Dotsero Crater

Total Miles
12.9

Elevation

2376.5 ft

Duration

2.5 Hours

Technical Rating

4

Moderate

Best Time

Summer, Fall

Trail Overview

Popular with OHVs and dirt bikes, this trail takes you to the Dotsero Crater and through the BLM Gypsum Hills Area, also a popular off-roading area. If you have time, stay and watch the extreme riders attempt Tie Rod Bender trail.

Difficulty

Moderate. Most roads are wide and easy, except one steep section. The first half of the trail is clay-surface and is impassable when wet.

History

Dotsero is an important railroad junction, once designated Dot Zero, from which the location got its name. The Dotsero Crater is a volcano that erupted about 4,000 years ago, making it Colorado's most recent eruption. For many years, the main industry for the area was the production of cinder blocks. Source: Wikipedia

Technical Rating

4

Access Description

Take I-70 to Gypsum,Exit 140. From north side of exit, head north uphill on County Road 51. First part of road accesses the Eagle Gypsum Mine, so watch for fast-moving trucks.