Coal Mesa
- 14.1 mi
- one way
- 4,439 ft
- climb
- 11,538 ft
- high point
- Point to point
- route
Is Coal Mesa open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Coal Mesa, 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.
Coal Mesa is a hard hike in the Gunnison Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in Colorado, managed by the Forest Service. The route is about 14 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 4,439 feet, from a low point of about 7,715 feet to a high of about 11,538 feet. It is a point-to-point trail, so plan for a full day or more on foot. The trail is natural-surface and allows horses, but not bikes. That makes it a good fit for riders heading out with a horse, and the route's length and climb mean supplies and a plan for the whole trip are essential. The trail starts close to Soap Creek Corral Horse Camp, about half a mile away, and Soap Creek Corral, about 0.5 miles off. Cow Creek is a nearby hike at about 0.6 miles, and Commissary campground is about 1.5 miles away.
Local outfitters
- Cedar Creek RV Park and Lodging30 mi away
- Peak Mountain Guides41 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
- Soap Creek Corral Horse CampCamping0.4 mi
- Soap Creek CorralCamping0.5 mi
- Cow CreekHiking0.6 mi
- CommissaryCamping1.5 mi
- CurecantiHiking3.6 mi
- Lion GulchHiking4.4 mi
- Soap CreekCanoeing5.8 mi
- Lake City Branch Abandoned RailwayCanoeing6.4 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Ponderosa TrailHiking · ~4 min drivePhoto: bradleygee, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
Dillon Pinnacles TrailHiking · ~11 min drivePhoto: AndreyZharkikh, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)- Pioneer Point OverlookHiking · ~15 min drive
Hermits Rest TrailHiking · ~22 min drivePhoto: Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- Sun Park TrailHiking · ~20 min drive
Curecanti Creek TrailHiking · ~15 min drivePhoto: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
Pine Creek TrailHiking · ~12 min drivePhoto: AndreyZharkikh, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)- Cow CreekHiking · ~1 min drive
- CRYSTAL CREEK SPUR 4A BOTHHiking · ~10 min drive
- Curecanti Creek TrailHiking · ~15 min drivePhoto: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
Route details
- Distance
- 14.1 mi
- Climbing
- About 4,439 ft
- Starts at
- Coal Mesa Trailhead (about 7,807 ft)
- Summit
- 11,619 ft
- Difficulty
- Hard
Getting there
Park at Coal Mesa Trailhead.
Season
Season: Year-round.
Questions about this route
How long is the Coal Mesa on Bonfisk Peak?
About 14.1 mi from Coal Mesa Trailhead (about 7,807 ft).
How much elevation gain is on the Coal Mesa?
About 4,439 ft of climbing round trip.
How hard is the Coal Mesa?
It is rated hard.
Where does the Coal Mesa start?
Coal Mesa Trailhead (about 7,807 ft).
When is the best time for the Coal Mesa?
Year-round.
Conditions and forecast on Bonfisk Peak
Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.
