Moon & Gamble Gulches

Total Miles8.5
Technical Rating
5Moderate
Best TimeSummer, Fall
Trail TypeFull-Width Road
Accessible By
Open Trail Map

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.

Photos of Moon & Gamble Gulches

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.

Technical Rating

5

Status Reports

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Remington A
Jun 07, 2026
2021 Toyota Tacoma
Open
Normal
Couple of jeeps, some dirt bikes, and the trail was clear. Went down both sides and didn’t hit any trees. Tight in a couple of spots and a diff locker is helpful for a couple of sections or I just picked the wrong line.
Hunter Hicks
Jun 06, 2026
Obstructed
Downed Tree
Two downed trees where East Dakota Hill Road meets the Moon and Gamble Gulches trail. Didn’t have anything to cut them up with or remove them with. Had to back out and go around.
Wiky
May 31, 2026
2007 Toyota Tacoma
Open
Rough/DeterioratedNormal
Joined the trail on apex took 412 to 417, narrow and Rocky
J Allen
May 10, 2026
2021 Jeep Rubicon 2 Door
Open
NormalMuddy/WetSnow/Ice
Great run today. Trail was in really good shape, some snow but nothing too deep.
Bruno Lutz
Apr 08, 2026
Obstructed
Deep Snow
Judd Matheny
Feb 23, 2026
Obstructed
Deep Snow
Spot with some deep snow and clearly someone had gotten stuck. Tried to go around but no luck.
Ryan O’Malley
Nov 03, 2025
2012 Toyota 4Runner
Open
Rough/Deteriorated
Caitlyhn Vaughn
Aug 20, 2025
2020 Toyota 4Runner
Open
Bill Haskins
Aug 08, 2025
2024 Tesla Cybertruck
Open
Dusty
Nice and quiet trail, exposed/rocky for half, tight trees through the other half. One spot needed diff, and you can easily drive around the mud pit. Trees are a hair tight for an annoyingly wide and long Cybertruck - popped my passenger rearview mirror and shattered the glass behind it. Rookie move, should be ok if you go slow and don't mind a few scratches.
Chris Hebeler
Jul 11, 2025
2013 Lexus GX
Open
Normal
Trail Review – July 2025 Moon & Gamble / Kingston Peak Loop (FR 290/411), starting via Spur 417.1 No obstructions. The mud pit has been tamed ! Access & Conditions Mud-pit bypass: extra trees cut and fresh fill added; I slipped around easily. A full-size truck (larger than a Raptor) could clear the pit, but the tight tree corridor beyond will stop anything that wide from finishing the loop. ( I added a low quality picture) Western half still has a few off-camber, tipsy stretches—crawl slowly and keep your uphill slider kissing the bank. Scenery End-to-end 10/10 views: alpine tundra, Mount Evans on the skyline, marmots everywhere. Wildflowers are peaking right now...bring the camera!!! Difficulty Main loop: solid 5 / 10 “Moderate.” A stock 4×4 with decent A/Ts is fine if you pick lines. Shortcut caution: FR 417.1 looks like an easy connector but is 6 / 10—steep (≈ 20 % grade), loose talus, and zero turn-outs until the top. Sliders recommended.
Jack Stussi
Jun 29, 2025
Obstructed
Washout
Mud pit as previously reported and pictured still in poor shape. A tree was cut down allowing for access to most side-by-sides and smaller trucks
Dan Hill
Jun 01, 2025
Obstructed
Deep Snow
North side passable by dirt bike and maybe ATV. 4x4 could be a bit sketchy in a few spots. Melting fast. Somebody could probably plow through it any day now. South side all clear.
Will B
May 22, 2025
2024 Toyota 4Runner
Obstructed
Deep SnowDowned Tree
Maximilian Monahan
May 17, 2025
2019 Ford F-Series
Obstructed
Deep Snow
Large snow drift on the switchback past the Pickle Gulch switchback. Impassable in my Raptor
Noah H
Apr 23, 2025
2002 Toyota 4Runner
Open
Muddy/WetSnow/IceRough/Deteriorated
Trail is relatively do-able with small-medium snow drifts. Until about 2-3 miles in where the trail is blocked by a large snow drift 5-6’ deep. Tried to get over it in my stock 02 4Runner and got no further than 15’ across.

Moon & Gamble Gulches Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

  • Single Track
  • 50 Inch
  • 60 Inch
  • High Clearance
  • Full Width

Access Description

The trail is open year-round. Unlicensed vehicles are permitted, and parking is available along Moon Gulch Road and at the southern end of the trail.

Moon & Gamble Gulches Map

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