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The Ultimate Guide to the Crag Crest Trail in Colorado
The Grand Mesa a hidden gem, in colorful Colorado. I am very lucky that my parents have a gorgeous cabin right at the top of this vast forest at 10,200 feet in elevation with a peak elevation at 11,332 feet. The Grand Mesa hosts over 300 lakes and stretches over 500 square miles in Colorado. The drive up to the large plateau is gorgeous, from red rock desert to 8 feet of snow, you get a wide variety of scenery. It is a rugged oasis with tons of wildlife and gorgeous scenic views.
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Crag Crest Trail Breakdown
Length: 10.3 Miles
Elevation Gain: 1,548 feet
Route: Loop
Heavily Trafficked
Pet Friendly
Difficulty: Moderate
Parking for the Crag Crest Trail
1. West Trailhead
You will find the West Trailhead across from Island Lake along Highway 65 Grand Mesa Scenic Byway. This is a large trailhead area with a paved road and parking lot.
2. East Trailhead
The East Trailhead is located right next to Eggleston Lake off of Lakeshore Drive dirt road. There is a small Crag Crest Parking sign and map. Next to the parking area, you will find Crag Crest Campground, this is a great campground right next to the trailhead. Once you have parked you will walk 1/4 of a mile to the start of the Crag Crest Trail.
Crag Crest Trail Tips
- Bring Plenty of Water
- Take your time to avoid getting altitude sickness
- Start your hike early to avoid getting caught in an afternoon thunderstorm.
- Wear good quality Hiking Boots
- This trail is only open during the summer and fall months.
- Purchase your Colorado Fishing License before you go fishing – You can purchase it online here
Crag Crest Packing Guide
- Osprey Hydration Pack
- Rain Coat
- Sunscreen
- Headlamp
- Hiking Boots
- Food/Snacks – Think! High Protein Bar
- Extra pair of Socks
- Map
- Camera
- Toilet Paper
- Hat/Sunglass
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Routes
West Trailhead Loop ~ 10.3 Miles
East Trailhead Loop ~ 10.3 Miles
West Trailhead to East Trailhead Via Crest Route ~ 6.5 Miles
West Trailhead to East Trailhead Via Lower Loop Route ~ 4.5 Miles
The Journey
Lakes + Fishing
Grand Mesa is home to over 300 lakes that all offer great fishing spots. Along the Craig Crest trail, you will find four large lakes. Upper Egleston is one of my favorite lakes. This is a great lake for fishing because it offers a large open area. Make sure to spot Butts Lake and Forest Lake, these lakes are emerald blue-green and offer gorgeous views when reaching the peak. Grab your fishing pole and cast out to catch some Rainbow Trout. Be sure to get your fishing license!
Wildflowers
The Columbine is Colorado’s State Flower. It only grows in high altitudes and is hard to find. You will find these unique wild Columbine flowers all throughout the Crag Crest Trail. They come in all varieties from all-white to dark purple and white. You will also see bright red Indian paintbrush flowers and Mertensia Ciliata (Mountain Bluebells).
Skunk Cabbage: This leafy green pictured below is called skunk cabbage. Skunk cabbage is a popular plant in Colorado. You will see large amounts of it during your hike on the Crag Crest trail. Even though the name has cabbage in it, you cannot eat these plants. The height of Skunk Cabbage supposedly predicts how much snow the mountains will be getting in the next winter season.
Peak + Crest
The peak of the hike sits at 11,326 feet at Leon Peak and offers gorgeous panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Fun Fact: Leon Peak was once used as a fire lookout. There are steep drop-offs on both sides of the crest, so be sure to watch your step as the terrain is rocky in some parts.
Picnic
Once you reach the top and take in the panoramic views, find a nice spot to enjoy lunch. My go-to hiking treat is a Think! High Protein Bar. For this 10.3 mile hike, I brought the Lemon Delight High Protein Bar. Think! bars are high in protein at 20 grams per bar, only 1 gram of sugar, and no artificial sweeteners. My Lemon Delight Bar kept me full and gave me the energy to finish out our strenuous hike back to the East Trailhead. Try Think! High Protein Bar Variety Pack, my favorite bars are the Lemon Delight, Cookies & Creme, and Creamy Peanut Butter. Comment below your favorite!
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