Bureau of Land Management

Montrose District

San Juan Resource Area

ACCESS: Travel south from Cortez about 2 mi. on U.S. Hwy. 160/666. Turn west onto McElmo Canyon Road across from the M & M Cafe. Follow for 12.5 mi. to the trialhead parking area where the pavement turns to gravel.

DIRECTIONS: The self-guided, semi-primitive trail winds over slickrock through pinion and juniper stands. Motorized vehicles are not allowed. Please stay on the main route, which is marked with rock cairns, to avoid damaging fragile microbiotic crust (cryptogamic soil). Several Anasazi cliff dwellings are visible from the trails. Carry adequate water. Spring and call are the best seasons to visit, because summer is hot and gnat-infested.