Grand Mesa National Forest
Selected Hiking Trails

Crag Crest National Recreation Trail:

The Crag Crest Trail in the Grand Mesa National Forest is a designated National Recreation Trail. The trail is a 10.3 mile circular trail consisting of a hike along the crest and a loop return. In the summer rainy season you'll want to get an early start to avoid the afternoon thunderstorms. The Crag Crest Trail is accessed from two trailheads: one trailhead on the west end across from Island lake and another trailhead on the east end adjacent to Eggleston Lake. The crest part of the trail (6.5 miles) rises steeply from the East Trailhead to the top of Crag Crest. From the West Trailhead, the crest portion rises more gradually to the high point of Crag Crest. Sections of the trail are on a narrow ridge with steep drop offs on both sides. The loop portion (3.4 miles) provides an alternate to returning to your vehilce by going over the crest. Only foot access is allowed on the crest portion between the East Trailhead and the Cottonwood Lakes Trail junction. Rocky dropoffs and narrow trails make any other type of passage unsafe. Foot, horse and mountain bike are allowed on the loop portion and on the crest portion between the West Trailhead and the Cottonwood Lakes Trail junction.

Elevations: 10,150' at Eggleston Lake, 11,189' at the crest.