Round Trip Distance: 0.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 10,190 - 10,243 feet
Cellphone: 0-2 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: Ward Lake Campground
Fee: none
Attractions: Forest hike, fishing
The Cobbett to Ward trail is located in the Grand Mesa National Forest near Cedaredge, Colorado. This short trail connects the Ward Lake campground and lake with the Cobbett Lake campground and lake. This trail can hold onto patches of snow until late June and early July. Mosquitoes may be present early in the summer but they seem to die off as the ground dries up. They are generally less of a problem on the south side of the Grand Mesa which is where this trail happens to be.
The trailhead is across the road from the Ward Lake Campground which is a half mile east of the Grand Mesa Visitor Center. Both the Ward Lake and Cobbett Lake campgrounds have vault toilet type restrooms. The Visitor Center has flush toilets that are open 24 hours a day year round.
From the Ward Lake side the trail begins by climbing the side of the hill above Baron Lake Road. It is only a short climb of just over 50 feet of elevation gain.
The blue diamonds on the trees mark the route for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Hiking through the conifer forest is about as pleasant as can be.
At the other end the trail connects to the Cobbett Lake trail. The Visitor Center is a quarter mile or so to the left and the campground is to the right. The fish are jumping straight ahead.
Both of the campgrounds are equipped with tables and fire grates. There are several lodges in the area, the Grand Mesa Lodge at Island Lake, Spruce Lodge and Alexander Lodge, where you can pick up any supplies that you might need. If a cabin is more your idea of roughing it the lodges can help you out with that also. We have rented cabins at Island Lake on many occasions, including in the winter months, and have always had a great time.
