14ers.com • Trailhead Info and Status (Crane Park Trailhead)

Crane Park Trailhead

Location

Sawatch Range
39.3472° N, -106.3332° W

Road Difficulty

1 (0=Paved, 6=Very Difficult 4WD)

Driving Directions

From Minturn, the TH is 22 miles south on Highway 24. When you crest Tennessee Pass and the turn for Ski Cooper, your turn will be 1.6 miles later on the right/west side of the road onto Lake County Rd 19. From the intersection of Highway 91 and US 24 just north of Leadville, follow US 24 west/north to the left hand turn onto Lake County Rd 19. The main, signed trailhead is located on the left/south side of the road just a few feet from US 24. Ample parking here. If you continue 0.9 miles further on the plowed, easy 2WD Lake County 19 road, there maybe be a plowed parking area with room for about 4 cars on the right hand side of the road where Lake Co. 19 intersects the signed Wurtz Ditch Rd. There are no signs indicating you cannot park here, but do so at your own caution.

Winter Access

Unknown

Status Updates
2020-02-29 Posted By: eskermo Info: Clear to main, lower trailhead. Plenty of parking. Do not see this parking being an issue for any vehicle, any time of year. The "upper" unsigned trailhead 0.9 miles up the road was accessible by any vehicle. There is a sign indicating the intersection of Wurtz Ditch Rd. but no other signage prohibiting parking. There was also no signage welcoming backcountry users. Park here at your discretion. We used this parking area for a day trip and were the only ones there when we arrived. There were many cars there when we got back. I wouldn’t recommend leaving a car here overnight if you’re staying at the hut.