Trail Information and Road Conditions | Castle Creek Valley

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EXPRESS CREEK ROAD TO TAYLOR PASS

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Trail: Express Creek Road to Taylor Pass

Region: Castle Creek Valley

Difficulty: difficult

Description: This is a popular high-altitude jeep route beginning at Express Creek Road. Due to the altitude snow is often present well into mid-July. From the top of Taylor Pass you can see Taylor Lake below and magnificent views of the Castle Creek Valley and surrounding peaks. Once at the Pass, you are offered several choices of extending your trip by making a loop back to Aspen via Richmond Hill Road, or travelling to Crested Butte along the Taylor River, making a full day trip. The first 1/8 mile is fairly flat. The road soon crosses a bridge and begins to climb steeply. There are several private drives along the first mile, stay on the main road. In approximately 2 miles, there is a spur to the right, again follow the main road. The road becomes a little steeper and in another 1 3/4 miles begins a long steep uphill. The road crosses a bridge and is very steep the last mile.

Directions: Go west on Highway 82 from Aspen 1/2 mile to the Roundabout. Go around the Roundabout and turn right onto Castle Creek Road. Drive about 11 miles. Just past Elk Mountain Lodge and before the ghost town of Ashcroft, Express Creek Road will be on your left.

Map: Hayden Peak

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