Rosalie Trail #603
The Rosalie Trail #603 offers a variety of subalpine and alpine scenery along its course. The trail begins either at Guanella Pass Trailhead on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests & Pawnee National Grassland to the north or from the Deer Creek Trailhead near the Deer Creek Campground to the south.
From Guanella Pass, take the trail leading south from the summit of the pass. As it begins to climb a steep hill, the trail veers east and south as it contours around the ridge. About a mile farther south, watch for a series of marker posts through the willows as the trail gradually descends to the southeast. Eventually, the trail descends to cross Scott Gomer Creek and continues southeast over a low saddle and down the valley to join the Abyss Lake Trail #602 coming up from the southwest. Less than a quarter mile further, the trails split, with the Rosalie Trail going right and the Abyss Lake Trail going left.
The next stretch of the trail is steep in places as it climbs up a glacial moraine. This section of the trail has some spectacular views of Mount Bierstadt and the sheer south flank of Mount Evans. As the trail begins to descend the other side, you will soon reach the upper end of the Threemile Trail #635. The Threemile Trail goes south, then down to Threemile Creek, and the Rosalie Trail continues southeasterly down the Deer Creek drainage. Near the wilderness boundary, the trail rises to the north away from the creek and eventually follows an old logging road to an intersection with the Tanglewood Trail #636. From this intersection, the Tanglewood Trail goes north up Tanglewood Creek and on to join the Roosevelt Lakes Trail #56. The Rosalie Trail turns south and goes downstream to the Deer Creek Trailhead.
General Information
This trail is in the Mount Evans Wilderness.
In 2006 and 2007, the trail was rerouted in the vicinity of the Abyss Lake Trail junction due to flooding of the trail by beaver activity. For this reason, the trail may not be as shown on maps.
U.S. Geological Survey topo map
Mount Evans, CO
Forest Service topo maps
Mount Evans, CO
There is a mandatory, self-issued permit system in the Mount Evans Wilderness. There are no fees associated with the permit, though users are required to complete one. As you enter the wilderness, fill out the provided permit and deposit the stub in the slot in the lower front of the register box. Keep the permit in your possession, and please follow the wilderness regulations found on the back.
Address: 30403 Kings Valley Drive, Suite 2-115 Conifer, CO 80433
Phone: 303-275-5610
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Trailhead/Starting Points
Guanella Pass Trailhead (north)
Deer Creek Trailhead (south)
Parking
Parking is available from the north at the Guanella Pass Trailhead or from the south at the Deer Creek Trailhead.
Directions
Guanella Pass Trailhead:
A generally crowded trailhead at the summit of Guanella Pass, it accesses the Bierstadt Trail, Rosalie Trail and South Park/Squaretop Lakes Trail.
1) Drive west from Denver on Interstate 70. Exit at Georgetown. Follow Clear Creek County Route 381 south for 11 miles to Guanella Pass.
2) Drive west from Denver on U.S. Highway 285 for approximately 40 miles to Grant. Turn right onto Park County Route 62. Drive north for 13.5 miles to Guanella Pass.
Deer Creek Trailhead:
This trailhead serves the Rosalie Trail and the Tanglewood Trail. A good-sized trailhead, it has adequate room for trailer parking.
Drive west from Denver on U.S. Highway 285 approximately 28 miles to the traffic light before the top of Crow Hill. Turn right (northwest) onto Park County Route 43 and drive in a northwesterly direction for 6.8 miles to a "Y" in the road. Bear left and drive 2.1 miles, staying right at the campground, to the parking area at the trailhead.
