Skull Bucket Trail

Dogs Unknown

Features Views

Skull Bucket Trail proper is the east-west portion of trail that descends in the major gully. This portion of trail should be considered a one way trail, not recommended for uphill use. The entire route shown here is BLM route 8320D, and includes a portion of Jens Trail to the southeast. Jens Trail is a steep climbing trail that starts on Prince Creek Rd.; as it's on private property, it can not be recommended.

Find the trail by hiking downhill for about a hundred yards from the intersection of BLM Road 8320 with BLM Road 8320C. Once on the trail you'll be traversing & climbing a bit through scrub oak and sage terrain. The views open up nicely along this traverse towards Mount Sopris to the south and Thompson Divide to the west. As the trail contours around the hillside to the north, you'll start dropping down to the major gully.

The short entry drop into the gully is very steep. Once in the gully you might see the namesake bucket hanging from a tree, as well as the occasional skull or other interesting large mammal vertebrae. The gully is steep and straightforward compared to Ginormous Trail, but it does feature the occasional feature to jump and numerous naturally banked turns.

The trail finishes at Prince Creek Road. Cross the road, hike through the jug handle parking area / camping spot to find Skill Saw Trail (Lower Creek Side) and Creek Side Trail where you can continue either up or down with your hike.