Lower Spring Creek Loop

About

The Lower Spring Creek Loop is a 5.9-mile hiking trail located in Montrose, Colorado, on the Western Slope. The trailhead sits at an elevation of 5,814 feet and offers parking for visitors. Classified as easy, the hike typically takes about three hours to complete. The route descends approximately 1,500 feet from the Uncompahgre National Forest boundary into high desert terrain. The path winds through a thick canopy of Pinyon and Juniper trees before opening into brushy areas. Much of the trail surface is rocky and technical, featuring doubletrack sections and singletrack segments. The trail runs north-south through Spring Creek Canyon, starting near Dave Wood Road and extending westward. It is accessible year-round. The upper section of the trail runs parallel to Spring Creek for roughly 1.5 miles, where hikers may encounter mud or puddles depending on conditions. A designated hike-a-bike section exists near the lower trailhead off Dave Wood Road.