Garner

Garner is a 14.6-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado, managed by the Bureau of Land Management's San Luis Valley Field Office. It lies near the town of Colorado, within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest's Ouray Ranger District. The route leads into remote backcountry on the Uncompahgre Plateau, and its out-and-back format lets you turn around at any point, which suits hikers with different fitness levels and time constraints. The trail climbs from about 8,570 feet to about 12,683 feet, a total of roughly 4,113 feet of elevation gain over the 14.7-mile round trip. The surface is natural, and horses are allowed. Because the trail is long and the elevation gain is steep, it works well for a longer day hike or a backpacking trip. Before heading out, check current conditions and any access restrictions with the Ouray Ranger District. Trail conditions can change, and the district manages the surrounding forest as well as this route. Cottonwood Peak sits just 0.1 mile away, and Lakes Peak is about 0.6 mile off. Valley View Hot Springs and the Hot Springs hike are both about 0.9 mile from the trail.