Mount Ellen Summit Trailhead

About Mount Ellen Summit Trailhead

This trail leads from the parking lot at the top of Bull Creek Pass north to the summit of Mount Ellen (11,480 feet), which is located inside the Mount Ellen/Blue Hills WSA. Views from the top are outstanding in all directions and include the Thousand Lake Mountain, Boulder Mountain, The La Sal and Abajo Mountains, the Circle Cliffs and the Waterpocket Fold. The trip from the Bull Creek Pass parking lot to the summit and back is a 5 mile round trip. The entire trip is all above tree line in an alpine zone. The trail is faint in places, but is marked by cairns. There are no developed facilities at the trailhead, but Lonesome Beaver Campground, McMillan Spring Campground, and Dandelion Flat Picnic area are not too far away.

How to Get There

Can be accessed from either the east or the west along the Bull Creek Pass Backcountry Byway

Plan Your Visit to Mount Ellen Summit Trailhead

Heading to Mount Ellen Summit Trailhead? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)