Total Mileage: 4
Location: Cuchara, CO
This Trail is Good for: Hiking, Backpacking, Horseback Riding, ATV, 4WD
Pets: Undercontrol, but not necessarily on a leash.
Duration of Hike: 2 hrs
No: open to all
Possible Loops: With North Fork Trail, Ridge walk from top of Trinchera peak Rd
Time of Year I Hiked the Trail: July 17, 2017
I took an overnight camp trip and ended up not being able to get to the trails I found on the map due to private land along Hwy 12 between Stonewall and Cuchara. So, I ended up driving up Cucharas River Rd. and up another 4WD road looking for dispersed camping. I then took this evening hike to see where the 4WD road I was camped on went and if I could drive farther up.
Directions to the Trailhead
Hwy 12 to Cuchara and just to the south turn west on Cucharas River Rd towards Cuchara Campground. The same road also goes to Blue and Bear lakes. After Blue Lake or in that area turn off on Trinchera Peak Rd (or an unnamed 4WD Rd) that indicates some dispersed camping. There is some sort of shed near the intersection on the norhtern corner. There is a small parking area less than 1/4 up the road. The road gets significantly less hospitable after the parking area and is 4WD only. I went up another 1/2-3/4 mi up the road to a pullout and small camp area. This is where I camped. This is possibly the last camping area before tree line on this road. You will not be turning around either.
Time to Nearest Town: 45 min to Cuchara
Condition of Approach Roads: The forest road up to Blue lake is well maintained and RV’s can be hauled up it. The Trinchera Peak Rd is a 4WD road and would be very hard to travel if very wet – even in 4WD.
Trail Description
The road is a typical forest 4WD road only this one is maintained against tree-fall. You can tell this happens often and trees are always being cleared from it. The road is a steady grade up. As I came up to the ridge the road got flatter and continued up to tree line. As the road breaks out of the trees there are great campsites for the next several hundred yards.
The road continues to climb past treeline and clear up to the saddle in Trinchera Peak. It looks as if you can drive the whole way, but it was getting dark and I had to turn around and head back to camp. I had 2-3 ATV parties pass me on the way up.
There is a great view from just above treeline looking north toward Cuchara and of the Spanish Peaks.
This would be a great hike to the saddle and possible ridge walk. Gonna have to come back with this as the intent.