Poplar Gulch Trail

Dogs Off-leash

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

This trail is 100% singletrack from the outskirts of the ghost town of St. Elmo. It travels over an unnamed pass with gorgeous views of the southern Collegiate Peaks and the Continental Divide.

Located just outside the ghost town of St. Elmo, the Poplar Gulch Trail starts in the trees with a short flat section, then begins climbing with a few long switchbacks. You'll eventually make it to an open meadow where you can start to glimpse the pass.

When you get to the pass, take some time to soak it all in before descending the north side to Cottonwood Creek. There are some gorgeous views to be had from the top of the pass. The south side is very smooth terrain while the north side is also mostly smooth hiking, but has a couple of rocky sections.

If doing the entire Poplar Gulch Trail as an out and back, just remember to save enough energy for the return trip as you'll have to climb back up the pass before a final descent back to your starting point.

If starting the trail from the north terminus with FR 344, the trail will be referred to as Green Tiber Gulch instead of Poplar Gulch