Lower Bench
- 13.2 mi
- round trip
- 714 ft
- climb
- 8,848 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Lower 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 Lower 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.
Lower Bench is a 13.2-mile out-and-back hike in Colorado's Grand Valley Ranger District, part of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The trail runs from a low point of 8,063 feet to a high point of 8,848 feet, with a one-way elevation gain of 714 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is rated hard. The trail is on natural ground and allows horses, but it is not accessible. Bikes are not permitted. Summer and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. The Forest Service lists an open season from June 1 to October 31. Plan for a full day on foot. Coal Creek and Uc are both about 1.9 miles away, and Spring Creek Truck Trail is about 3.7 miles off. For an overnight stay, OAK CABIN is roughly 8.4 miles away.
Local outfitters
- CampV21 mi away
- RV Ranch at Grand Junction41 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
HIKE
Coal Creek
~3 min drive
2.54-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 371 ft elevation gain.
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Uc
~3 min drive
5.06-mile out-and-back hike in Colorado with 821 ft gain and 8,673 ft max elevation.
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Big Johnson
~7 min drive
3.32-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 890 ft elevation gain.
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LONG CANYON
~9 min drive
19.88-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 3,670 ft elevation gain.
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LEONARDS RIDGE
~13 min drive
1.38-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 632 ft elevation gain
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Atkinson Bench
~9 min drive
8.14-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 470 ft elevation gain.
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Atkinson
~9 min drive
4.00-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 212 ft elevation gain
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Bear Pen Spur 1B
~14 min drive
1.86-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 295 ft of elevation gain.
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Franks Bench
~10 min drive
9.71-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 1,158 ft elevation gain.
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SPRING CREEK
~11 min drive
5.66-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 2,121 ft elevation gain and loss.
