East Portal and the Moffat Tunnel: Gilpin County's gateway to the high trails

If you want to walk into the high country on the west side of Gilpin County, the East Portal Trailhead is the usual starting point. It sits at the east end of the Moffat Tunnel, the railroad tunnel that carries trains under the Continental Divide.

Getting there is part of the trip. From Rollinsville, on Highway 119, you turn west onto a gravel county road and follow it several miles to a parking area near the tunnel portal. The road is unpaved, so drive for the conditions and watch for washboard, mud after storms, and other cars.

From the parking area, trails fan out toward South Boulder Creek, Forest Lakes, Crater Lakes, the Ute Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail, with much of the land inside the James Peak Wilderness. That means wilderness rules apply once you cross the boundary: no bikes or motors, leashed dogs, and no campfires.

This is a popular trailhead, so the lot can fill on summer weekends. Trains still use the tunnel, so stay clear of the tracks. Check the Forest Service East Portal page for current access and conditions before you head up.