| About Gunnison National Forest |
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| Soap Basin Trail |
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Ending Elevation:
9,380 Feet
USGS Maps:
Big Soap Creek, West Elk Peak
Usage:
Light
Trail Number:
442
Recommended Season:
Late Summer
Beginning Elevation:
8,480 Feet
High Point:
11,200 Feet
Elevation Gain:
2,720 Feet
Difficulty:
Moderate
Length:
11.5 Miles
Reservation:
No
From Gunnison, Travel west from Gunnison on Highway 50. Continue past Blue Mesa Reservoir toward Sapinero. Approximately 2.25 miles west of Sapinero turn north on to Highway 92. Travel about 1.5 miles on 92 and make a right turn on to Forest Road 721. Follow this along the western lake shore and passed Ponderosa and Soap Creek Campgrounds. Travel 11.5 miles north on Soap Creek Road to the trailhead.
Location Information
Soap Basin Trail, 442, leads north from Soap Creek Road, 721, into the West Elk Wilderness. It begins at the Soap Creek Trailhead, which lies at approximately 8,480 feet. The trail parallels Soap Creek for one and a half miles before it forks. East Soap Creek Trail, 535, lies to the right at this fork, following East Soap Creek. Soap Creek Trail, 443, and Soap Basin Trail follow the left fork climbing steeply for one mile before they split. At this second fork Soap Basin Trail leads to the right leaving all water sources. This fork lies at approximately 9,160 feet.Soap Basin Trail climbs steadily for almost three miles reaching a high point of 11,200 feet. The last mile before Soap Basin Trail meets Sun Park Trail remains relatively level at approximately 11,000 feet. At the intersection of these two paths, Soap Basin Trail leads northward (to the left) and descends steadily into Soap Basin. One and a quarter miles from the convergence of the two trails, Soap Basin crosses a small stream and begins to lead westward. The trail parallels the path of the Soap Creek headwaters for two miles to its intersection with Soap Creek Trail, 443. Soap Basin Trail leads north from this intersection after crossing Soap Creek. The tread climbs to 10,000 feet within a mile and a half then it begins to descend. After a mile of gently descending the trail reaches its northern terminus at the Little Robinson Cow Camp. Trails 850 and 856, Little Robinson Trail and Peter Creek Trail, respectively, lead north and west from the cow camp.
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