Sometimes the best finds are the ones you stumble onto on the way to something else. After our tour at Country Boy Gold Mine, we heard locals mention that the road running right out front — French Gulch Road. We heard it was worth a slow drive for leaf-peeping. Well, they weren’t kidding. We took the French Gulch Road scenic drive for ourselves and the scenery did not disappoint!
🍂 A Splash of Reds and Oranges
Where Boreas Pass dazzled us with endless golden aspens, French Gulch surprised us with pockets of fiery reds and oranges mixed into the gold.
It’s a shorter, lower-altitude drive than Boreas Pass, but just as photo-worthy — especially if you’re after variety in your fall-color shots.
🚗 The Road Itself
It’s still a dirt road, but we found it smoother and less bumpy than Boreas Pass. You won’t need four-wheel drive if the weather’s good, and the whole drive takes less time and effort. We also ran into a lot less traffic on French Gulch Road. We just rolled down the windows, let the crisp autumn air in, and soaked up the color.
🥾 Trails We’ll Explore Next Time
As we drove French Gulch Road, we spotted a few trailheads that looked inviting. We were tempted to try one, but realized we would have to return with more time and less already packed into our agenda. One is the Little French Gulch Trail, a 5.6-mile out-and-back route that climbs gently through forested terrain. Another is the French Gulch & Wirepatch Loop, about 2.3 miles that uses parts of French Gulch Road and then veers onto singletrack (Wirepatch) for a little variety. For more info, check out AllTrails.com
We didn’t hike them this trip, but climbing one of those would be high on our “next time” list. We could just imagine seeing the reds and golds up close, taking your time, and maybe finding a quiet spot to pause and breathe.
🌟 Quick Tips for Your French Gulch Road Scenic Drive
Bring your camera: the mix of colors is gorgeous for photos.
Drive slow: it’s still narrow in places, but much easier than Boreas Pass.
No facilities: there aren’t any restrooms or pull-off shops, so plan ahead.
Best light: late-afternoon sun really lit up the reds and oranges for us.
💛 A Lovely Bonus Drive
French Gulch Road scenic drive felt like a gentler, cozier version of Boreas Pass. It was perfect if you want the leaf-peeping without the altitude climb or bone-rattling bumps. If you’re already at the Country Boy Gold Mine, it’s practically next-door, and worth the extra few miles before heading back to town.