Trout Lake Railroad Grade

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 8.4 km/5.2 mi.
Difficulty: Moderate
XC Skill level:
Elevation: 9,895 - 10,226 feet
Cellphone: 0 bars
Time: 2 hrs. 45 mins.
Trailhead: Galloping Goose
Fee: $15 donation
Attractions: Scenic mountain peaks

The Trout Lake Railroad Grade trail is located along Lizard Head Pass near Telluride, Colorado. The multi-use trail is groomed by the Telluride Nordic Association with a skate lane and a set of classic tracks. It follows the Lizard Head Railroad Grade section of the Galloping Goose trail from the summit of Lizard Head Pass down to the railroad trestle that crosses Groundhog Gulch above Trout Lake.

Aqueduct

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
MTB Skill level:
Elevation: 9,117 - 9,581 feet
Cellphone: 0-1 bars
Time: 3 hrs.
Trailhead: Aqueduct
Fee: none
Attractions: Multi-use forest trail

The Aqueduct trail is located in the Grand Mesa National Forest near Grand Junction and Cedaredge, Colorado. The trail begins off of the Surface Creek Road, aka Forest Road #125, and ends at Forest Road #127, aka the Leon Lake Road.

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.

Gill Creek

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 3+ miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation: 7889 - 8106 feet
Cellphone: 0 bars
Time: 2 hrs.
Trailhead: Gill ATV Trail
Fee: none
Attractions: Forest hike, deer, elk

The Gill Creek trail is located in the northern area of the Plateau Division of the Uncompahgre National Forest near Grand Junction, Colorado. The trail begins off of the Gill ATV trail where it follows Gill Creek downstream through a canyon. At one time the trail could be followed all the way off the plateau to Highway 141 in Unaweep Canyon. Sections of private property have made getting all the way out to Highway 141 impossible without trespassing although the Forest Service website still describes the trail as going to that point even after acknowledging the private property.

Hungry Gulch Road #413

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 6.4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
MTB Skill level:
Elevation: 8062 - 8248 feet
Cellphone: 0 bars
Time: 1 hr. 30 mins.
Trailhead: Divide & Big Creek Road
Fee: none
Attractions: Multi-use forest trail

The Hungry Gulch Road, FSR #413, is located in the Plateau Division of the Uncompahgre National Forest near Grand Junction, Colorado. The trail begins at the intersection of the Divide Road and the Big Creek Road. From there it travels along Hungry Gulch for 3.2 miles where it meets up with the Hungry Gulch Trail. Besides providing access to the Hungry Gulch trail the road also provides access to the Gill Creek, Gill Creek ATV and Gill Spur trails.