Michigan Ditch Trail
7.8 mi · ▲ 706 ft · 2 hr 57 min
Michigan Ditch Trail is a 7.8-mile out-and-back near Willey Lumber Camp, CO. It climbs 706 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade, and is mostly gravel. It scores 30/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Michigan Ditch Trail
7.8 mi · ▲ 706 ft · 2 hr 57 min
Elevation 9,828–10,400 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: American Lakes Trail · 40.50452, -105.88403
Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 69°F / low 45° · precip 2% · wind 11 mph · sunrise 6:35 AM · sunset 7:33 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on American Lakes Trail, heading SE.
- 1.1 miTurn right onto Michigan Ditch Trail, heading SW.
- 2.4 miSharp right, heading N.
- 0.1 miSharp left onto County Road 62, heading S.
- 0.3 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
- 0.3 miSharp right, heading N.
- 0.1 miSharp left onto Michigan Ditch Trail, heading S.
- 2.4 miTurn left onto American Lakes Trail, heading N.
- 1.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.7 mi in (~82 min). Leave by 5:50 PM for the 7:33 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:53 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from American Lakes Trail Trailhead
- Michigan Ditch Trail 4.1 mi · ▲ 530 ft
- Crags Basin via Michigan Ditch Trail 4.4 mi · ▲ 585 ft
- American Lakes Viewpoint & American Lakes Trail 6.8 mi · ▲ 1,356 ft
- Cameron Pass & Michigan Ditch Trail 7.2 mi · ▲ 557 ft
- Diamond Peaks Trail & Michigan Ditch Trail 8.2 mi · ▲ 1,259 ft
- Lulu Mountain–American Lakes, 3 summits 9.5 mi · ▲ 2,475 ft
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Hikes near Willey Lumber Camp, Colorado