Beaver Creek Wilderness Study Loop

This loop takes you up one steep, rocky gulch, crosses over a high ridge and drops into gorgeous Beaver Creek. The generally dry hills are an ideal fall, spring, or warm winter jaunt.
Start east through an obvious trailhead on a doubletrack road. In 0.1 mile, turn left onto a singletrack and enter the canyon. Here the mountains rise quickly, upending red layers of sedimentary stone with jagged ridges of metamorphic rock. Keep an eye out along the trail for large chunks of a paper-thin mineral called mica.
At 0.8 mile from the start, turn right at a sign for Trail Gulch and walk up a narrow path through willows and cottonwoods.
These dry hills teem with life. Along with deer and black bears, the area has one of the highest concentrations of mountain lions in the state. Don’t expect to see them, but in warmer months, keep your eyes out for such desert residents as roadrunners and tarantulas.
Gradually wind up Trail Gulch about 1.25 miles to a signed junction with the Powerline Trail. Turn left.
The path through Trail Gulch climbs endlessly north through primeval forest, eventually emerging (after crossing lots of private property) at Rosemont Reservoir on Gold Camp Road.
The Powerline Trail tacks up through dry juniper hills on seemingly endless switchbacks, climbing about 1,000 feet to a saddle with long views. On a nice day, take a detour north on the ridge to a rocky outcrop.
Along the trail, keep an eye out for a few old utility poles. These may be a remnant from a hydroelectric power plant built in 1901. It was put out of commission by a flood in 1965.
Just before the trail reaches the bottom of Beaver Creek, look for a turn going up to the left. This is the trail back along the creek. It contours high above the water, occasionally dipping down to get around steep canyon walls. The trail never crosses the creek.