Colorado

The Red Cloud Peak Wilderness Study Area is located in Hinsdale County, from one to 10 miles west of Lake City. The Red Cloud Peak WSA is heavily forested in the lower elevations, creating a feeling of total seclusion, and opens to tundra and multi-colored rock strata in higher terrain with broad vistas of exceptional scenic quality due to the high alpine mountainous landform including glacial cirques and alpine lakes and streams. The WSA contains 30 mountain peaks over 13,000 feet in elevation and two peaks over 14,000 feet (Red Cloud Peak (14,034 feet) and Sunshine Peak (14,001 feet)). Vegetation includes spruce, fir, alpine grasses, sedges, forbs, and a small willow species. Fauna includes mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, cutthroat trout, and the Uncompahgre Peak fritillary butterfly. The higher elevations, with its expanses of alpine tundra and open scenic vistas, provides feelings of vastness and solitude. Activities include hiking, backpacking, camping, mountain climbing, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and photography.

When Open? Area Acres Operated By
Year-round; 24 hours a day 38,327 acres Bureau of Land Management:
Gunnison Field Office
Dogs Allowed? Miles of Trail Max/Min Elev (ft)
Dogs allowed - must be on leash in developed areas 29 8,780ft - 14,040ft

Red Cloud Peak WSA Trail and Map Finder

Area Hiking Trails:
1 - Alpine Gulch Trail - NOTFINISHED
2 - Cooper Creek Trail
3 - Grizzly Gulch Trail
4 - Ridge Trail
5 - Silver Creek Trail
Area Hiking Trails:
1 - Alpine Gulch Trail - NOTFINISHED
2 - Cooper Creek Trail
3 - Grizzly Gulch Trail
4 - Ridge Trail
5 - Silver Creek Trail
6 - Sunshine Peak Trail
7 - Williams Creek Trail
Area Trailheads:
1 - Alpine Gulch Trailhead
2 - Cooper Creek Trail
3 - Silver Creek Trail
4 - Williams Creek Trail
Area Campgrounds:
1 - Williams Creek Campground- Gunnison RD