Trail Overview

The trailhead to Pistol Butte has a gate (it was open upon my arrival on 10/14/23). It will take about an hour to summit and an hour to return. Add a couple of hours for those things that might happen. The beginning of the trail is not timid, as you can feel the incline and loose rocks slipping under your wheels. It doesn't get any easier. As you continue upward there becomes an urgency to not stop and there really isn't a good place to do so until you reach a fork right before the summit. It is here that you will have to decide whether to commit or quit. The last stretch is a no-turn-around rocky vert with rear axle lockers recommended because if you start to slip you will be pinned against a tree. Get ready for a 10-point turnaround on the top. Spend the night. You earned it! Push Forward.

Photos of Pistol Butte Summit

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Difficulty

This trail consists of lots of loose rocks, off-camber switchbacks, the summit has loose dirt, trees narrowing the trail, extremely loose rocks, and steep vert at the final summit.

History

This is an old Pistol Butte Lookout built in 1932 with only the foundation points remaining. This 20' pole L-4 tower went to emergency status in 1952, and was destroyed by 1969. Elevation is 5154'

Technical Rating

PJ Hale

Mar 14, 2026

Open

The first part was pretty standard fare: rocky and off camber. Somewhere in the middle, the mood became more serious. Very close trees, loose dirt, larger rocks, and higher penalties for screwing up. There’s a spot where a tamer road turns right for an alternate path up. That looked pretty sketchy. Less incline, true, but very loose and off camber. And it would leave you with a tough right turn if you continued up. I stuck with the original trail and went straight up and over a root section instead to head towards the last rocky, steep little climb. Pretty narrow. If there was snow, I’d probably leave this one alone.

Tobias W

Jan 25, 2025

Open

Deep snow chance you will get stuck if you do decided to go bring recovery gear and a shovel. Advise you don’t go alone.