Denny Creek Trailhead

Location

RangeSawatch Range

Elevation9,900'

Lat/Lon38.815, -106.33444

Road Difficulty

0 Paved Road

2WD paved to the TH.

Driving Directions

From U.S. 24 in the center of Buena Vista, take the County 306 road towards Cottonwood Pass. Drive 12 miles on this road to reach the Denny Creek Trailhead and paved parking area on the right.

On-Site Info

ParkingPaved parking lot for approx 50 vehicles, with overflow parking along the road.

CampingNo good camping in the immediate area but the Collegiate Peaks campground is just down the road.

Restrooms?Yes

Fees?No

Photos

Winter Access

Usually the road is open to the trailhead but sometimes 3 miles lower, at the Avalanche Gulch trailhead.

Trailhead added by BillMiddlebrook

Status Updates
Map


9/8/2009 Posted On: 9/8/2009 By: Summit Assassin Info: Dry with ample parking on 9/3/09.
5/28/2009 Posted On: 5/28/2009 By: RoanMtnMan Info: Still dry and paved.
2/9/2009 Posted On: 2/9/2009 By: alpinista77 Info: Totally dry as of 07 FEB 09, packed snow on the Denny/Delaney trail suitable for bootpacking, snowshoeing, and skiing up to Yale. Skiers had skinned up to the aspen stand and skiied back. Snowshoes were an advantage to the party ahead of us on the steep slope that leads up to tree line at 12,000‘. Hard slab snow/stastrugi didn‘t require snowshoes on the slopes above 12,000 ft if traveled perpendicular to the wind. All S-SW facing snow went isothermic and faceted by 2PM that day and we had 3 foot postholes from 12,000 to 11,500 feet on decent. Trail under tree cover remained passable by foot.
12/7/2008 Posted On: 12/7/2008 By: shotgung Info: Road was clear of ice and snow as of 12-6-08. You can park at the Denny Creek TH and the gate is locked from there on up.
11/22/2008 Posted On: 11/22/2008 By: MountainHiker Info: Road completely bare of snow to trailhead.
6/26/2008 Posted On: 6/26/2008 By: BV Tom Info: Hiked to Lake Hartenstein 6-24-08. No problems getting there but had to detour around or walk over several snow banks up to 6 ft deep.
5/27/2008 Posted On: 5/27/2008 By: egano76 Info: As of 5/26/08, the trail was still pretty covered with snow most of the way in and out. If not for tracks from previous climbers, the trail would be difficult to follow. Going in was fine as the snow pack was frozen, but on the way out the snow had softened considerably and "post-holing" commenced. I‘d bring the snow shoes (at least for the trek out) if you plan on hiking Mt. Yale for the next several weeks. You‘ll be glad you did!
5/5/2008 Posted On: 5/5/2008 By: Pappy Info: Road clear of snow to trailhead, parking area also clear of snow.
5/2/2008 Posted On: 5/2/2008 By: GW Duncan Info: You can drive all the way to the TH as of 4-29. They opened the road to the normal winter closure right above the Denny Creek TH.
4/7/2008 Posted On: 4/7/2008 By: Shad Info: Still the same, no change.
2/12/2008 Posted On: 2/12/2008 By: IHikeLikeAGirl Info: Still closed to cars at Avalanche Gulch, groomed for snowmobiles beyond that. Add ~3 mi each way.
1/1/2008 Posted On: 1/1/2008 By: vegabond Info: cottonwood pass is plowed up to avalanche gulch. Road is closed past that, but is packed down from snowmobiles.
1/1/2008 Posted On: 1/1/2008 By: vegabond Info: cottonwood pass is plowed up to avalanche gulch. Road is closed past that, but is packed down from snowmobiles.
2/3/2007 Posted On: 2/3/2007 By: mtnmike Info: road is clear & dry for ~6 miles out of Buena Vista. Mostly clear with icy patches to the Avalanche Gulch TH, then snowpacked to the DEnny Creek TH. Passable to any vehicle with decent tires!
1/8/2007 Posted On: 1/8/2007 By: shanahan96 Info: the cottonwood pass road has been plowed after the most recent storm to the trailhead. there is some ice patches and some places where the snow is blown over the road. nothing unreasonable with 4wd and careful driving.

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