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BPX 4-day: Bull Creek Reservoirs from West Crag Crest TH

Hike up to Crag Crest Trail on Grand Mesa then down to the Bull Creek Reservoirs for a couple of days with optional hiking and fishing. This is a chill trip with dramatic views all around. Totals for this 4-day out and back trip are 9 miles and 1,670 ft elevation gain.

Suggested Backpacking Section (BPX) itinerary for 4-day trip to be used for CMC trips led by BPX leaders for BPX members.

Beginning from the West Crag Crest TH, this 9.5mile hike takes you up to Crag Crest Ridge but instead of traversing this narrow ridge, we will connect with the Lake of the Woods Trail. This trail for travels at a level grade with occasional slight up and downhill grades through mixed spruce/fir and open meadows and marshy areas.  The trail provides access to several quality fishing reservoirs like the Bull Creek Reservoirs and travels just below the northern rim of the Grand Mesa offering many scenic vistas. 

Day 1: Drive to Crag Crest West Trailhead (approx. 4 hrs from Golden). Pit toilets. Hike in on Crag Crest National Recreational Trail #711, keeping left, and ascend the ridge. At the trail junction, turn left on Cottonwood Trail #712. Descend about 1.5miles to the junction with Lake of the Woods Trail #508. Turn left and continue to Bull Creek Reservoir #2 and find camping for 2 nights.  Daily total 4.5 miles/ 690ft ascent/ 980 ft descent.

Route Day 1

Day 2: Options to stay around camp and fish, or day hike to the other Bull Creek Reservoirs #1, #4, and #3. If you go all the way to reservoir #3, the round trip will be 5 miles and 500ft elevation.

Route Day 2

Day 3: Another day to chill, fish, or do more day hikes

Day 4: Break camp and retrace your steps up to Crag Crest and then down to the TH. Daily total 4.6miles/ 980’ ascent/ 675’ descent.

Route Day 4

Option to visit the Grand Mesa Visitor Center before driving home. Several campground options near the Visitors Center if you want to stay longer.

Driving Directions: 

From Palisade take 1-70 East to exit 49 for CO hwy 65 (Grand Mesa Scenic Hwy). Continue for 33 miles to the West Crag Crest TH parking on the left side of the Hwy.

General Requirements: Bear Box required at campground. 

Itinerary could easily be shortened to a 3 day trip.

  • Suitable Activities: Backpacking
  • Seasons: June, July, August, September, October
  • Weather: View weather forecast
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Length: 9.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,670 ft
  • 10,900 ft
Map
  • Trails Illustrated 208
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  • BPX 3-day: Bull Creek Reservoirs from West Crag Crest TH
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