WEARYMAN ROAD #747

Length: 5.5 miles (one way)   Trail Use: Moderate
Difficulty: More Difficult    Open To: 4WD, OHV, Biking, Hiking
Beginning Elevation: 9,044 ft.   Ending Elevation: 11,769 ft.
Elevation Gain: +2725 ft.    USGS Map(s): Red Cliff, Pando

Access from Vail: From I-70, take Exit 171 for Minturn and Hwy. 24. Turn right and continue south on Hwy. 24 for 10 miles to the Red Cliff access road on the left, immediately before crossing the historic green expansion bridge over the Eagle River. This road will lead into Red Cliff and to Shrine Pass Road #709. Turn left onto Shrine Pass Road and follow 2.5 miles to Wearyman Road #747 on your right.

Trail Highlights: Also know as Ptarmigan pass.  This road starts on a bridge at the confluence of Turkey and Wearyman Creeks and is roughest for the first mile where there are several creek fords and rocky sections. The route also features some steep climbs, tight forest areas, and open alpine meadows. There are scenic views of the Gore Range at mile 2 and 3 and panoramic views when you reach the top of Ptarmigan Pass. You may also notice remnants of old buildings and saw mills in this area—they are old saw mills that operated near the turn of the century, and supplied many of the ranches and farms in this area with building supplies.
From here you can return the way you started, follow Resolution Road #702 down to Camp Hale and Hwy. 24, or complete a challenging loop following McAllister Gulch over Hornsilver Mountain and back down to the beginning of Wearyman Road.