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Gill Spur

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
MTB Skill level:
Elevation: 7967 - 8288 feet
Cellphone: 0 bars
Time: 1 hr.
Trailhead: Gill ATV
Fee: none
Attractions: Forest hike




The Gill Spur trail is located in the northern area of the Plateau Division of the Uncompahgre National Forest near Grand Junction, Colorado. The trail begins along North Gill Creek off of the Gill ATV trail. From there it climbs about halfway up the mountain where it travels above the Gill Creek trail as it heads toward Unaweep Canyon. This post follows the trail to the turn around point for dirt bikes and ATV's. Hikers can continue along a very primitive trail past that point probably for at least another mile or so.


The trail begins near the 1.8 mile point of the east end of the Gill ATV trail right before that trail crosses North Gill Creek. If coming from the other direction it is about 1 mile from the west end of the Gill ATV trail.


As the trail starts out it stays just above the creek.


Just past the quarter mile point there is a side trail that is closed to motorized travel that leads over to the Gill Creek trail.


After passing that junction the trail turns uphill and begins doing a little climbing.


The trail gains about 140 feet of elevation before it begins leveling off somewhat.


An overlook comes up that has a nice view back up the North Gill Creek drainage.


As the trail continues it gets a little brushy in places as the gamble oaks encroach upon the route.


Near the 1.5 mile point the trail comes to a turnaround. From here hikers can continue on a primitive trail to the right.


We followed the trail just far enough to get a picture of Unaweep Canyon. That portion of the trail was very rocky and slow going.


Our map showed the Gill Spur trail continuing for another 1.4 miles all the way out to an overlook at the mouth of the canyon. If it is all as rocky as it starts out it could take another hour or two to find out. We did the Gill Spur trail simply because we had a little extra time and it just happened to be there. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.