Rusty Buckets Trail

About

Rusty Buckets Trail is a 2-mile singletrack in the Buzzard Gulch system near Montrose, Colorado, located within the Dry Creek Recreation Area. The route begins off the Bull Snake trail and climbs gradually to an elevation of approximately 6,674 feet before descending. The terrain transitions from rocky singletrack to smoother, rolling sections and packed dirt as the trail moves from higher sagebrush-covered slopes to lower elevations. The trail is named for scattered metal buckets left as remnants of past refuse disposal. A key practical detail is proximity to a shooting range off Dave Wood Road; the upper section of the trail is close enough that hikers should listen for gunfire, which may occur at any time. Parking is available at the trailhead. The trail is generally considered easy and suitable for hiking or mountain biking, with an average completion time of about one hour.