Colorado Trail Segment 10 – Timberline Lake Trailhead to Halfmoon Road

Timberline Lake Trailhead: From Harrison Avenue take west 6th Street turning right on to McWethy Drive/County Road 4. Follow County Road 4 to Turquoise Lake Recreation Area. Proceed across Sugar Loafin’ Dam and follow County Road 4 past the Hagerman Pass Entrance, road changes to County Road 9. Just past the May Queen Campground entrance the Timberline Trailhead parking is on the left approximately 5.3 miles from the dam. Trail access is left/south out of the parking lot, cross over the bridge. The Colorado / Continental Divide Trail passes crosses, be watchful of signs to ensure you proceed on the correct trail.

Mount Massive Trailhead (Halfmoon Road): Take Hwy 24 south toward Twin Lakes. Approximately 5 miles from downtown turn right after the gas station on Highway 300, you will see signs for the fish hatchery. Cross the river and watch for a left hand turn on County Road 11. Shortly after the entrance to the Rolling J Ranch is a right hand turn continuing on Country Road 11/Halfmoon Road. Continue 5.5 miles on County Road 11/Forest Service Road 110 to the Mount Massive Trailhead entrance. The paved road ends and the dirt road begins into the national forest. You will drive past the campgrounds and the Mt. Elbert Trailhead. The road becomes four wheel drive only shortly after the Massive Trailhead.

Parking is limited at both Timberline Lake Trailhead and at the trailheads along Halfmoon Road. Please arrive early and watch for no parking signage. Do not park on top of vegetation along the side of the road, this damages the vegetation.

The Colorado Trail wraps around the west end of Turquoise Lake Recreation Area crossing the Hagerman Pass Road, connecting with trails of the Leadville National Fish Hatchery and along the east side of Mt. Massive. The majority of this section of the trail is in the Mount Massive Wilderness Area, it is a forested section, crisscrossing creeks and includes multiple climbs. Restrictions apply in the wilderness area such as no bikes and catch and release fishing only.

Don’t be intimidated by the trail distance if you aren’t looking to “thru-hike”, choose sections for an out and back hike to experience the beauty of the trail without the distance.