West Bench

West Bench is an 11.6-mile out-and-back trail located near Colorado in Colorado, managed by the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest Parks Ranger District. The trail offers hikers an opportunity to explore the scenic terrain of northern Colorado's national forest system. As an out-and-back route, the trail follows the same path for both directions, with a total distance of 11.6 miles round trip. This format allows hikers to turn back at any point along the route, making it flexible for different fitness levels and time constraints. The trail is situated within the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, which encompasses diverse landscapes and wildlife habitat across the Colorado Front Range and Medicine Bow Mountains. Hikers can expect to encounter typical high country terrain characteristic of this region. For trip planning, visitors should contact the Parks Ranger District of Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest for current trail conditions, seasonal closures, and any specific regulations. The ranger district can provide detailed information about water availability, wildlife considerations, and other factors relevant to hiking in this area.