McCullough Gulch Trailhead — Attraction in Blue River

Was up here a few years ago and had a great experience. Unfortunately, Breckenridge feels that they need to monitor and patrol parking in areas outside of their city. If you go up, you have to pre-pay for a reservation for parking or take a shuttle from Breckenridge. They have signs posted all over. You cannot park on the side of the road or in the parking lot without a reservation? We are in September and the parking lot was empty and there’s zero Wi-Fi to try to reserve a space so you have to drive back into town.? Upgrade your Wi-Fi! Fortunately, there is a trailhead and parking lot that you don’t have to pay that meets up with the same trail just coming back towards Breckenridge on Highway 9 on your left-hand side if you can’t miss it. It’s a great hike up to the Falls. From the trailhead. stay on the trail you’ll come to an intersection about a half mile to 3/4 of a mile turn left. If you turn right, there’s a sign up there, but it goes nowhere. You’ll pass a lot of tent sites on your left. You can actually park on this road and in the tent sites. You can access this from the McCullough Road to the trailhead from the pay parking lot. You’ll see a turn off on your right hand side that will lead you to the spot. This will save you about a mile and a half of hiking.

my review is for the parking lot fiasco. The waterfall itself...

McCullough Gulch Trail is absolutely stunning! The hike offers everything you could want—alpine scenery, waterfalls, wildflowers, and breathtaking views all along the way. It’s a challenging trail with some rocky and steep sections, but the payoff is 100% worth it, especially when you reach the lake at the top.

Parking can be tricky—it's limited and requires a reservation during peak season, so definitely plan ahead. Also, be prepared for the altitude if you're coming from lower elevations.

Pro tip: If you’re getting dropped off at the trailhead, make sure to start heading back before 4 PM. Otherwise, you may miss your pickup and have to hike all the way back down to the lower parking lot—which adds quite a bit of distance and elevation.

This trail is a must-do if you're in the Breckenridge area and looking for a rewarding outdoor adventure. Bring water, good shoes, and your camera—you’ll want to...

If you are an experienced hiker - or at least someone who has done a few higher altitude hikes, then do this one. It’s definitely not easy. The altitude makes it more challenging if you are someone like me who lives at sea level. I was huffing and puffing quite a bit, but I took lots of breaks and adapted quickly. I suggest a walking stick or poles for stability. The tail becomes very rocky and in some places you may think there’s no trail at all. It’s not marked well. I hiked to the falls and then to the first lake. It can be a full day adventure depending on your abilities. On the way back down I spotted a young couple off in a wooded area who were lost. I got them back on track and stayed with them until they were safely back at their car. If you are on the more adventurous side,...