Crystal Lake Road & Wheeler Trail
14.6 mi · ▲ 5,177 ft · 7 hr 27 min
Crystal Lake Road & Wheeler Trail is a 14.6-mile out-and-back near Wheeler Junction, CO. It climbs 5,177 ft, with sections as steep as 27% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 60/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Crystal Lake Road & Wheeler Trail
14.6 mi · ▲ 5,177 ft · 7 hr 27 min
Elevation 9,756–12,537 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Wheeler Trail · 39.49734, -106.13638
Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 73°F / low 45° · precip 8% · wind 2 mph · sunrise 6:37 AM · sunset 7:31 PM
Horses allowed on the whole route · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Wheeler Trail, heading E.
- 6.1 miBear left onto Crystal Lake Road, heading S.
- 1.1 miReach Wheeler Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.1 miBear right onto Wheeler Trail, heading W.
- 2.7 miBear left, heading NW.
- 3.4 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.0 mi in (~143 min). Leave by 4:48 PM for the 7:31 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Horses allowed on the whole route
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Wheeler Trail Trailhead
- Curtain Ponds–Fremont Pass Recreational Pathway, 3 sights 1.9 mi · ▲ 82 ft
- Fremont Pass Recreational Pathway 2.6 mi · ▲ 56 ft
- Fremont Pass Recreational Pathway Loop 3.1 mi · ▲ 286 ft
- Fremont Pass Recreational Pathway Loop 3.1 mi · ▲ 287 ft
- Colorado Trail (Segment 8) 3.6 mi · ▲ 489 ft
- West Lake & Colorado Trail (Segment 8) 3.9 mi · ▲ 497 ft
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Hikes near Wheeler Junction, Colorado