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A short loop through aspen and pinon pine along Mosca Creek.


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Map Key

0.3

Miles

0.4

KM

91%

Runnable

8,354' 2,546 m

High

8,283' 2,525 m

Low

71' 22 m

Up

2' 1 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

11%

Max Grade (6°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

Runner Notes

A super short, easy trail with great views and good footing.

Description

This short trail branches off of Mosca Pass Trail and crosses Mosca Creek on a small wooden bridge. From here you'll climb the hillside in a series of three switchbacks through a stand of short pinon pine. Be sure to stop and look back at the sand dunes through the breaks in the trees as the views are impressive even with this small elevation gain on the hillside.

After the switchbacks, you'll parallel Mosca Pass Trail and Mosca Creek through stands of aspen and narrow-leaf cottonwood until the trail rejoins Mosca Pass Trail. Wellington Ditch Trail branches to left and the junction is well-marked. This short trail is a great loop on its own or can be combined with Mosca Pass Trail or Wellington Ditch Trail for a longer run.

Flora & Fauna

Pinon pine, aspens, narrow-leaf cottonwoods, and a variety of wildflowers in the late spring/early summer such as Indian paintbrush, pasque flowers, and candytuft. Be careful of the prickly pear cactus that grow in clusters along the trail!

Deer, elk, squirrels, rabbits, hawks, jays, and ravens.

Contacts

Shared By:

Kristen Arendt

Trail Ratings

  3.8 from 5 votes

#16084

Overall
  3.8 from 5 votes
5 Star
20%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
40%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1,401

in Colorado

#16,084

Overall
2 Views Last Month
604 Since Sep 29, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

40%
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Photos

Looking at the San De Cresto Mountains from the Wellington Ditch Trail.
Apr 8, 2019 near Crestone, CO
Wellington Ditch Trail wrapping around the foothills.
Feb 15, 2016 near Crestone, CO
The view out toward the dunes from Wellington Ditch Trail.
Feb 15, 2016 near Crestone, CO
Climbing up Wellington Ditch to get a view of the dunes above the trees.
Feb 15, 2016 near Crestone, CO
The bridge across Mosca Creek.
Feb 15, 2016 near Crestone, CO
Aspens in the winter on the Mosca Pass Trail.
Feb 15, 2016 near Crestone, CO

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