Round Trip Distance: 1.4 - 2.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 4601 - 4797 feet
Cellphone: 2-5 bars
Time: 30 - 60 mins.
Trailhead: Devil's Canyon
Fee: none
Attractions: Scenic canyon overlook
The D2 trail is located in the Devil's Canyon Area of the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area near Grand Junction, and Fruita, Colorado. The trail begins off of the D1 trail where it climbs at an easy pace to an overlook on the east side of the mouth of Devil's Canyon. The D2 trail by itself is 0.7 miles long one-way. Including the section of the D1 trail to get to and from the trailhead brings the round trip distance up to 2.5 miles.
From the Devil's Canyon trailhead begin by following the D1 trail. Refer to the D1 post if you need directions to the trailhead or use the Google Map to find your way.
Follow the D1 trail for about a half mile to where the D2, D3 and K1 trails branch off on the left.
The D2 trail parallels a wash as it departs from the D1 trail. After a short distance it crosses a bridge over the part of the wash that drains Devil's Canyon. At this point the D3 trail forks off on the right and heads into the lower end of the canyon. The D3 trail is the route that actually extends into the confines of Devil's Canyon where it loops up to an old line shack and back.
Not too far past the D3 branch the K1 trail begins on the left and the D2 trail continues along its same course.
The D2 trail continues toward the mouth of Devil's Canyon gradually gaining elevation as it goes.
Just before the overlook a Dead End sign appears at the boundary of the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness Area. Horseback riders will have to find a place to hitch their horse at this point and walk the last 100 feet or so to the overlook. This is also a good spot for parents with small children to take them by the hand because there are some steep dropoffs just around the corner.
Once in the area of the overlook hikers can find a rock from where they can sit and take in the scenic views that are one of their rewards for making the hike.
The views aren't too bad looking out over the rest of the Devil's Canyon trail area either.
The hike back to the trailhead is about as easy as it gets around these parts.
The D2 trail sees fewer hikers than most of the other trails in the area. There isn't a lot to it but it is worth checking out at least once. The Devil's Canyon trails are dog friendly but be sure to be responsible and clean up after them so they can remain that way. If about 2 and a half miles of exercise is what you are looking for in a nice enough setting then the D2 trail is waiting for you. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.
