Round Trip Distance: 0.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
MTB Skill level:
Elevation: 8121 - 8152 feet
Cellphone: 3-5 bars
Time: 20 mins.
Trailhead: P77 Road
Fee: none
Attractions: Forest of oakbrush
The Grouse trail is located in the Cerro Summit Recreation Area near Montrose, Colorado. The trail begins off of the Porcupine trail near the upper trailhead on P77 Road. From there it follows a loop through thick growths of oakbrush mingled, with open patches of grass and wildflowers, until it rejoins the Porcupine trail about 50 feet from where it began.
To get there follow Highway 50 east toward Gunnison from Montrose for about 10 miles to the top of Cerro Summit Pass where the recreation area will be on the right hand side of the road.
The Grouse trail branches off on the right a few feet from the upper trailhead.
As the trail parallels the road it quickly finds its first thicket of oakbrush.
Secluded from view the trail works its way around the loop, occasionally popping out into the open as it comes to places where the oakbrush hasn't yet completely gobbled up the grassy meadows.
On this day we were seeing fresh tracks that looked like they were from tiny little deer. Whether they were from deer, sheep or something else it seemed odd to see such small tracks this far into the summer.
In one small meadow on the return side of the loop the Montrose Reservoir can be spotted on the other side of the highway.
The trail has a couple of switchbacks where it meanders around as though searching for a longer route home from school.
