Animas Mountain Upper Loop
Durango to TH
5 Miles
Gain
1430 Feet
Condition
Closed
Region
Trail Length
5.32 Miles
Animas Mountain
Upper Loop
Part of the Animas Mountain Trail System.
A popular and iconic trail in Durango, Animas Mountain yields spectacular views of the Hermosa (to the south) and Animas (to the north) Valleys.
Animas Mountain Upper Loop is very easy to follow via the many signs along the way. Officially, this loop is a lollipop heading in a counter-clockwise direction.
Ride/hike up the doubletrack for a few hundred yards from the parking area and take a right at your first trail junction. Keep taking right turns at all junctions to follow this loop in a counter-clockwise direction.
After 2.5 miles, you will reach the loop’s high point and a beautiful view of the Animas River Valley. The trail then descends 2.5 miles with great views of the La Plata Mountains to the west. The trail rejoins the “stick” of the lollipop at the bottom and down to the parking area where you started. Please note: The upper loop of Animas Mountain is closed for seasonal wildlife closures from December 1 to April 15.
Map & Directions
Map Coordinates: 37.32116, -107.867868
Where's the Trailhead?
dIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD
Animas Mountain Trailhead Parking
Heading North on Main Street, go west (left) on 32nd Street and then a right on West 4th Ave, where you will see the parking lot/trailhead for Animas Mountain a short ways up the road.
Trailwork
help build our trails!
Thursday, September 12 Trailwork
Join us for a weekday trailwork party at [location TBD]. Thank you for volunteering with Trails 2000 at our trailwork party on Thursday, September 12 from 4:30 to 7:30pm!
Love the Trails Like a Local
Say Hi
Greet all trail users by saying hi when passing on the trail.
Announce Yourself
Say "on your left" as approaching other trail users from behind.
Pick Up After Yourself
Pick up after yourself and your pet. Please don’t litter.
Keep Dogs on a Leash
Keep your dogs on a leash or leave them at home. Off-leash dogs are not allowed on City Open Space and are the number one source of trail conflict.
Stay on the Trail
Help protect natural areas and habitats by staying on established trails. Creating "social trails", cutting switchbacks, or ignoring trail closures leads to greater erosion and impacts on ecosystems.
Give Uphill Traffic the
Right of Way
Uphill traffic always has the right of way. Downhill traffic must be in control, especially around blind corners, to avoid coming in contact with uphill traffic.
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Donate to Durango Trails or volunteer for trailwork to help give back to the trails you love.
