Grizzly Lake Trail
St. Elmo, Colorado

by The Flatlander for

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The fun begins early on this trail, just the other side of this innocent creek crossing.

The climb out of the creek places your tires in contact with some rugged exposed bedrock. The first step is wicked enough but it was the second that gave our group the most fits.

Many an open axled rig spun their tires on this one. One rig required a tow strap after his spinning tires slid him down to his left. Rigs with even one locker got up with little trouble. Not far above the first switchback just above this obstacle there is some steep going that also gave some of the open axle 4X4s problems.

The trail is scenic but bumpy. So air your tires down for a smoother ride, stick it in granny low and just idle up and enjoy the scenery.

I really enjoyed the fresh mountain air scented by the pine trees while taking in the nonstop beauty along the way.

It's less than 3 miles from the beginning of the trail to Grizzly Lake which makes a great picnic stop. There was plenty of room for our entire group to relax and do a little exploring during our lunch break.

Just another nice picture on the way down, what can I say that the picture doesn't relate better!

There are several old cabins and ruins along the road that can be explored also.

Grizzly Lake is west of Hwy 285. The turn off is south of Nathrop. Take the turn to St. Elmo and Mount Princeton on County 162. About 16 miles up County 162 take a left at the Y (marked County 295 to Hancock). This is just before St. Elmo so if you end up in St. Elmo you went just a little too far. About a quarter mile up County 295 take a left. Then another two tenths of a mile up that road take a hard left to cross a stream and start the fun. The trail is just under 3 miles long.

'96 ALL-4-FUN

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