Missionary Ridge Trail
Durango to TH
10 Miles
Gain
2600 Feet
Condition
Fair
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!
No upcoming trailwork events are currently scheduled.
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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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.
