Tuerto Trail (011)

The Tuerto Trail (011) doesn't have uber-convenient parking near either of its ends. Most commonly attempted from south to north, most people leave a shuttle vehicle at the !Aspen Flat Trail (018) Parking Area - North and drive south to park their second car at the !Skyline Trail (015) Pull-Off Parking Area. The Tuerto Trail (011) intersects many other trails, making it a strong contender for a self-made loop. Starting from the south, look for a worn trail leading down from FS Road 095 to the gully below. Cross over the Trough Canyon Trail (163) to the other side and follow the dusty trail that climbs above the nearby slope's exposed rock. From here, the clearly defined singletrack contours a ridge while providing pleasant views of the surrounding area. At a mile-and-a-half, the opposite end of the Trough Canyon Trail (163) connects back to the Tuerto Trail (011) in a wooded section just below a saddle. At the saddle, turn to the right to soon connect with the Tuerto to Skyline Trail (457) before traveling along a ridgeline that ends with a steep descent along tightly spaced switchbacks into a gully. On the other side of the gully, the trail climbs up another prominent white-rock ridge. Just before you begin to descend the other side, the start of the Blue Creek-Tuerto Trail (014) appears to your right. From the bottom, the trail continues on a pleasant, rolling descent for nearly two miles. Along this section, the beginning of the Blue Creek / Allen Canyon Trail (013) appears just before the Tuerto Trail (011) descends into a final gully. The remainder of the trail is a long, straight grind to the shelf high above. If you are hiking this as an out-and-back and want a milder place to turn around, this is a fine place to do so. Otherwise, descend into the gully and start climbing. After a brief scramble onto the ridge, the trail heads seemingly straight up. The grade is steep and constant, and the terrain is quite rocky in spots. Needless to say, these factors will leave you with a strong feeling of accomplishment upon reaching the top of the mesa. Once you've reached the trail's end, either return the way you came or head north to the !Aspen Flat Trail (018) Parking Area - North to reach your shuttle vehicle.