Missionary Ridge Trail
Durango to TH
10 Miles
Gain
2600 Feet
Condition
Good
Region
Trail Length
9 Miles
Photo Courtesy of Missy Thompson
Part of the Missionary Ridge trails system.
Missionary Ridge Trail is a 9-mile difficult trail along the top of Missionary Ridge. This trail descends/ascends 2,600 feet depending on your direction. The Missionary Ridge trail network is an unknown gem even to most locals. There are multiple trailheads that offer a selection of generally snow-free, three-season hikes in the low country. In spring, aspen corridors are carpeted with purple larkspur and sunny dandelion. Spears of lupine and alpine rose fill green glades with sublime fragrance. Look out from the well-earned ridgetop to the La Plata range and the San Juan Mountains. Great review in The Durango Herald.
Map & Directions
Map Coordinates: 37.384412, -107.774849
Where's the Trailhead?
dIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD
Missionary Ridge Trail southern access Silver Mesa Drive
Drive 4.3 miles on CR 240 east from its junction with East Animas Road, to the first entrance of Durango Hills subdivision. Turn left on paved CR 249 and set your odometer to 0.0. At 0.3 miles, turn left on Nusbaum. At 1.0 miles, go straight on Stagecoach and FS 071. At miles 2.0, turn left and downhill, passing a spur to the right. Follow FS 071 signs to the top. At 2.2 miles, turn right on Silver Mesa Drive, then continue straight on Silver Mesa at 2.6. At 3.0, you’ve reached the trailhead.
Or, if you prefer to hike UP: (Watch for downhill bikes) At U.S. Highway 550 and Trimble Lane (County Road 252), zero-out your trip meter and drive east. At 0.9 mile, turn left/north on East Animas Road (County Road 250). At 3.6 miles, turn right at the Stevens Creek Trailhead. There is room for only one vehicle. Drop a car and head back south on County Road 250. The roomy parking lot for the Haflin Creek Trailhead is on the left at 7.5 miles. Alternatively, if you wish to go directly to Haflin from Durango, it is 5.4 miles north from the corner of East Animas Road and Florida Road (County Road 240), on the right.
Trailwork
help build our trails!
*TENTATIVE* Trail Construction: September 5
Join Durango Trails for our monthly First Saturdays Trailwork Party! Help us maintain our regional trails while spending a fun day outdoors. No experience is necessary for trailwork, and Durango Trails will provide the necessary instruction, safety tool talk, tools, work gloves, and water and snacks for the entire crew. Please note, registration is required to join us for Trailwork; please click below to register.
Trip Reports
Missionary Ridge Trail
Submitted by: Anonymous
Date Visited:
5/30/20
Trail Condition:
Good
Comments:
Half a dozen or so down trees between First Fork and Stevens Creek. No snow. One puddle where the creek crosses the trail between Red Creek and First Fork.
