Porcupine Patch

Rating: 
One-way Distance: 0.1 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 6894 - 6920 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 15 mins.
Trailhead: Mears Bay/Campground
Fee: $7/vehicle
Attractions: Short connector

The Porcupine Patch trail is located in the Dutch Charlie Area of Ridgway State Park about 6 miles north of the town of Ridgway, Colorado. The short trail connects the Dakota Terraces Campground with the Mears Bay trail. The trail provides easy access for campers to get to Mears Bay, the swim beach and the picnic area.

The trail begins in the campground off of Loop C.

Between the campground and Mears Bay the trail loses about 26 feet of elevation. Puddles of water can form in the low spots after a rain.

The Dakota Terraces Campground has several walk in campsites that are located in Loop C.

The shore at this end of Mears Bay are smooth and have a gradual slope to them. They serve campers well for anchoring a boat overnight. There aren't any trees or anything to tie a mooring line to so you will have to bring your own stake. We normally take our boat out overnight but we have moored it in the bay also. Sorry, but there aren't any slips available to rent at the marina.

The Porcupine Patch trail comes to an end at the Mears Bay trail. From here you can find a grassy place along the bank to fish or continue along the Mears Bay trail to the left and reach the picnic area and swim beach. The fish tend to be smaller at this end of the bay but they are usually pretty easy for kids to catch. We have had grand kids that caught their first ever fish here. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.