| About Uncompahgre National Forest |
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| Alpine Trail |
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Recommended Season:
Summer to Fall
USGS Maps:
Sheep Mountain, Courthouse Mountain
Usage:
Light
Length:
17 Miles
Ending Elevation:
9,600 Feet
Elevation Gain:
393 Feet
Difficulty:
Moderate
Beginning Elevation:
9,207 Feet
Trail Number:
# 225
Reservation:
No
From , Access #3:From U. S. 50 take Little Cimarron Road located one mile east of Owl Creek - Cimarron Road. Little Cimarrron - Alpine trailhead is signed two miles inside the National Forest Boundary.
Location Information
The Alpine Trail is the primary access to High Mesa and Big Park. Both areas have excellent elk habitat, with long open flat meadows surrounded by dense Engelmann spruce and sub alpine fir forests.Summer use is light with heavier use during fall big game seasons. Travel time is an easy two day ride. There is a good water supply in Little Cimarrona and Big Park and good horse feed throughout. There is also good camping in High Mesa, Little Cimarrona and Big Park areas. During the early to mid 1900's, pack horses were the mode of travel for the Forest Service in the Cimarrona area. Originally the Alpine Trail connected the Jackson Guard Station to the Alpine Guard Station. This was one of the primary travel routes through this part of the District. Remnants of the old phone line connecting the stations may be seen attached to trees along the trail. Today the Alpine Trail is used mostly for hunting access and recreation. The trail continues to also be important for Forest Service administration of range allotments and general administration purposes. Motorized vehicles are permitted on the Alpine Trail. Care must be used on the steeper switch backs, however.
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