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A secluded, escalating climb toward the Ute Peak Trail #24 through lots of aspen into Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness.


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3.3

Miles

5.3

KM

Point to Point

11,301' 3,444 m

High

8,663' 2,640 m

Low

2,638' 804 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

15%

Avg Grade (9°)

62%

Max Grade (32°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views

Description

This trail is a nice option not too far from Dillon and Silverthorne that doesn't seem to get the same crowds as similar trails across the valley in the Gore Range. With that in mind, some switchbacking sections toward the top are pretty steep and loose. The first half of the trail is fairly mellow with a sustained but gradual uphill grade. This makes for a great warm-up before the grades start to kick it up a notch the further east the trail gets.

Near the border with the Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness, the trail starts to climb more seriously, heading through expansive aspen groves.

At the top, and end of the trail, you can link up with the Ute Peak Trail #24, which is pretty tough to follow in places, but it's above treeline so you can mostly follow the ridge.

Contacts

Shared By:

Zander Göpfert

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 11 votes

#8271

Overall
  4.2 from 11 votes
5 Star
18%
4 Star
82%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#634

in Colorado

#8,271

Overall
6 Views Last Month
3,567 Since Oct 24, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
8%
8%
25%
58%
0%

Photos

Heading down the Acorn Creek Trail with expansive views of the Gore Range to the west.
Jun 26, 2017 near Silvert…, CO
Taking in the view.
Oct 25, 2016 near Silvert…, CO
Gore Range from the saddle before you start up the last few switchbacks.
Oct 25, 2016 near Silvert…, CO
Private home at the trailhead with a view of the Gore Range.
Oct 25, 2016 near Silvert…, CO
For a low-use trail, the start of the Acorn Creek Trail had clear signage to follow.
Jun 26, 2017 near Silvert…, CO
Views of the Gore Range start pretty quickly after you start climbing the trail.
Oct 25, 2016 near Silvert…, CO

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 5, 2025
Matt Culpepper
CMC led trip from Acorn Creek TH to Ute Peak via Ute Peak Trl. (9.6/3870) 3.3mi
Sep 7, 2022
Paul Gallaher
Beautiful panoramas of the Gore Range. Too bad it's a bit smoky today from out of state fires. 2.8mi — 1h 30m
Aug 23, 2020
Mark Warner
Aug 16, 2020
John TZen
Oct 6, 2019
Wiebe Gortmaker
Jun 9, 2019
Mark Stratton
Dec 31, 2018
AOSB __
Hiked w Meg and Ej in snow. 3.5mi
May 24, 2018
James Lovejoy
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