Mesa Verde

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

This trail is used primarily as a connector trail. At the south end it connects to the River Trail, at the north end it connects to the Summit Trail, in the middle it connects to the Misery Ridge Trail. There are several climber trails that shoot off of this trail, including the base of Monkey Face and the trail that leads to Asterisk Pass.

It is at the beginning of this trail, on the south side, that you can get the best views of Monkey Face Pinnacle. It's a steady climb up to the Misery Ridge Trail intersections, then a steady descent to the Summit Trail intersection. Just past the Misery Ridge Trail intersection you'll have a short stretch of fist-sized, loose, rocks to hike over. At the far north end, there are a couple of short switchbacks.

Marmots. Falcons.