Bobcat & Duncan Loop Trails in the Gunnison Gorge

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Bob is going to be the first in the truck

This is the shorter loop of the three in the Gorge, and probably has the most scrambling. I have been down the Duncan Trail, but not on Bobcat, so this will be considered an exploratory hike. This is the BLM rambling description of the route down Bobcat and Duncan, but we will be coming up Duncan:

Bobcat Trail: Rough trail from the ridge to the river. The last half-mile is a steep descent, with patches of loose rock underfoot. Type of trip: Out-and-back day hike or overnight camping. Distance: 1.5 miles from ridge to river. Another 3.5 miles of river is accessible to hiking. Elevation change: 800 feet. Difficulty: Difficult. Maps: Trails Illustrated Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park/Gunnison Gorge Recreation Area or USGS "Black Ridge"

The trail winds yucca, mountain mahogany, and juniper. Its switchbacks follow and criss-cross a ravine. Several sections are steep. Watch for loose rock underfoot. The last half-mile is the steepest and one drop has a 20 ft. rope anchored to a juniper tree to make the climb down easier. This trail is not as clearly distinguishable as others. Looking across the canyon on the way down, notice the dramatic, steep walls of the rock cleavage near the river. This rock is very hard and erosion-resistant compared to the sandstone and other sedimentary rock above it. And much older, too -- it was formed up to 1.7 billion years ago. Keep an eye out for poison ivy. (we did not see any at this time, however)

Duncan Trail: Rough trail from Black Ridge to the Gunnison River. Type of trip: Out-and-back day hike or overnight camping. Distance: 1.5 miles from the trailhead to river; 3-6 miles round trip. Elevation change: 840 feet. Difficulty: Difficult. Maps: Trails Illustrated Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park/Gunnison Gorge Recreation Area or USGS "Black Ridge"

Shortly after you start to descend, the easy-to-follow trail curves north. Looking east across the gorge, you can see the broad, juniper-studded Pitts Meadow fanning down from Buttermilk Ridge. On the horizon to the southeast, look for the jagged ridgeline indentations of the Black Canyon.

The trail descends and follows a gully. The black tar of desert varnish seeps down rock faces like the war paint on a native American warrior's face. The last half-mile is very steep, with loose scree. Stay on the north side (to your left) of the ravine. At about .25 mile from the river, you may be tempted to walk down the ravine. It's possible to descend to the river this way, but more dangerous since you'll have to climb along the smooth ravine wall over a steep drop. Stick to the trail on the left side of the ravine instead and climb over the small ridges.

There's no poison ivy along the trail, but keeep an eye out for it along the river. (Again, we did not see any at this time) You can hike along the river up to the Bobcat Trail and, with a climb over the rocks across from Buttermilk Rapids, down to the Ute Trail. The first campsite upriver has an outhouse. You may notice bushes and trees cut down along the river and at campsites. It's not vandalism. It's part of a program to control invading, non-native tamarisk.

We will come up Duncan only as far as the Bighorn Trail that stays on the rim to return to the Bobcat trailhead. Total distance should be about 6.5 miles, with roughly 1,000 feet of gain. Expect 5-6 hours. Temps will be similar to last weekend, so an early start would be great. I am thinking a 7 a.m. meetup at the Montrose Safeway, with arrival at the Bobcat trailhead around 7:45.

**** If we do get the partly cloudy weather as forecasted ****

A mountain bike addition of the Red Rocks Nighthorse and Sidewinder Trail loop from Bobcat TH to Duncan TH at the end of the day will be considered. This is maybe around 4 miles. I have not had a mountain bike on these trails and would like to give them a look-see when there.

Bring at least 3 liters of water, you will use it! Or you can drink the water in the river. Everyone in Montrose does. Disclaimer applies.....