Mailbox

Rating: 
One-way Distance: 0.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
MTB Skill level:
Elevation: 6178 - 6300 feet
Cellphone: 2-4 bars
Time: 45 mins.
Trailhead: Mailbox/Buzzard Gulch
Fee: none
Attractions: Optional connector

Mailbox is part of the Buzzard Gulch Trails in the Dry Creek Recreation Area near Montrose, Colorado. The trail provides a short, albeit steep, connecting route between the Dave Wood Road and the Buzzard Gulch trail. Part of the trail also serves as a section of the Vulture Rim Loop.

To get to the trailhead drive west on Main Street in downtown Montrose and follow the directions for Highway 90. Make a left at the sign for the Dave Wood Road. After making the turn measure 4 miles to the trailhead in this photo where there is a cluster of mailboxes for which the trail gets its name.

From the parking area follow the route behind the mailboxes that immediately begins climbing a small hill.

After getting about halfway up the hill the trail becomes rocky and gets steep enough that footing can be challenging at times whether you are hiking or pushing a bike.

It only takes around 1000 feet for the trail to gain over 100 feet of elevation. At that point the trail levels off and cuts across the mesa with river rocks cropping up that create a path of baby heads.

The trail smooths out as it crosses a sagebrush flat and begins weaving a route through some junipers.

Near the half mile point the Mailbox trail is met on the left by the Vulture Rim Loop which provides an alternate route down to Buzzard Gulch.

The route becomes a double track after the two trails unite and travel over the crest of the hill.

From the crest of the hill there is a nice view looking down at the lower end of Buzzard Gulch.

The last quarter mile of the trail makes a moderate descent that sweeps around the west side of the ridge and into the gulch.

The Mailbox trail comes to an end at the bottom of the hill when it meets up with the Buzzard Gulch trail. From here it is about a quarter mile to the right to get to the main Buzzard Gulch trailhead. All of the rest of the trails in the area are to the left. There are lots of different trail combinations to create various loops for whatever you activity happens to be. A map comes in handy to plan routes and find your way around until you become familiar with the area. As far as the Mailbox trail goes it is a good connecting route from a spot where there is plenty of parking for those that don't mind crossing the hill. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is grab your bike or 'Take a hike'.