East Unaweep Trail #612

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Features Lake · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

In the middle of the remote Uncompahgre Plateau is a two car parking spot and an unassuming trailhead with a sign for Unaweep Trail #612. From Highway 141 through Unaweep Canyon, turn up Divide Road and drive 10.0 miles and turn right on T South Road (T S Road). Drive 6.4 miles along this dirt road with a few obstacles. You don't need 4 wheel drive, but there are some obstacles that require careful driving. The road makes a sharp left turn at 6.4 miles and there is a small pullout on the right with a trailhead sign.

Run for a couple miles along a well-maintained trail up a small creek, with some pleasant meadows and forest. You'll eventually reach the very beginning of the creek drainage and emerge onto a plateau with enjoyable, lightly wooded scenery. You'll soon cross the Little Bear Lake #660 dirt road. Proceed straight past a sign for Unaweep Trail #601 and run about 100 yards to Little Bear Lake. This would make a nice conclusion to the run, but to really cap it off, find Trail 601 going west from the lake. Follow it for a couple minutes, and just before it begins descending into Bear Canyon, find a subtle two-track branching off to the right. The short and faded trail will lead you to a nice clearing with a beautiful view of Unaweep Canyon 2000 feet below.

Return the way you came, or if you prefer loops like I do, run south along #660 for 5-10 minutes, then turn east on T S Road, and follow this for a couple miles back to your car. The dirt roads are not as enjoyable to run on, but they are still nice and make for a worthwhile loop.