Continental Divide Trail: Herman Gulch to Jones Pass - 17.0 Miles Round-Trip

The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) stretches over 3100 miles from Mexico to Canada, 800 miles of which pass through Colorado.

There are innumerable places to pick up the trail, many within an hour drive of the Denver metro area. One such point is Herman Gulch, located north of Bakerville, CO in the Clear Creek Ranger District of the Arapaho National Forest.

This segment of the CDT scales two rich drainages up to the Divide, where it runs north at elevations between 12,500' - 13,300' to its next access point at Jones Pass.

This lengthy and challenging section is positioned well for a two car shuttle, but can be completed in a day with good physical conditioning and cooperative weather.

Visitors will enjoy miles of open travel at exhilarating heights, unabated panoramas across the northeastern Rockies and diverse wildlife viewing opportunities throughout.

The Herman Gulch Trail begins on a mild grade through fir and aspen to the Watrous Gulch Trail split and bears north (.17 miles : 10,376').

It steepens considerably on a wide, rocky track to Herman Gulch, where it bends NW and moderates along the creek (.5 miles : 10,690'). The trail rises steadily into a long, wide meadow in the lower gulch (1.05 miles : 10,940').

The grade relaxes up a widening valley with views of Pettingell Peak (13,553') and Hagar Mountain (13,195'). Look for moose along the willow-lined creek below, and elk on the slopes of Mount Bethel (12,705') to the south.

Travel is quick while gaining only 300' between the first and second mile (2.0 miles : 11,288').

At 2.45 miles (11,464') it edges back into a healthy forest and climbs steeply above the gulch, passing through treeline just before reaching the Jones Pass split (2.85 miles : 11,838').

The CDT bends sharply east and glides easily across treeline to a crest separating Herman Gulch from the Woods Creek drainage (3.5 miles : 11,953').

Note that a spur branches east from this crest to reach nearby summits, a tempting excursion for those with time, and important navigational mark on the return.

Here the trail veers NW and drops gently through a transitional landscape across Woods Creek; once over it angles back NE and steepens into the tundra (3.95 miles : 11,878').

The trail climbs steadily through open space to a cairn and sharp northwest turn for a strenuous push to the Divide (4.7 miles : 12,408').

The triangular summit of Pettingell Peak dominates the foreground as you come upon the Divide and first glimpse down the west side (5.15 miles : 12,807').

Another spur peels off to reach Pettingell, but you'll bear north on what become tightly wound switchbacks up to a pointy summit (5.5 miles : 13,143').

The trail continues down a short saddle and up to a second summit - the route's highest point (5.75 miles : 13,232'). This is a an ideal turnaround point for those with limited time.

From the second summit, the trail drops and rises back on a notably rugged path that wraps just below the west side of a third summit.

Tread carefully through this uneven talus. Once through (6.0 miles : 13,079'), conditions improve considerably on the final 2.5 mile run to Jones Pass. While grades are modest, they're cumulatively taxing at this elevation. Pace yourself, as the return from Jones Pass requires another 1,600' of climbing back to Herman Gulch.

The trail moves to the Divide's center, dipping and rising along lofty saddles with sensational views in every direction. Hassel Lake (11,335') can be seen immediately down the east slope, backed by countless summits of the Winter Park and James Peak Wilderness Area.

To the west are panoramas of the Gore Range, and everything in between. Look for ptarmigan, marmot and mountain goat defying the highest ridges as you progress.

With Jones Pass in sight, the trail passes under power lines (7.8 miles : 12,581') and crosses a short talus field on the west side of a small summit (8.0 miles : 12,621'). Once over, it drops swiftly down a rocky path to the dirt road and parking area at Jones Pass (8.5 miles : 12,468').