Pennsylvania Gulch 3/4

Pennsylvania Gulch
Boulder County, Colorado
Roosevelt National Forest 
Boulder Ranger District 
View this on the Colorado Trailheads Map

County Road: 95J
Trail Type: Straight Through
Nearby Towns: Sunset, Nederland
Nearby Trails: Switzerland Trail, Sugarloaf Mountain, Peewink Mountain, Gordon Gulch
Trail Length: 1.97 miles
Elevation: 7,775 to 9,018 feet

Though this trail is very short it packs a big punch. It must be run from Sunset on the northeast side to the end on the southwest side at Sugarloaf Mountain trail. Pennsylvania Gulch is one long hill, and if you run it in this direction you will be going uphill and you will have the right-of-way. There are very few places where two vehicles could pass each other. Do not run this in the downhill direction.

Pennsylvania Gulch starts off of Switzerland Trail just off of the main intersection in the tiny town of Sunset. It is forest service road 95J. If you are headed up a steep hill you are on the right trail. If the trail stays fairly flat and mellow you are probably on Switzerland Trail.

The hill starts as a rocky one and it quickly gets steep and narrow. The rocks are loose, and in some places they can be fairly large. This trail would be difficult in a vehicle without much clearance, and 4-wheel drive is required. It could be impossible if wet or snowy.

There is an exposed section of trail that leans you out in the downhill direction, but it is doable as long as it is not washed out.

The trail finishes with a pass through tight trees that brush against your vehicle. Soon you connect with the far end of the Sugarloaf Mountain trail. Turn right to get to Highway 72 or left to do the majority of Sugarloaf Mountain.

Information last updated on June 28th, 2010.

Driving Directions

From Boulder, take Canyon Boulevard west and then turn right at Fourmile Canyon Drive. Take this road (County Road 118) all the way to the tiny town of Sunset. At the intersection there, turn left and continue up the hill to start Pennsylvania Gulch.

Low-End Rating:3High-End Rating:4Rock Crawling:http://www.traildamage.com/images/legend_jeep.gif http://www.traildamage.com/images/legend_jeep.gifDirt & Mud:http://www.traildamage.com/images/legend_jeep.gifWater Crossings:http://www.traildamage.com/images/legend_jeep.gifPlaygrounds:http://www.traildamage.com/images/legend_jeep.gifCliffs & Ledges:http://www.traildamage.com/images/legend_jeep.gif http://www.traildamage.com/images/legend_jeep.gifClimbs & Descents:http://www.traildamage.com/images/legend_jeep.gif http://www.traildamage.com/images/legend_jeep.gif http://www.traildamage.com/images/legend_jeep.gif http://www.traildamage.com/images/legend_jeep.gif http://www.traildamage.com/images/legend_jeep.gifElevation:http://www.traildamage.com/images/legend_jeep.gif http://www.traildamage.com/images/legend_jeep.gif http://www.traildamage.com/images/legend_jeep.gifScenery:http://www.traildamage.com/images/legend_jeep.gif http://www.traildamage.com/images/legend_jeep.gif http://www.traildamage.com/images/legend_jeep.gifOther Activities:http://www.traildamage.com/images/legend_jeep.gif