Crag Crest Trail Loop in Grand Mesa National Forest, CO

Hike Crag Crest Trail Loop Grand Mesa National Forest, CO

Class 1 10.6 miles 1700 gain 3-5 hrs Loop Aug 9, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Crag Crest Trail Loop GPX Track

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The Crag Crest Loop is a popular hike on Grand Mesa. It's pretty, but in a different way than other Colorado hikes I've been doing due to the volcanic basalt that covers the area, and its relatively lower elevation. I started from the official trailhead through forest and meadows going clockwise, quickly reaching the ridgeline. There are a ton of lakes in all directions. After a mile or so along the ridgeline, the narrow volcanic feature that makes the trail famous came into view. The trail continues along the entirety of the pretty ridge before descending again down into the forest below. The southern portion of the trail winds through forests over hilly terrain, passing an alternate trailhead for the loop. In 2018, large portions of this area were harvested for timber, so there are swaths of land that are riddled with downed trees. The trail is still pretty, but what a bummer. I'd say it's worth doing the whole loop rather than just going along the Crag Crest as an out-and-back.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Crag Crest
11189 ft
949 rise

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Starting from the official Crag Crest Trailhead.
Starting from the official Crag Crest Trailhead.
The trail leads through some meadows.
The trail leads through some meadows.
Looking back, already lakes visible.
Looking back, already lakes visible.
The junction that I'll rejoin later after completing the loop. I headed left first,  which would lead to the ridge.
The junction that I'll rejoin later after completing the loop. I headed left first, which would lead to the ridge.
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The trail leads safely through a boulder field.
The trail leads safely through a boulder field.
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Wolverine Lake on the right as the trail ascends.
Wolverine Lake on the right as the trail ascends.
Along the ridge.
Along the ridge.
View north along Crag Crest toward Cottonwood Lakes.
View north along Crag Crest toward Cottonwood Lakes.
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The famous volcanic ridgeline Crag Crest is known for.
The famous volcanic ridgeline Crag Crest is known for.
Looking back as I start along the ridge.
Looking back as I start along the ridge.
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The trail continues through the forest for a short time before reemerging onto the narrow ridge.
The trail continues through the forest for a short time before reemerging onto the narrow ridge.
Butts Lake visible on the right.
Butts Lake visible on the right.
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Looking back at the many lakes visible along the Crag Crest Trail.
Looking back at the many lakes visible along the Crag Crest Trail.
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Butts Lake on the right.
Butts Lake on the right.
View back the way I came.
View back the way I came.
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The trail descends eventually, Bullfinch Reservoir visible below.
The trail descends eventually, Bullfinch Reservoir visible below.
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At the west side of Upper Eggleston Lake.
At the west side of Upper Eggleston Lake.
The trail continues through the forest.
The trail continues through the forest.
Eggleston Lake visible below.
Eggleston Lake visible below.
Unfortunate aftermath of logging.
Unfortunate aftermath of logging.
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The trail meanders around hills, through forest and deforested areas.
The trail meanders around hills, through forest and deforested areas.
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Hotel Twin Lake below.
Hotel Twin Lake below.
The last stretch continues through a pretty meadow.
The last stretch continues through a pretty meadow.
Looking back through the meadow.
Looking back through the meadow.
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A junction that leads back to the start of the loop.
A junction that leads back to the start of the loop.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!