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Directions: The trailhead and large parking area is located roughly two miles north of Hwy 285 on Guanella Pass Road. Take 285 to the town of Grant and head north on Guanella Pass Road or take I-70 to Georgetown and head south on Guanella Pass Road, over the pass, and down to the trailhead.
The Threemile Creek Trail is a popular trail in the fall. Many people drive along Guanella Pass road to see the beautiful golden aspens. However, although the parking area will be busy and there will be plenty of people hiking the trail, it is still a good alternative to the hordes of hikers and leaf peepers on nearby Kenosha Pass on a peak fall weekend.
The U.S. Forest Service recently created a larger parking area 1/2 mile south of the actual trailhead so the hike now starts by crossing a bridge and following the creek north for 1/2 mile before crossing the road and arriving at the trailhead. As the Threemile Creek starts you'll skirt the hillside before turning to the east and entering the dense pine forest. The trail is very pleasant as it crosses Threemile Creek multiple times and weaves around a narrow gorge with towering rock formations. At about one mile from the road crossing, you'll enter a meadow lined with aspen trees and showcasing Kataka Mountain in the distance. When you cross the meadow you'll enter a wonderful aspen grove that occupies the creek bed and the bottom of the canyon. The aspen grove is impressive in the fall. At roughly the 2 mile mark, surrounded by towering aspens there is a small clearing with some logs and stones that could be a good campground or rest area. This is a good turnaround spot for a 4 mile out and back hike. If you want a longer hike, the Threemile Trail continues for another 5 miles or so and climbs up above treeline to meet with the Rosalie Trail. Threemile Creek is a wonderful fall hike and a great way to access the southern sections of the Mount Evans Wilderness. |
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