Trail Overview
This scenic trail winds through dense aspen forest and consists mostly of dirt with 6–8-inch ruts and whoops. The narrow route has sections that put you up to 10° off-camber, tight switchbacks requiring multi-point turns, and a steep descent into a rock garden with 6–8-inch ledges. At least 10 inches of clearance is recommended, and wet conditions can make the trail significantly more difficult.
At 0.6 miles, there is a large, level campsite for up to 14 vehicles with excellent aspen views. The trail ends at a private, cliffside campsite for one vehicle with an incredible view.
Pinstriping is likely, and the trail is not van-, trailer, or camper-friendly.
Difficulty
This trail is rated Level 3 because of the deep ruts, off-camber sections, rock gardens, tight switchbacks, and high likelihood of pinstriping.
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.