St Elmo's 50

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Geological Significance · Historical Significance · Lake · River/Creek · Views

This loop begins with a climb along paved road to the top of Cottonwood pass, where it connects with the CDT heading south for 25 miles. This section is almost entirely above tree line with non-stop views, wildflowers, and mountain lakes. Just when you have finally had enough of the thin air and lack of shade the trail descends along an easy gravel road through forests and past old mining remains into the town of St. Elmo. Stock up here at the wonderful general store and take a moment to recover as the final miles will take you from valley floor to alpine pass and back twice. Finally, right off the summit of the final pass, the trail has one last gem in store as it takes you along the shores of the biggest alpine lake of the loop. Ptarmigan Lake, before descending 3 miles back to the car.

This route begins and ends at Ptarmigan Lake Trail #1444 trailhead on cottonwood pass road. It begins by turning left out of the parking lot and ascending paved road for 4.5 miles to Cottonwood pass. This section can get busy, but it does have enough shoulder throughout to run safety.

At top of the pass the route turns south (left) on to CDT: Tincup Pass Road to Cottonwood Pass Road (CO Sec. 21). On the first climb of this section there are numerous social trails so be carful stay on CDT. This section is 15 miles of perfect alpine singletrack steeply rolling along the ridgeline. Its a great mix of everything from technical scree crossings, to buttery smooth trail with near constant 360 degree views. There are multiple stream crossings along this section to filter water as needed. At the end of this section the trail descends quickly and dips below tree line to meet up with Tincup road.

Here if you are feeling tired you can short cut down along Tin Cup road to St Elmo and cut about 10 miles off the loop.

After Tincup pass road the route continues south on CDT: Hancock to Tincup Pass Road (CO Sec. 20). This section is 8 miles long and starts with a long moderate climb back into the alpine, then rolls through alpine for another 3 miles before meeting up with old railway grade at mile 5. If you turn left (uphill) you can see the site of an old narrow gauge railway tunnel. The route turns to the right (downhill) and descends railway grade for 3 miles before meeting up with Hancock Road.

The route then descends a long Hancock Road for 5 miles to St. Elmo's ghost town. At the beginning of this section the road crosses Chalk Creek, if you need water fill up here as there are not any good, easily accessible water sources during this section.

St. Elmo is well preserved ghost town with a general store that is open from 10am to 4pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The general store has drinks, snacks, and ice-cream and takes credit cards.

From St. Elmo Store head to Poplar Gulch Trail, note the the most direct route crosses private property so you'll need to turn left on hill out of town and follow signs to the trailhead. Poplar Gulch is the toughest climb of the whole route, climbing 2000 ft in 3 miles from St Elmo at 10k ft up to 12k ft at laws pass. You cross 1 stream on the climb, and the trail can be hot and dusty (it is popular with dirt bikes), so make sure to bring enough water.

From end of Poplar Gulch cross a large stream then turn left onto South Cottonwood Road. Continue along mildly climbing road for 2.3 miles before turning right onto Grass Gulch 4wd rd., the final climb of the route. The road here becomes rough and climbs steeply for about 2 miles before getting to the Ptarmigan Lake Trail #1444 trailhead. Follow the Ptarmigan Lake Trail as it gains final pass, then take you alongside this beautiful mountain lake. From lake trail descends 3 rocky but runnable miles to back to your car. Pat yourself on the back and celebrate with your favorite snack or beverage, you've earned it after this huge day.