Rating: difficult

Distance: 0.25 mile

Surface: crusher fines, gravel, dirt, clay

Width: Avg: 4’ Min: 3’

Cross Slope: Max: 11.4% for 12’

Grade: Avg: 5% Max: 13% for 10’

Trail Notes: From the trailhead, you can get a pretty good idea of what’s ahead of you on the trail. A 75’ access path with a 5% average slope takes you to a 64” wide gate. The accessible crusher fines trail is immediately to the left. This goes for about 250’. The surface then turns to large dispersed pieces of rock and gravel on top of hard packed dirt. This rough and tough trail takes you over a couple bridges to a sandstone outcropping. This area is ideal for adventurous wheelchair types to play around and test their skills or just enjoy the view. Several juniper trees hunker here providing shade for weary hikers.

Hard Spots: This difficult 0.25 mile trail is appropriate for wheelchair users who are looking for an extra challenge. Besides continuous obstacles over 2” high on the trail, there is a section with a grade of 9% for 80’. Historically a coal mining area, the trail lacks cover and shade. It can be extremely hot during a summer afternoon hike.

Habitat: Birdwatchers can peruse the skies for a solitary red tailed hawk floating the thermals. Coyotes and mule deer are common. Prairie dogs and grazing cattle share the landscape. Remnants of rare tallgrass prairie turn colors in the fall: tan, ochre, fawn, russet, and burgundy.

Culture and History: This was a coal mining area from the 1860’s until the 1930’s. Sink holes, old railroad grades, and earthworks dot the landscape. An interpretive sign at the trailhead provides historic information on the area. For a fascinating account of the coal mining at Marshall Mesa, download Joanna Sampson’s brochure “Walking through History on Marshall Mesa”: bouldercolorado. gov/media/1599/download?inline