Pennsylvania Gulch

Total Miles
2.0

Elevation

2,747.38 ft

Duration

1 Hours

Technical Rating

7

Difficult

Best Time

Summer, Fall

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Pennsylvania Gulch 4

Trail Overview

Go from Sunset, CO to Highway 72 on this fun route. If you want to make a loop, use the first portion of the Switzerland Trail. This will also offer a bit more challenge. The upper portion of the trail goes through a small residential area. It is open all year. Check weather first.

Photos of Pennsylvania Gulch

Pennsylvania Gulch
Pennsylvania Gulch

Difficulty

Difficult. One section is washed out with deep ruts, exposed tree roots and large, loose rocks. Very narrow shelf road for most of its length, with very few places to pass an oncoming vehicle. Please keep in mind that this is a county road and could be graded at any time. In past years, the road has been left in its natural state.

Technical Rating

7

Status Reports

Corey Levy
Jun 08, 2024
SxS
Open
Normal
Dusty
Rough/Deteriorated
Not too difficult for this mostly stock RZR pro w/30” tires. One P.U truck passed us heading east (downhill direction of loop). Was dry conditions today. challenging mainly due to being so narrow and eroded. Not many large rocks to crawl over though.
Timothy Broughton
Jun 05, 2024
Open
Rough/Deteriorated
Reiter S
Apr 21, 2024
2023 Jeep Gladiator
Open
Snow/Ice
Rough/Deteriorated
Snowpack is still apparent on this road, and becomes very narrow toward the top when coming from Sunset. Snow and mud made it hard to gain traction, and had to back down due to lack of traction despite deflation. Was advised by driver in SXS that it becomes narrow at the top, and may be difficult for Jeeps to get past. Would recommend this for SXS only at this time.
Dj Juris
Jan 22, 2024
4x4
Open
Muddy/Wet
Snow/Ice
Hard pack snow and lots of Ice. Some gravel/rocky areas. 18 degree uphill grade with a pitch of 16-20. Self recovery gear required. Had to winch 2x in order to bypass the steepest parts. Overall very fun challenging trail.

Access Description

The most direct way to reach the start of this trail is to leave Boulder on Highway 119 and turn right on Fourmile Canyon Road 118. Follow this road to town of Sunset and turn left on C.R. 93. Go to first switchback, less than 0.2 mile, to trail on right. Or, just follow directions for Switzerland Trail #29, which takes you past the entrance to Pennsylvania Gulch just south of the town of Sunset.

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