State: Colorado
Location: Gunnison National Forest
Length, One-Way: 12 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 9700 feet
Elevation Change: 2660 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Heavy
Trail Information
The Big Blue Trail is one of the major access routes into the Uncompahgre Wilderness. The trail starts 1/2 mile south of the Big Blue Campground at approximately 9,670 feet elevation. The trail parallels Big Blue Creek for approximately 10.8 miles through a spruce forest climbing to an elevation of 11,440 feet. The Big Blue Trail forks at this point with the left fork continuing the Big Blue Trail. This part of trail head 1.5 more miles to end at the intersection with Ridge Stock Driveway (#233).
The scenery from the Big Blue Trail is spectacular offering hikers views of several peaks over 13,000 feet.
Directions
From Lake City:
Drive north on Highway 149 toward Gunnison for about 10 miles to the Alpine Forest Access Road. Take this road past the Alpine Plateau Road to Big Blue Campground (about 9 miles from Highway 149). The trail begins about 1.2 miles south of the campground.
