Slumgullion to Powderhorn — San Juan Plateau High Bench via Los Pinos River Divide
San Juan mesa country with zero crowds.
Most people know Slumgullion Pass from the highway pullout photo op — a yellow hillside of ancient volcanic debris that dammed the Lake Fork of the Gunnison and buried a village in 1700. But push past that overlook onto Forest Road 788 and the crowds vanish fast. This route climbs through aspen and spruce onto the broad mesa country above 11,000 feet, working northwest along the Los Pinos River divide before dropping toward the Powderhorn Wilderness boundary near Calf Creek Mesa. The views north across the Gunnison Basin are enormous. Expect soft, rutted two-track through meadows that hold snow well into June and turn to mud in summer thunderstorms.
A capable stock 4WD with high clearance handles this in dry conditions, but skid plates and all-terrain tires earn their keep on the rocky shelf sections above Powderhorn Creek. No permit required. Best window is mid-July through September — the plateau sits above 11,000 feet and the road closes with first heavy snow. Fuel and water in Lake City before you leave; there’s nothing out here. Dispersed camping is legal on Gunnison National Forest land throughout. Cell service dies before you reach the top. This is a genuine San Juan solitude route, not a tourist loop.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 34 mi / 54.7 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 11480 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Lake City, CO |
| Land manager | Gunnison National Forest — Gunnison Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | GMUG National Forest |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle this trail without modifications?
Yes — a stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle is the minimum and will get through in dry conditions. Lifted rigs have more margin on the rougher shelf sections, but this isn't a trail that demands lockers or a lift.
When does this route typically open and close each season?
July through September is the reliable window. Snowpack lingers on the plateau past 11,000 feet well into June, and early October storms can close the high sections fast — sometimes overnight.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp along it?
No permit required. The route runs through Gunnison National Forest under Gunnison Ranger District jurisdiction, so dispersed camping is allowed under standard National Forest rules — 14-day stay limit, 300 feet from water and roads.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The Los Pinos River Divide area has the roughest shelf road segments — narrow, loose, and exposed with limited bailout options. Nothing technical enough to stop a capable stock rig, but it demands attention and isn't the place to find out your brakes are soft.
Are the water crossings actual obstacles, and where should I fill drinking water along the route?
The crossings are generally passable in summer but can run higher after heavy rain or during early-season snowmelt — treat them seriously, not as a given. Bring enough treated water from Lake City; cell service is completely dead on this route and there's no bailout resupply between the two endpoints.
Trail track
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