Trail Overview
Moon & Gamble Gulches is a moderately challenging, 8.5-mile unpaved route that connects to Dakota Hill. Climbing from 9,199 to 10,625 feet, the first half of the trail is exceptionally narrow and winding, with tight trees that may brush against full-sized vehicles. The remaining sections are rocky and slow-going, requiring high-clearance.
Unmarked forest service roads make navigation tricky, so carrying a map is recommended. A short side spur leads to a well-preserved historic mining shaft house, though the optional descent from this point is very steep and narrow.
Difficulty
Moderate. First half of trail is very narrow between tight trees. Expect some brush marks. Balance of trail is narrow, rocky and slow-going. Optional road going downhill after shaft house is very narrow and steep.
History
The historic shaft house along the trail is believed to have supplied ore to the 1880s boom town of Perigo, located nearby in Gamble Gulch. Perigo had an active post office between 1897 and 1905, but virtually nothing remains today after the property owner reportedly dynamited the structures to lower property taxes.