Gold Hill

Overview

Gold Hill rises to the northeast of Palmyra Peak in Telluride Ski Resort near the town of Telluride in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. Gold Hill has only 160 ft of prominence and is therefore not a ranked peak but it is an officially named Colorado summit.

Several ski lifts go up the slopes of Gold Hill to various spots on its slopes. In summer, these lifts are closed. There is however a gondola line that operates year round going from the town of Telluride (8740 ft) to a place called St. Sophia Station (10540 ft) before dropping into Telluride Mountain Village (9560 ft). From St. Sophia Station, you could follow the “See Forever Trail” up the ski runs to reach the summit of Gold Hill. A more scenic option is to start in the town of Telluride and hike up Bear Canyon Trail. Gold Hill is often climbed as a 9.8 mile loop up from St. Sophia Station and down into Bear Creek Canyon to end in the town of Telluride.




L to R: Gold Hill, Palmyra Peak & Silver Mountain, north face

Getting There

Bear Canyon/Wasatch Trailhead is at the south end of Pine Street in Telluride. Gondola to St. Sophia Station is at the south end of Oak Street. Parking in Telluride is limited. Start early.

The other end of Gondola to St. Sophia Station is in the center of Telluride Mountain Village. No public parking is available here. You must park at the pay garages on Mountain Village Blvd. some distance away or stay at local establishments.

Route, up St. Sophia Station, down Bear Creek Canyon

All distances are per my GPS

Place	Elevation	Distance
Station St. Sophia	10540 ft	zero miles
Gold Hill Summit	12740 ft	3.50 miles

From St. Sophia Station follow the signs for “See Forever Trail” up the ski slopes and maintenance roads all the way to the top of Gold Hill. At 12260 you will reach the top of “Gold Hill Express” Ski Lift and at 12480 ft the top of “Revelation Bowl” Ski Lift at the base of a cliff. The maintenance road goes on the east side of the cliff making switchbacks to reach the very broad summit of Gold Hill.





Views from the summit of Gold Hill:









Since this trail is often used as a descent route, I will describe it as such.
All distances are per my GPS

Place	Elevation	Distance
Summit of Gold Hill	12740 ft	zero miles
Gold Hill Trail	12200 ft	0.60 miles
Junction with Wasatch Trail	11560 ft	1.45 miles
Junction with east fork of Wasatch Trail	10880 ft	0.85 miles
Junction with Bear Creek Trail	9660 ft	1.35 miles
Pine St. Bear Creek Trailhead	8780ft	1.85 miles
Oak St. Gondola	8740 ft	0.20 miles
Total	-	6.30 miles

From the summit of Gold Hill, head north retracing your route back down See Forever Trail. At an elevation of 12200 ft, just to the north of Gold Hill Express Ski Lift, you will see a trail on the east side going north down into Bear Creek Canyon. Turn onto this trail and follow it downhill.





After a few switchbacks, you will reach the junction with Wasatch Trail.



Right goes uphill. Turn left and follow the trail downhill.







After a few more switchbacks, you will reach the junction with the East Fork of Wasatch Trail. Continue left downhill.




You will then find yourself on top of a water cascade. The trail goes down on the west side of the cascade.




The trail continues down.





The trail makes more switchbacks. Bear Creek Waterfall will be visible.





You will then reach Bear Creek Trail and follow it north to reach the trailhead at the end of Pine Street in Telluride. To reach the gondola, turn left heading west. Cross the stream over a bridge and continue west until you reach Oak Street.

Red Tape

No fees or permits in summer, in ski season, contact the ski resort for all rules and regulations.

Images

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