Herman Lake and Woods Mountain Loop, Herman Gulch, Colorado
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 14.59 mi
- Elevation gain
- 6,608 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Difficult
- Elevation loss
- 6,608 ft
- Max elevation
- 13,535 ft
- TrailRank
- 24
- Min elevation
- 10,202 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 8 hours 8 minutes
- Coordinates
- 7743
- Uploaded
- March 2, 2014
- Recorded
- August 2013
near Bakerville, Colorado (United States)
Viewed 940 times, downloaded 6 times
Itinerary description
Technical level: easy to moderate
Fitness level: moderate to strenuous
Crowd: moderate to light
This GPS track follows a loop hike starting from Herman Gulch trailhead, following Herman Gulch Trail to Herman Lake. From Herman Lake, some off trail hiking takes you to the summit Pettingell Peak before back tracking a little then following a ridge to Woods Mountain. This track then descent to Watrous Gulch Trail and follow it back to the trailhead to finish the loop.
Many variations of this route are possible. For an easier outing without climbing any 13'ers, follow the track to Herman Lake, but instead of hiking to the top of Pettingell Peak, back track a little on the Herman Gulch Trail to the junction of Continental Divide Trail, then follow the CDT north to find the faint trail to Woods Mountain, where you will get back onto this GPS track again.
From the top of Pettingell Peak, it is possible to follow the ridge east instead of back track the way you climbed up. CAUTION: the ridge is class 3 and quite difficult for hikers. Please do not attempt this route unless you have the ability to scramble/climb class 3 terrain.
To make this loop hike longer and more challenging, from the saddle between Woods Mountain and Mt. Parnassus, hike to the summit of Mt. Parnassus and possibly continue to Bard Peak, before finding a route down the mountain side to Watrous Gulch Trail, and follow Watrous Gulch Trail back to the trailhead. This variation is very strenuous and will most likely take a very long day.
Fitness level: moderate to strenuous
Crowd: moderate to light
This GPS track follows a loop hike starting from Herman Gulch trailhead, following Herman Gulch Trail to Herman Lake. From Herman Lake, some off trail hiking takes you to the summit Pettingell Peak before back tracking a little then following a ridge to Woods Mountain. This track then descent to Watrous Gulch Trail and follow it back to the trailhead to finish the loop.
Many variations of this route are possible. For an easier outing without climbing any 13'ers, follow the track to Herman Lake, but instead of hiking to the top of Pettingell Peak, back track a little on the Herman Gulch Trail to the junction of Continental Divide Trail, then follow the CDT north to find the faint trail to Woods Mountain, where you will get back onto this GPS track again.
From the top of Pettingell Peak, it is possible to follow the ridge east instead of back track the way you climbed up. CAUTION: the ridge is class 3 and quite difficult for hikers. Please do not attempt this route unless you have the ability to scramble/climb class 3 terrain.
To make this loop hike longer and more challenging, from the saddle between Woods Mountain and Mt. Parnassus, hike to the summit of Mt. Parnassus and possibly continue to Bard Peak, before finding a route down the mountain side to Watrous Gulch Trail, and follow Watrous Gulch Trail back to the trailhead. This variation is very strenuous and will most likely take a very long day.
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