Open in App
Upload to Gaia GPS
Please wait - Uploading to Gaia GPS
Coal Gulch
Fruita,
Colorado
(Mesa County)
Last Updated:
05/01/2021
Trail Information
Highlights
Coal Gulch is a picturesque drive down a scenic canyon through the Book Cliffs north of Grand Junction, Colorado. Several side canyons offer wonderful hiking and mountain bike trails along the way. Natural Gas wells and pumping stations are scattered throughout your drive as you make your way up out of the canyon, across Ross Ridge, and ending with spectacular views of the Grand Valley. This trail is ideal for any 4wd vehicle in dry conditions but can become extremely treacherous and impassible when wet.
Trail Difficulty and Assessment
Start your next adventure on Coal Gulch
Upgrade your Membership
Unlock all of the details on every Trail Guide and Scout Route.
Start a 7-day Free TrialUploading to Gaia GPS
Share Trail
Trail Navigation
Trail Reviews
Open
Rated
5/5
Visited: 06/07/2022
Difficulty Accuracy:
Harder
First off, this was a fun trail. The views through the gulch are great, and as you near the top, it opens up to beautiful, wildflower filled meadows. As you get to the end of the trail, the views of the valley stretch on for miles and miles. Absolutely breathtaking.
The first 10 miles or so are easy, just a dirt road with some rough spots. Then the last 2 miles or so get a little trickier, but manageable. We actually bailed at the last 1/4 mile, there's a rocky, descending shelf section that's pretty steep, and we just weren't comfortable with our Jeep Commander with a 2.5" lift and 31" tires. We'll come back to finish it when we get 33"s and a little more experience.
Oh, and the top camping spot is as good as it gets, stunning views and meadows of wildflowers... BUT there is a grave with a headstone at it... so we opted for one of the lower campsite in the canyons.
Partially Open
Visited: 09/29/2020
As of today, 9/29/20, Coal Gulch is only open to the fire edge, which is right around waypoint 9. The current closure will likely remain in effect through winter, with the exception of a possible opening of the entire Coal Gulch area. The local BLM office will update their pages when updates occur.
Closure Map: https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/ClosureAreaMap_40x40_20200910_PineGulch_COGRD307_topo%20%281%29.pdf
Info: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/southwest-district
From the Community
Start a free trial and get this level of detail on every trail
guide
Start Free Trial
Print Trail Guide
Purchase
Company
Community
Recent Updates
By clicking "ACCEPT", you agree to be the terms and conditions of each policy linked to above. You also agree to the storing of cookies on your device to facilitate the operation and functionality of our site, enhance and customize your user experience, and to analyze how our site is used.