Horseback Riding Trails Near Lake City

Trail descriptions courtesy Claude Thormalen.  Thanks, Claude!

Alpine Gulch Trail to Williams Creek
  • BLM Trail T3301
  • 13.5 miles
The Alpine Gulch trailhead is about 2 miles from Lake City on County Road 20 (Engineer Pass road).  Trailer parking is available at the trailhead.  A pedestrian bridge crosses Henson Creek at the start; for horses, there is a good water crossing to the east (downstream) of the bridge.  There are 8 or 9 crossings of  the Alpine Gulch creek.  The trail does get steep as it goes up over the pass to Williams Creek, however, it is a good trail.   The trail is not really well marked up high, so make sure to bring a good map.  See the BLM's Alpine Gulch Trail page and the Williams Creek Trail page for more information.

Larsen Lakes & Crystal Lake Loop
  • National Forest Trails 235 & 236
  • 13.8 miles
Larsen Lake and Crystal Lake trails are both very nice horse trails and the parking is good.  The trailhead is located in Lake City at the north end of town, next to the Upper Cemetery.  For a hard day's ride, the trail loops and comes back around so you could visit both lakes in one day.  A more leisurely option is to stay over and camp, and is easier on your horse.  More about these trails.

Independence Creek Trail
  • National Forest Trail 244
Independence Creek trail, about 5 1/2 miles north of town, is a good horse trail.  For longer journeys, this trail connect ups with the Larson  Lakes Trail (above) and the Little Elk Trail, which heads north to the Alpine Plateau/Big Blue Creek Road.  There is good parking on both ends.

North Henson Creek to Matterhorn Trail
  • National Forest Trail 233 & 239
The Matterhorn Trail is a great trail that connects with Uncompahgre Peak Trail,  Ridge Stock Driveway (see below), and the Cimarron River Trail.  There is good parking at Capital City, and from there you can ride up North Henson Creek and connect with the Matterhorn Trail.

Ridge Stock Driveway
  • National Forest Trail 233
  • 25.3 miles
The Ridge Stock Driveway, a gorgeous trail, is well over 20 miles long and would take several days to ride.  It runs from American Lake to the Alpine Plateau/Big Blue Creek Road where the Alpine Corral stock pens are located.

Cataract Gulch Trail
  • BLM Trail T3318
Cataract Gulch is steep, but the parking is good.  It connects up with the Colorado Trail and goes over the divide into the south part of the county.  Read more about Cataract Gulch Trail here.

Powderhorn Lakes Trail
  • BLM Trail T3020
  • 4 miles (one way)
North of Lake City, turn at BLM Road 3033, and drive a little over 7 miles to the trail head, which is located at the Powderhorn Wilderness Boundary.  It is a nice easy day ride and the lake is beautiful.  Read more about Powderhorn Lakes Trail here.

Devils Creek Trail
  • 6.8 miles (one way)
The Devils Lake trail is a good ride with lots of parking at the trailhead.  Drive 7 miles north of Lake City, just as the highway starts to climb above the river, and take the turn on the right (east).  The trail head is on the east side of the river, on the other side of the bridge.  The trail follows Devils Creek up to Devils Lake.  Read more about this trail at the BLM site.

Brush Creek Trail to Cannibal Plateau or Devils Lake
Up past Deer Lakes about a mile is a place to park trailers and a good trail that connects up with Brush Creek trail.  You can ride up to the top of the Cannibal Plateau from there or break off north to Devils Lake.

Exploring Lake City by Horse

The Lake City area has hundreds of miles of the wildest and most beautiful horse trails in this country.  Horseback riding is a great way to slow down and take a gander at the surroundings.  Many trails into our wonderful National Wilderness Areas and public lands are horse-friendly, allowing you to go where no motorized vehicle can. 

The trails on this page are recommended for being horse-friendly, with good trailer parking and suitable trail terrain.  Before you go, be sure to check a quality trail map, such as the Gunnison Basin Public Lands Map.

Horseback riding, mountaineering and backcountry hiking can be dangerous.  Please read this Mountaineering Safety page from 14ers.com, where you'll find helpful information about exploring the mountains of Colorado.
Lodging With Your Own Horse

Elk Creek Ranch
Guests may bring their horses. Boarding fee applies. 9 miles north of Lake City.
970-884-4056
www.vrbo.com/26936

Horseback Riding Outfitters

Cadwell Outfitters
7208 County Road 50
Powderhorn, CO 81243
850-819-9355 (Sept to May)
970-641-2785 (June to Aug)
www.cadwelloutfitters.vpweb.com

Mineral Mountain Outfitters
8568 County Road 50
Powderhorn, CO 81243
970-641-2673
www.mineralmountainoutfitters.com

Vickers Ranch
162 S Hwy 149
Lake City, CO 81235
970-944-2249
www.vickersranch.net

Horseback Riding
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