Jouflas Loop

Dogs Off-leash

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The trailhead is near a cattle guard. It is best to start this loop run in the morning when the road is quieter. Run down the road about 1.5 miles to the McDonald Canyon trailhead. There is an outhouse at this trailhead. Take McDonald Creek Trail and watch for the cairn on the left marking the start of Jouflas Trail at about 2 miles from the start of the run. The singletrack trail continues in a southern direction until reaching the rim overlooking the Colorado River.

The trail now hugs the rim giving you lots of opportunities to see the river rushing far below. At about the 5 1/2 mile mark, the trail turns away from the river and now follows below some dramatic sandstone cliffs. Watch for cairns (small stacked piles of rocks) when the trail crosses sections of slick rock. The singletrack trail weaves through the juniper forest until it reaches a cattle fence. The Jouflas Trail follows the fence until it gets you back to your parked vehicle.

Watch for bald eagles along the river in the winter. Western bluebirds are often seen. Lots of wildflowers in the spring.