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Coal Canyon
Mesa County, Colorado
View this on the Colorado Trailheads Map
Nearby Towns: Palisade, Grand Junction
Season: May 1st through November 30th
Trail Length: 14.7 miles
Elevation: 6,018 feet
Named Obstacles: Monster
The reason for the big difference between the low rating and the high rating for this trail is the obstacle we've named "Monster" that is optional and very hairy. If you only go to the north overlook the trail is actually rated lower than a 3 and would be fine for any 4x4 vehicle.
Coal Canyon is in the Little Book Cliffs Wilderness Study Area, comprised of 26,525 acres of beautiful land. Within this large area is the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Area. 80 to 120 wild horses roam free and are easily viewable from the trail. This is one of only three areas in the United States set aside for wild horses.
The trail starts at the Cameo exit 46 just northeast of Grand Junction and Palisade. This is where the big public service plant is just off the road. You can air down here or at the trailhead, which is marked with a sign.
If the trail is wet it is a completely different trail and much more difficult. It starts by following the power lines and there are many water crossings and puddles if it has been raining. Otherwise the area is fairly dry.
The road is pretty flat and tame for awhile, and you are surrounded by beautiful mesas. You will come to a place where you can go up and to your right, which will take you to the northern-most overlook.
When you get to the top you are rewarded with a view of all of the southern-most trails as well as many more mesas. You can also see more wild horses with this excellent vantage point. This overlook is not difficult to get to if it is dry.
From here you can see the many options you have to get to the southern overlooks. Once you go back down and into Coal Canyon you have to cross an obstacle in the middle in order to get to the other side.
This obstacle is rocky with loose dirt and will be fun for all drivers. Stock 4x4 vehicles may need to turn around here, especially if it is wet.
When you get to the bottom you can go up the steep hills. Some have some small rock stairs but all of them are mostly dirt. When you get to the top you can look back at the northern overlook, then travel up to the edge.
Here you can see all of Palisade and a part of Grand Junction in the distance. You are on top of the ridge next to Mount Garfield. This is the gray-brown mountain ridge right next to I-70.
The Monster obstacle is easy to miss, so you may have to look carefully if you want to try it. There are a few steep trails up to the cliff edge, and Monster is in between the second one and the third one as you approach them from the main trail. You can only get to it from near the top of the second and middle one.
When you start to come down the middle trail, veer to the left to get to Monster. There is room to turn around here if you just want to go see it. It is a very long and rocky hill and doable only by bigger vehicles and buggies. When you get to the bottom there is no way out so you must come back up. It is too long to use a tow strap from the top.
If you take the third trail up to the top you can see Monster from the other side. You also go down some fun stairs and follow along a cliff edge. It eventually dead-ends just above the Gearhart Mine, with another spectacular view of Palisade. You can continue on by hiking further, following a trail that starts here.
This is a great trail and could really challenge the big 4x4 vehicles as well as the stock SUVs.
Member Reports
Driving Directions Take I-70 to exit 46, marked "Cameo." You will pass the large public service power plant and cross the Colorado River. There is a parking area and a sign in 1.5 miles.
Meeting Places Meet at the public service power plant at I-70 exit 46 to Cameo.
Additional Information
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Grand Junction BLM Field Office
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