Snodgrass

Snodgrass Trail #590 connects Gothic Road (Snodgrass Trailhead) and Washington Gulch Road. The trail traverses private property, and access to that private property does close seasonally – usually during the third week of August.  It is easily accessed on the east side, Gothic Road side, Snodgrass TH side, with ample parking, a trailhead kiosk, bathroom (thanks Mt. CB), and maps. On the West end, there is also some parking (courtesy of the private landowners), but it’s on private land that closes seasonally.

The trail does cross private property a bit after mid-way (going East to West), and there are seasonal closures.  The trail then emerges on public land again (USFS land), with access from Meridian Lake Meadows (Kissing Gate), then goes back into private property on the far West end, where it meets up with Washington Gulch road.  The seasonal closures on private property prevent the full traverse of the trail, but the public land access is there to allow folks to enjoy the public lands as they may without trespassing. Do respect the private property and the closure.

The trail rides best from east to west starting at the Snodgrass Trailhead and finishing on Washington Gulch Rd. This point-to-point trail winds through Aspen groves and wildflower meadows. Ride it as an out and back or loop it with some easy road pedaling.  Snodgrass is well approached via Mt. CB, CBMR trails, and Gothic Road.  It makes for some great loops, but for ending on Washington Gulch road and there are no other legal alternatives there for the exit, besides the road.

CBMBA has vehemently advocated for re-routes off of private property in an effort to avoid the miscommunications, misleading information, and grossly exaggerated ‘closure’ timeline (cows only there a few weeks), let alone the right of the public for access to public lands.   Please reach out to the Gunnison District Ranger, Dayle Funka (dayle.funka@usda.gov/970.641-0471) and/or the GMUG Forest Supervisor (Sean Ferrell/Deputy Supervisor – M.FS.r2gmuginfo@usda.gov/970-874-6600) to voice your concern around public land access.