Mount Guyot via Little French Gulch in White River National Forest, CO

Hike Mount Guyot via Little French Gulch White River National Forest, CO

Class 2 7.7 miles 3000 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Jul 31, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Mount Guyot via Little French Gulch GPX Track

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Mount Guyot is easily accessed along the graded dirt French Gulch Road just outside of Breckenridge CO by starting at the Sallie Barber Mine Trailhead. A shorter route exists from the east by parking at Georgia Pass, but that requires a lot more driving for a short hike. I parked at a the trailhead pullout and started along the road, passing a gate marked closed to motorized traffic. Unfortunately, the first mile or so of the hike is along this road, but at least Mout Guyot poked out in the distance to add a little view. I located the Little French Gulch Trail on the left, which is really just an old mining road converted into a trail, but it does lead through some pretty forest scenery complete with the sounds of the flowing Little French Gulch.

A short hike up Little French Gulch led to an easy-to-miss junction with a grassier side-road/trail on the right. Continuing straight doesn't lead anywhere, so keep your eyes peeled. This old road switchbacks once and then ascends gradually through the forest and out above tree line to the base of Mount Guyot, where its mass stood just ahead of me. Once I emerged into the sunlight, I left this mining road and ascended a steep, grassy slope to the right, making my way up to the ridgeline above. Following this ridgeline would serve as the route for the rest of the hike, and sure enough, when I got there I located a well-defined social trail. Curious as to where this trail manifested from, on my descent later I decided to follow it back. On my attached map you'll notice a purple line that follows the ridge crest farther north. That was my descent, but I don't really recommend it. While the ridgeline is nicer than the steep slope, the forest bushwhacking over deadfall to return to the Little French Gulch Trail was more tedious. I left this line on my map because I'm sure I'm not the only one who reached the ridgeline and was curious like I was about its origin.

I continued ascending south along the ridge crest, enjoying the social trail that wiggled up the pleasant slope. Soon I reached the first of two major steep talus slopes along the ridge. The first was a short spurt of talus, but the social trail continued through it and I didn't need to scramble at all. Past the first slope is an extended relatively flatter section of hiking leading to the base of the longer talus ascent above. There were numerous social trails carved into the talus, though none were easy to follow. Keeping at Class 2, the talus slope led me up to the west side of Mount Guyot, where I got incredible panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, Bald Mountain and Boreas Mountain the closest 13ers of note. A quick jaunt led me along the summit ridge to the high point. From here I could make out the route that comes up from Georgia Pass.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Mount Guyot
13372 ft
1318 rise

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Road blocked to motorized traffic.
Road blocked to motorized traffic.
Along the road, Mount Guyot seen top right.
Along the road, Mount Guyot seen top right.
I took a left at the Little French Gulch Trailhead.
I took a left at the Little French Gulch Trailhead.
Ascending along the Little French Gulch Trail.
Ascending along the Little French Gulch Trail.
It's a pretty forest road converted to a trail.
It's a pretty forest road converted to a trail.
Ascending up Little French Gulch.
Ascending up Little French Gulch.
Looking back at a junction that leaves the main trail and heads up a single switchback.
Looking back at a junction that leaves the main trail and heads up a single switchback.
Ascending to the base of Mount Guyot.
Ascending to the base of Mount Guyot.
I emerged into tundra, Mount Guyot seen ahead. I took a right up the steep slope.
I emerged into tundra, Mount Guyot seen ahead. I took a right up the steep slope.
Ascending the grassy slope.
Ascending the grassy slope.
Some light forest up the slope before reaching the ridgeline.
Some light forest up the slope before reaching the ridgeline.
I reached the ridge crest. A social trail along the ridge. I later followed this social trail out of curiosity along the crest, but I definitely recommend the ascent route I took since it avoids lots of forest deadfall.
I reached the ridge crest. A social trail along the ridge. I later followed this social trail out of curiosity along the crest, but I definitely recommend the ascent route I took since it avoids lots of forest deadfall.
A view back.
A view back.
The social trail continues along the ridge.
The social trail continues along the ridge.
First major talus slope. The trail continues up this.
First major talus slope. The trail continues up this.
View back down at my progress up the ridge.
View back down at my progress up the ridge.
Mount Guyot ahead, separated from me by a flatter section between steep talus slopes.
Mount Guyot ahead, separated from me by a flatter section between steep talus slopes.
Ascending the extended second talus slope.
Ascending the extended second talus slope.
View back as I head up the second slope. The social trail is a little less obvious at times. Little French Gulch seen right of center. The trailhead I started at is in the center of this photo.
View back as I head up the second slope. The social trail is a little less obvious at times. Little French Gulch seen right of center. The trailhead I started at is in the center of this photo.
Class 2 up the slope.
Class 2 up the slope.
I reached the top of the slope, but a short ridge scramble to the summit was still ahead.
I reached the top of the slope, but a short ridge scramble to the summit was still ahead.
View south after reaching the summit ridge.
View south after reaching the summit ridge.
Mount Guyot summit, view toward Georgia Pass to the east.
Mount Guyot summit, view toward Georgia Pass to the east.
Mount Guyot summit, view south. Bald and Boreas seen over there.
Mount Guyot summit, view south. Bald and Boreas seen over there.
Mount Guyot summit, view north.
Mount Guyot summit, view north.
On my way back, I followed the social trail along the ridge. Once I left the ridge to return to the trail, I had to bushwhack over lots of downed trees.
On my way back, I followed the social trail along the ridge. Once I left the ridge to return to the trail, I had to bushwhack over lots of downed trees.
Downed trees on the way back to the trail. I recommend just ascending/descending using the grassy slope instead.
Downed trees on the way back to the trail. I recommend just ascending/descending using the grassy slope instead.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!