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4 Day - BPX- West Elk Wilderness: Mill Castle Trail to Lowline Trail Loop


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4 Day - BPX- West Elk Wilderness: Mill Castle Trail to Lowline Trail Loop

This 25.4 mile / 6,406 ft. elevation gain loop in the West Elk Wilderness Area. The West Elk Wilderness within Gunnison National Forest is 176,412 acres and is the fifth largest Wilderness in Colorado. Elevations range from 7,000 to over 13,000 feet. This Wilderness is a large untamed area with little visitation. Only during fall hunting season do the trails and campsites fill with people. Elk and deer number in the thousands. Here you’ll find mountain passes leading to secluded valleys filled with beaver ponds and lined with trembling aspen that turn gold in September.

Suggested Backpacking Section (BPX) itinerary for 4-day trip to be used for CMC trips led by BPX leaders for BPX members:

Day 1: Park and start hike at Mill Creek Trailhead (also called Mill Castle Trailhead). Hike about 6-7 miles along the Mill Castle Trail #450. Find camping along Mill Creek. (7 miles, +2,754 ft.).

Day 1 Route

Day 2: Optional early hike up storm pass for sunrise on storm pass. Supposed to be a spectacular view of the Castles and the West Elk mountains from here. Leave camp and hike 7-8 miles on Mill Castle Trail #450 to Castle Creek and unnamed lakes at the base of the Castles (7.6 miles, 1,540 ft.). Find camping near the junction of Mill Castle Trail and Lowline Trail.

Day 2 Route

Day 3: Off day - no backpacking. There are lots of trails in the area to explore and day hike.

Day 4: Hike the Lowline Trail #438 all the way back to the Mill Creek Trailhead (10.7 miles, +2,161 / -3,069 ft.).

Overall Route

  • Difficulty: Challenging
  • Length: 25.4 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 6,406 ft
  • 12,463 ft
  • Land Manager: U.S. Forest Service
    West Elk Wilderness Area, Gunnison Ranger District (GMUG)
  • Parking Permit Required: USFS Permits & Passes
  • Recommended Party Size: 8
  • Maximum Party Size: 12
  • Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
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