Butterknife Trail

About

The Butterknife Trail is a 6.1 to 6.3-mile hiking route in Grand Junction, Colorado, located within the Third Flats area on the Colorado Plateau. The trail offers a medium to easy difficulty rating, characterized by gentle terrain and ground surfaces suitable for all fitness levels. Elevation gain ranges from approximately 420 to 607 feet, with total elevations between 4,911 and 5,518 feet. The route typically takes about four hours to complete as a loop or point-to-point hike. Access begins near Third Flats Road. Hikers can locate the trailhead by heading west on Third Flats Road and following it to the Twist-N-Shout trailhead. The Butterknife Trail branches north from the Twist-N-Shout trail, which extends 2.4 miles. Alternatively, hikers may drive up the steep, rocky Rocky Stumble connecting trail to cut off 3.4 miles of approach distance. Parking is available at the main trailhead. The land manager, the BLM Grand Junction Field Office, permits hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and motorized vehicles including motorcycles. The trail is open year-round, though conditions vary with the season. Local forecasts indicate potential for rain showers and high temperatures, suggesting hikers should carry water (at least 1 liter), sun protection, and potentially a rain shell. The surface is primarily ground, with some rocky sections near the upper end where the Twist-N-Shout trail concludes.