Mendicant Ridge

Mendicant Ridge is a hard hike in Colorado's Paonia Ranger District, part of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The trail is an out-and-back that climbs from about 8,600 feet to roughly 11,700 feet, with a total elevation gain of 2,774 feet over a route of about 20 miles. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open from July 1 to September 30. The route is natural-surface and allows both horses and bikes. It is not an accessible trail. The Dyer Connection lies just 0.1 mile away, and Dyer Creek and West Dyer are each about 2 miles off. For an overnight base, Commissary campground is about 8 miles away.