La Junta Basin Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · Views

The trail starts on the Bear Creek Falls Trail at the Bear Creek Reserve. A couple of miles up the trail, turn left and cross a creek to find the switchbacks. Make your way up along the trail. It seems this route is far less popular so the trail isn't as well maintained. You may see downed trees, rock slides and a loose path in places.

After switchbacking your way through the woods, the trail follows some cool conglomerate cliffs for a little while. There might be a few more washed out gullies to maneuver. Then you should come to some mining equipment to make your way through before continuing up.

There are many awesome mountain peaks around you that you are at the base of. Keep heading up, the trail is loose and hard to follow in some places. You'll cross the valley a couple times and eventually be working your way up an old road until you reach La Junta Basin with La Junta Peak on your left and Wasatch Mountain on your right. There is a really nice alpine lake nestled in here that might offer some cool reflections if the wind is calm enough.

If you want to keep going on to Bridal Veil Basin, just keep on keeping on. Return along your route whenever you've had enough of the tremendous views that this valley provides.

Be aware, this trail can be very loose and hard to find in places. There is one section where it is easy to get cliffed out on your way back down. Remember the trail you used on the approach here.