4.3 from 19 votes
5 Star
47%
4 Star
37%
3 Star
16%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#3

in Georgetown

#200

in Colorado

#983

Overall
19 Views Last Month
3,223 Since Dec 12, 2018
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
25%
55%
20%
0%
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Photos

Gray Wolf peaking through the firs
Jul 5, 2019 near Georgetown, CO
Aspens on the ascent
Jul 5, 2019 near Georgetown, CO
Pines on the trails
Jul 5, 2019 near Georgetown, CO
Pines
Jul 5, 2019 near Georgetown, CO
Marsh Marigolds and Globeflowers
Jul 5, 2019 near Georgetown, CO
Gray Wolf
Jul 5, 2019 near Georgetown, CO

2 Comments

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Check-Ins

Jul 28, 2024
Alex O'Connell
Not much in the wildflower department, but nice and quiet. 8.1mi — 4h 00m
Jul 15, 2023
Dmitry S
Jun 28, 2023
Joel Scherer
great trail conditions 4.1mi — 5h 00m
May 6, 2022
Elizabeth Johnson
Went with Josh. Post-holing to waist from 2 mls, quit at 3 mls. One pair of snowshoes. Still postholing. Josh broke my pole.
Jul 11, 2021
Meg Gerold
Trail actually continued for 4.5 miles and our tracker said that there was 3100ft of elevation gain. It was a tough and steep hike but the views fr… 9mi — 5h 13m
Sep 12, 2020
Matt Steen
Aug 20, 2020
Lindsey Vetter
Jul 18, 2020
Kristin Stanfa

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