This beautiful hike is accessible via two trailheads - a western trailhead (Upper Whipple) featuring a 1,000-foot gain in elevation, and an eastern trailhead (Lower Whipple) near Deep Creek road with an elevation gain of 2,900 feet. If you like downhill hikes you should consider heading west to east. If downhill hiking is bad on your knees, you should head east to west.

Directions:

From Telluride, travel approx. 3.5 miles west on State Hwy 145, turn right (north) onto the Last Dollar Road, Forest Road #638. Proceed for approx. 5.5 miles north on #638, past the airport and through the Greyhead subdivision, to the Whipple Trailhead. Look for the trailhead sign on the east side of Forest Road #638. Road #638 is extremely slippery when wet. High clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended.