Blair Mountain

4.8/5 (11 reviews)
Glenwood Springs, Colorado (Garfield County)
Last Updated: 11/22/2022

Trail Information

Highlights

Blair Mountain is situated in the White River National Forest, but potentially more known by the region's moniker as the "Flat Tops". Once you find yourself at one of the highest points in this mountainous region of Colorado, you will understand the name. It is comprised of lots of high altitude plateaus, mesas, rolling hills/valleys, and meadows. Its unique geological makeup of being relatively flat at a high altitude allows for an abundance of water retention. There are numerous lakes, ponds, creeks, and marshes along Blair Mountain. Of course with lots of water comes lots of vegetation. This area might be one of the most impressive wildflower displays Colorado has to offer. The actual trail lies on National Forest land that outskirts the Flat Tops Wilderness Area and overlooks the 235,000-acre parcel of land only accessible by foot. In 1919, Arthur Carhart was sent to the area to survey it as a site for summer homes. He was so struck by the landscape that he informed his superiors the land should be set aside, protected, and preserved. He spoke so passionately about the subject that he and the area are credited with sparking the ideas fundamental to the Wilderness Act of 1964. It is for this reason the Flat Tops region is known as “the Cradle of Wilderness”. This track is a technical overlander's dream trail. Its remote location, natural beauty, and plentiful camping/fishing/hiking opportunities will make you want to come back over and over again. Forest Roads jut out in almost every direction, fostering the potential for exploration to be as much or as little as you like. Once you set your wheels on the trail and pitch your tent atop a ridge or by a pristine mountain lake, you may never want to leave.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.8/5 (11 reviews)
Official Crew
35350
Seasonal Closure
Visited: 11/22/2022

This trail has closed for the season. See you next year!
6400
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 09/25/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

I'll be honest...I think other reviews have hyped this one up a bit too much. In regards to the terrain, there wasn't really anything challenging; it's mostly just bumpy/rocky with maybe one or two places that require choosing a line a little more carefully (Waypoints 11 & 13 specifically). In regards to the views, there are plenty of places where you can see for miles and miles and unfortunately I think I missed the peak fall colors by a week or two. What I really enjoyed was that it truly did feel very remote and like I was a long ways away from anything/anyone. I did half the trail in one day, camped for the night and then finished the trail the next morning and that was a fun way to split it up.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 07/20/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

This trail is absolutely incredible. This truly is a technical overlander's dream trail. The decent at waypoint 11/12 was challenging and I had to get out a scout my line a couple times. The climb at waypoint 13 is steep, rocky, and requires focus but isn't too bad. The climb through waypoints 18-22 are extremely steep, loose, and rocky with many shelves to negotiate. This was definitely the hardest part of the trail for me. Many trails have a rating based 1 or 2 short obstacles and then the rest of the trail is relatively easy. This trail has multiple challenging and sustained obstacles to negotiate. I would give this trail a solid 4, (maybe even a 5 at certain points), from waypoint 11-22. For me, this trail was more challenging than any 4 rated trail I've done in the past. But that is possibly due to the multiple, sustained obstacles. All mud bog areas were legally avoidable or not too deep to go through. I was solo so I didn't push my luck with playing in the mud too much. I would also say that the description of the trail being 2wd friendly after waypoint 26 is no longer accurate. Its not too hard at all at that point, but I definitely wouldn't say its 2wd friendly. You could do it in 2wd drive but it would not feel friendly. I switched to 2wd at waypoint 32, which is also where I camped for the night. I'd say waypoints 30, 32, and maybe 33 are the best spots for camping. After that the road gets much easier and there were many trailers, RV's, etc. The views, temps, and solitude were fantastic. This may have been the most wildflowers I have ever seen. I can't wait to go back and combine this trail with the Transfer trail.
Official Crew
35350
Open
Visited: 05/21/2022

According to the MVUM, this trail is open for the season! This trail may be impassable due to snowpack so please plan accordingly and bring all necessary recovery gear.
Official Crew
106250
Seasonal Closure
Visited: 11/22/2021

Closed for the season! See you in 2022!

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