San Juan National Forest

Columbine Ranger District

ACCESS: Turn west off Main Ave. in Durango onto 25th St. Go 3 mi. (keeping to the left at the "Y" to stay on CR 204) until you get to the National Forest boundary where the pavement ends. Continue on Junction Creek Rd. (FS Rd. #543) to Mile-post 7.Turn right into a paved parking lot.

DIRECTIONS: The trailhead starts on the east end of the parking lot where directions are posted. The self-guided interpretive loop trail is marked with signs along the way pointing out geology, history, flora and fauna.

The trail takes you through Ponderosa pine and Gamble oak forests, offering overlooks with great views of the Animas Valley and Needles Mountains. The gravel trail has easy grades for wheelchair use. Also provided are handicapped accessible toilets and picnic facilities with barrier-free benches, tables and fire grills.