The rough and dangerous road to the turquoise Bullion King Lake in Colorado

Bullion King Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.832m (12,572ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the US state of Colorado. This trail is well worth the drive; however, it is steep in places and has a limited number of places to pass other vehicles. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Bullion King Lake

Where is Bullion King Lake?

The turquoise lake is located to the north of Silverton, in the southwestern part of Colorado, within the San Juan National Forest.

Is the road to Bullion King Lake unpaved?

Be sure to have experience in back roads if you attempt this trail. The road to the lake is totally unpaved. It’s called Forest Road 822 (also known as Porphyry Gulch Road or Bullion King Lake Trail).

How challenging is the road to Bullion King Lake?

This is not for the faint of heart. Part way up there is a sign that says "Rough and dangerous road ahead, travel not recommended". This refers to a narrow spot against a ledge a few hundred feet ahead. It will make you a bit anxious the first time through, but it is really wide enough. 4wd vehicles only. The road is very narrow, steep, and has several tight switchbacks. The trail has steep drop-offs that are scary for a novice. The drive is mostly easy, except for one section of high, narrow shelf road that may intimidate novice drivers.

Is the road to Bullion King Lake open in winter?

Set high in the San Juan Mountains, the road is usually impassable from October to June.

How long is the road to Bullion King Lake?

The hairy road to the alpine lake is 4.66km (2.9 miles) long, starting from Million Dollar Highway. Over this distance the elevation gain is 490 meters. The average gradient is 10.51%.

Is the road to Bullion King Lake worth the drive?

At the end of the road, there’s a small parking lot. To see the lake, you must walk about 1/4 mile from the end of the road. The road offers great views of the surrounding area. There are a few abandoned mines along the drive.
Pic: Carlo D

 

 

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