Trail Overview
This scenic trail climbs into the hills through dense aspen forest and consists mostly of dirt and gravel. The wide road allows vehicles to pass and makes it possible to avoid the 4–5 inch ruts and washouts early on. Farther in, the trail becomes more challenging with 4–6 inch rock gardens, low-hanging logs, and an 8–10° off-camber section with 8-inch ruts. At 1.4 miles, the trail becomes cliffside with excellent mountain views, while the route also provides access to additional trails deeper into the forest. A private, level campsite for up to three vehicles is located at the end with great views of the surrounding aspens.
Difficulty
This trail is rated Level 3 because of the rock gardens, low-hanging obstacles, off-camber terrain, and deeper ruts. A minimum of 14 inches of front-end clearance is recommended.
History
The Uncompahgre National Forest was established in 1905 and has a long history tied to mining, logging, ranching, and early settlement in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. The region was especially shaped by the late-1800s mining boom, with historic towns, mines, and roads still found throughout the forest today.