Atkinson Bench
- 8.1 mi
- round trip
- 470 ft
- climb
- 9,225 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Atkinson Bench open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Atkinson Bench, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).
Gold Mountain Wildfire Roads and Trails Closure Order v 4.0
Agency closure covering Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests · USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
Ophir Pass Road Closure
Agency closure covering Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests · USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
Potter Basin and Beaver Park Roads Emergency Closures
Agency alert covering Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests · USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
TERMINATION OF ORDER - FIRE RESTRICTIONS
Agency alert covering Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests · USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
Dallas Area Closure order
Agency alert covering Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests · USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
As of · Source: USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Atkinson Bench is an out-and-back hike of about 8 miles on the natural-surface trails of the Grand Valley Ranger District, part of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in western Colorado. The route rises from a low point of about 9,049 feet to a high of about 9,225 feet, and it is a hard hike. The trail is open from June 1 through October 31, and it is open to both horses and bikes. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is rated hard, so plan on a steady climb over the course of the route. The Atkinson hike lies about half a mile away, and Spring Creek and South Bench are both within about 3.5 miles. Kelso Mesa is about 4.3 miles off.
Local outfitters
- CampV18 mi away
- Cedar Creek RV Park and Lodging40 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
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Atkinson
Next door
4.00-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 212 ft elevation gain
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Bear Pen Spur 1B
~6 min drive
1.86-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 295 ft of elevation gain.
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South Bench
~6 min drive
18.19-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado managed by Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests.
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Paradox Trail
~22 min drive
22.78-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 2,867 ft elevation gain/loss.
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SPRING CREEK
~3 min drive
5.66-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 2,121 ft elevation gain and loss.
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Coal Creek
~8 min drive
2.54-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 371 ft elevation gain.
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Kelso Mesa
~7 min drive
9.83-mile out-and-back trail on Kelso Mesa in Colorado, 207 ft elevation gain.
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LONG CANYON
~15 min drive
19.88-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 3,670 ft elevation gain.
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Big Johnson
~6 min drive
3.32-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 890 ft elevation gain.
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47 Trail Connector
~12 min drive
0.98-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 325 ft elevation gain.
