Log Chutes Trails

Animas River Drainage

Located within the Columbine Ranger District of San Juan National Forest, the 4 mile Inner Loop & 7 mile Outer Loop make up the Log Chutes Trails are rated moderate and receives heavy use. Log Chutes Trails begin and ends at an elevation of 7,500' (Junction Creek) with it's highest elevation being 8,400'.

Inner Loop: Take the first left onto another trail and hike across the lower slopes of Barnes Mountain. The trail travels gently up and down for about 2 miles, cross the gravel road and descend a short singletrack to the corrals where the two loops merge and angle left.

Outer Loop: Take the second left and climb a 0.25 mile singletrack until it turns into an old road. Follow this logging road 1.5 miles before turning right to ascend a 0.5 mile singletrack. Cross the graveled Junction Creek Road and follow the trail up for about 200 yards before descending the Neglected Mine Road to the corrals.

To access the Log Chutes Trails a Junction Creek, turn west onto 25th street in Durango, which becomes Junction Creek Road. Continue about 3 miles to the Forest boundary (road turns to gravel). Continue along the gravel road for 2 miles to the sign for "Log Chutes Parking". Turn right and park at the trailhead. Begin hiking east on a road that's open to vehicles. After 1 mile there's a road on the left with a gate and bicycle sign. Turn left and continue 0.5 miles until the trail levels out. Signed intersections for the smaller and larger loops are available.

La Plata County Colorado