Trail Overview

This scenic trail winds through dense aspen forest and begins with a large, shaded campsite capable of accommodating multiple campers or fifth wheels. The wide trail has ruts up to 4 inches deep during the first mile, along with rock gardens and 6–8-inch ledges farther in. Around 2.1 miles, the trail becomes much tighter with a higher chance of pinstriping. At 2.7 miles, there is a large, level campsite for up to three vehicles with excellent valley and mountain views, while another private campsite for two vehicles is located at the end.

Photos of West Mesa Creek Road

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Difficulty

This trail is rated Level 3 because of the rock gardens, 6–8-inch ledges, and increasingly narrow sections where pinstriping is possible. The trail is generally manageable, but wider vehicles should use extra caution in the tighter sections.

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.

Technical Rating