NO NAME ROAD /
WURTZ DITCH ROAD - FSR 705
Length:
20.2 miles (one way)
Trail Use: Light
Difficulty:
Easy with a difficult section
Open To: 4WD, Biking, Hiking
Beginning Elevation:
9,207 ft.
Ending Elevation: 10,151 ft.
Elevation Gain:
+944 ft.
USGS Map(s): Pando, Mt Holy Cross
Access from Vail
:
From I-70, take Exit 171 for Minturn and Hwy. 24. Turn right and continue south on Hwy. 24 approximately 14 miles to
No Name Road on the right. There is no road sign, but there is a stop sign for traffic coming off No Name to Hwy. 24. It is the last road on the right about 1 mile before reaching
Camp
Hale. Reset your odometer at this junction of Hwy 24 and
No Name Road.
Trail Highlights
:
Reset odometer after turning off of Hwy 24. This road is easy for the first 5.9 miles before abruptly turning much more difficult. At mile 2.9 a view of Sheep Mtn and Chicago Ridge opens up to the east. At 3.8 miles you are given views to the west of the
Sawatch Range. At mile 5.9 the road turns left and climbs up a steep, rocky section for about a mile. At 6.9 miles the road splits. FSR 7051M goes right, but stay left on FSR 705. The road becomes an easy double-track with great views for about 0.5 miles. There are creek crossings at
7.6 and 7.8 miles followed by a muddy and rutty section passing through a meadow filled with willows. At 7.9 miles there is another split. Straight ahead is FSR 7051P which goes to Yoder Gulch and ends. Turn right to stay on FSR 705. After a very steep descent down to a flat bench you begin another very easy section which follows Wurtz Ditch for the majority of the remaining trip. At mile 18.6 you will see a cabin and cross a bridge as you reach another intersection.
Slide Lake Road is to the right. Turn left to return to Hwy 24. Pass the Colorado Trail at mile 18.9 and reach a “T” intersection at mile 19.2. To the right is FSR 131 to
Lily
Lake. Go left and reach Hwy. 24 at 20.2 miles. Turn left and pass
Camp
Hale as you return to where you began.
