This well-traveled trail goes up from the Colorado River to the White River Plateau through the canyon cut by Grizzly Creek. The trail follows the creek most of the time and is very rocky in some areas. The first 1/2 mile of the trail is broad and fairly level offering good spots to have a picnic near the creek. Further up, the trail becomes narrower and is surrounded by dense, lush vegetation. The last mile and a half of the Grizzly Creek trail is steeper and covered with loose rocks. There are good views near the top of lower Grizzly Creek and of Glenwood Canyon with its deep cut gorges. The trail ends at a metal aqueduct that takes water out of the creek to be used for Glenwood Springs' water supply.SPECIAL INTERESTS
WILDLIFE - Grizzly Creek was named by a man called Ryan, a wealthy game hunter who killed the largest grizzly bear in western Colorado in 1881 near the upper part of Grizzly Creek Canyon. There are no known grizzly bears in Colorado now, but the Glenwood Canyon area is home to a wide variety of wildlife including mule deer, porcupines, mountain lions, squirrels and some bighorn sheep. The creek bed is dense with deciduous trees and shrubs which attract numerous species of song birds. Because of the abundant wildlife, there are good chances to view many species. FISHING - Grizzly Creek offers excellent fishing for whitefish in the lower stretches and brook trout in the upper sections, although it is difficult to cast in some areas because of the large boulders and dense vegetation.
Directions from Eagle: Go 23 miles west of Eagle on Interstate 70 into Glenwood Canyon and take the Grizzly Creek exit. There are toilets and drinking water at the rest area facility. Abundant parking exists in the lower and upper lots. The trailhead is on the north side of the highway next to the upper parking lot.
Directions from Vail: Go 43 miles west on Interstate 70 into Glenwood Canyon and take the Grizzly Creek exit. There are toilets and drinking water at the rest area facility. Abundant parking exists in the lower and upper lots. The trailhead is on the north side of the highway next to the upper parking lot.
Directions from Beaver Creek: Go 34 miles west on Interstate 70 into Glenwood Canyon and take the Grizzly Creek exit. There are toilets and drinking water at the rest area facility. Abundant parking exists in the lower and upper lots. The trailhead is on the north side of the highway next to the upper parking lot
Directions from Glenwood Springs: Go 7 miles east on Interstate 70 into Glenwood Canyon and take the Grizzly Creek exit. There are toilets and drinking water at the rest area facility. Abundant parking exists in the lower and upper lots. The trailhead is on the north side of the highway next to the upper parking lot.
Seasonal Information:
Recommended Season:
May through November .
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open, dry Updated: 2002-05-16 08:35:00.0
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