Trail Overview
Jacobs Chair West is a 7.2-mile point-to-point trail rated 3 of 10 located in San Juan County. The trail runs entirely on the western side of Highway 95 and provides the connector trail between the Jacobs Chair and Short Canyon trailheads. The north end of the trail starts at the Short Canyon parking area with the south end intersection the Piute Pass Trail. Follow the Piute Pass Trail east to get back to the highway. At times, the trail will be ill-defined due to little use and vegetation overgrowth. The trail consists of packed dirt and rocks with multiple gully crossings. The northern half of the trail ascends or descends through a canyon depending upon the direction of travel. The southern portion of the trail runs along a rolling plateau with scenic views of the Wingate Mesa to the west and Jacobs Chair to the east. The trail is open to all motorized vehicles, however, there are narrow sections that will require careful wheel placement. This is an extremely remote area so plan your trip accordingly. There are no services for 70 miles in any direction.
Difficulty
The trail consists of loose rocks, dirt, and sand with some slick rock surfaces and mud holes possible. No steps are higher than 12 inches. 4WD may be required, and aggressive tires are a plus.
