Basics
- Location:
- North of Durango
- Setting:
- Mountainous
- Length:
- 4 to 7 mile loop
- Difficulty:
- Intermediate
- Trailhead Elevation:
- 7500 feet
- Elevation Change:
- 900 feet
- Season:
- Spring, Summer, Fall
Basic Directions
(Junction Creek) Turn west on 25 th street in Durango, which becomes Junction Creek Road. Go about 3 miles to the Forest boundary (the road turns to gravel). Continue on the gravel road for 2 miles to the sign for “Log Chutes Parking.” Turn right and park at the trailhead. Begin hiking east on a road that’s open to vehicles. After 1 mile there’s a road on the left with a gate and bicycle sign. Turn left and ascend a road ½ mile until it levels out. Here you will find signed intersections for the smaller and larger loops.
Description
Inner Loop (4 miles in length): Take the first left onto another trail. Hike across the lower slopes of Barnes Mountain, gently up and down, for about 2 miles. Cross the gravel road and descend a short singletrack to the corrals, where the two loops merge, and angle left.
Outer Loop (7 miles): Take the second left and climb a ¼-mile singletrack until it turns into an old road. Follow this gentle logging road 1½ miles before turning right to ascend a ½-mile singletrack. Cross the graveled Junction Creek Road and follow the trail up for about 200 yards. Then descend the old Neglected Mine Road to the corrals.
Finish: 300 yards below the corrals, turn right onto the old mining road. Descend about ½ mile then go left onto singletrack for another ½ mile. Cross the gravel road and complete the loop back to the trailhead.
Details
Location:
Setting:
Length:
Inner loop is 4 miles
Outer loop is 7 miles
