Trail Run Project Logo

A rough and rugged trail along Missionary Ridge with spectacular views.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

7.0

Miles

11.3

KM

90%

Runnable

10,145' 3,092 m

High

9,288' 2,831 m

Low

1,452' 442 m

Up

699' 213 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

22%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Views

Description

From FS 071 and take the first dirt road to the left, after a short bit you'll see the trail on your right. The first part of the trail climbs steeply and can be quite loose. You'll pass the junction with Haflin Creek Trail but keep heading uphill. The trail will level off and join with a road at 0.9mi, keep straight on the road and drop down a short steep hill.

The road will make a hard right, but the trail continues straight and can be hard to see. There is often a cairn marking this point. The trail descends for a bit, passing the junction with First Fork at approximately 2.25mi. The trail then generally climbs, with a couple decent length descents, before leveling off for the last ~1.2 miles to the junction with Stevens Creek Trail. The trail contours nicely along the ridge, dropping back and forth to the east and west and offering great views of the San Juans and Florida River valley.

This trail is in the Missionary Ridge burn area and thus it frequently sees downed trees. Trails 2000 typically clears the deadfall in the spring. The best time to run is just after the trees have been cleared. This trail also doesn't see a great amount of use and is prone to being overgrown in spots. While there are no particularly large obstacles, but the consistently rough terrain makes this for a tough one. However, the views of the San Juans and Florida River valley are spectacular and well worth the trip.

Contacts

Shared By:

Missy Thompson with improvements by Joline Morrison

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 3 votes

#10

in Durango

#23929

Overall
  3.7 from 3 votes
5 Star
0%
4 Star
67%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#10

in Durango

#1,888

in Colorado

#23,929

Overall
3 Views Last Month
2,648 Since Jul 27, 2015
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
0%

Photos

Some snow on the high peaks towards the north.
Sep 17, 2023 near Durango, CO
No shortage of great views on this trail
Jul 30, 2015 near Durango, CO
Burned snags frame views of the La Plata Mountains to the west.
Sep 17, 2023 near Durango, CO
Traveling through the old burn
Jul 30, 2015 near Durango, CO
Fallen aspen leaves along Missionary Ridge Trail in mid-September.
Sep 17, 2023 near Durango, CO
Scattered open meadows along the ridge.
Sep 17, 2023 near Durango, CO

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 4, 2015
Kaylee M
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.