Hiking Project Logo

This trails offers several river crossings, a few steep sections, and views of waterfalls; some of the highest in CO


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

5.0

Miles

8.1

KM

Point to Point

9,427' 2,873 m

High

8,741' 2,664 m

Low

862' 263 m

Up

186' 57 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

36%

Max Grade (20°)

Dogs Off-leash

Description

Trail starts at south end of campground through a gate. Immediately you'll come to a river crossing; it is cold and will come to your knees in mid summer. The trail continues through some bushes then it opens up into a large valley. Through the valley the trail can seem to disappear but just keep heading north up the valley. After a mile or so the valley walls start to close in the the trail begins to climb up and over hills.

You'll likely see many wildlife foot prints, elk are numerous. At around 2 miles you'll come to another gate and another river crossing just after. The valley has now become a deep canyon. The river here is fast moving and likely not crossable at high flows, so check river flow before attempting (rio chama above chama gauge), 100 cfs was a good flow at that gauge.

The trail climbs steeply after this to a small stream crossing, after that there is a fork, the main trail goes right, up the hill. It climbs very steep out of the canyon with some lose rocks and mud. At the top you enter into aspen groves mixed with pine as the trail slowly climbs for the next few miles. It is easy to lose the trail at times so a GPS can help with that.

Near the end of the trail you'll come to a fence and then a cabin. If you continue beyond the cabin a bit you'll see some great views of waterfalls and surrounding cliffs, 500 foot waterfalls.

There is distributed camping throughout so just pick you favorite spot. You are likely to run across some horses or cows. In late June bugs weren't too bad, some mosquitoes. Lots of meandering side trails not shown on maps. Took dogs and they had a good time. Weather can come in quick so have rain gear ready.

Contacts

Shared By:

Hiking Project Staff with improvements by Mike Farruggia

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 2 votes

#8918

Overall
  4.5 from 2 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#724

in Colorado

#8,918

Overall
12 Views Last Month
926 Since Oct 24, 2018
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
33%
67%
0%
0%

Photos

View at end of trail
Jul 3, 2021 near Conejos, CO
Plenty of cattle on the trail.
Jun 28, 2021 near Conejos, CO
Rio Chama is just a creek up here.
Jun 28, 2021 near Conejos, CO
loading

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.