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GGNCA Hiking & Horseback Trails

Kayaker at Chukar Trailhead
BLM photo by Rich Durnan


 

Trail

Trail Distance

Elevation

Description

Access Road Distance

 CHUKAR

 1.1 miles
 (1.8 kilometers)

560 foot drop
(170 meter drop) 
5,960 - 5,400 feet
(1,817 - 1,646 meters) 

Moderate difficulty.  Adobe clay with sand & rock outcrops.  Boating put-in.  Very heavy foot and horse use.  Limited hiker camps. 

 7 miles
(11.3 kilometers)

 BOBCAT

 1.5 miles
 (2.4 kilometers)

800 foot drop
(244 meter drop)
6,100 ft. - 5,300 ft.
(1,860 - 1,616 meters) 

Difficult.  Undeveloped, hard to follow.  Steep descent down a rock face in the last 1/2 mile ( not recommended for horses ).  Good river access with two hiker camps.  Lower section  

1.5 miles
(2.4 kilometers) 

 DUNCAN

 1.5 miles
 (2.4 kilometers)

840 foot drop
(258 meter drop)
6,160 - 5,300 feet
(1,878 - 1,616 meters) 

Difficult.  Well established with heavy use.  Last 1/2 mile very steep with loose scree ( not recommended for horses ).  Stay on the north side.  Cross below old mine and climb up the final ridge before descending the last 200 yards to the river.  Good river access with four hiker camps.

2.5 miles
(4 kilometers) 

 UTE

 4.5 miles
 (7.2 kilometers)

1,200 foot drop
(366 meter drop)
6,500 - 5,300 feet
(1,982 - 1,616 meters)

Moderate difficulty but long.  Well developed.  Gradual slope with one section of steep switchbacks.  Great views & good river access.  Four hiker camps. 

2.5 miles
(4 kilomiters) 

 NORTH FORK
 to
 SMITH FORK

 4 miles
(6.4 kilometers)

200 foot climb
(61 meter drop)
5,100 - 5,300 feet
(1,555 - 1,616 meters)

Fairly easy river-side trail with some uphill stretches.  Good fishing access.  Four hiker/boater camps.  Access to this trail is from the Gunnison Forks and requires crossing the North Fork River by wading (at low flows only!) or by boat shuttle.