AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Michigan Ditch Trail

12.5 mi · ▲ 2,422 ft · 5 hr 23 min

Michigan Ditch Trail is a 12.5-mile out-and-back near Willey Lumber Camp, CO. It climbs 2,422 ft, with sections as steep as 19% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 29/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi9,708 – 10,758 ft · steepest grade: 19%12.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: American Lakes Trail 40.50452, -105.88403
Nearest town Willey Lumber Camp, CO
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Michigan Ditch Trail

12.5 mi · ▲ 2,422 ft · 5 hr 23 min

Elevation 9,710–10,757 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

  1. Start on American Lakes Trail, heading SE.
  2. 1.1 miTurn right onto Michigan Ditch Trail, heading SW.
  3. 2.4 miSharp right, heading N.
  4. 0.1 miBear right onto County Road 62, heading N.
  5. 200 ftSharp left, heading SW.
  6. 0.8 miSharp right, heading SW.
  7. 0.1 miTurn right, heading NW.
  8. 50 ftSharp left, heading NW.
  9. 1.5 miSharp left, heading NW.
  10. 0.1 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  11. 0.1 miSharp right, heading N.
  12. 1.5 miSharp right, heading NE.
  13. 50 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  14. 0.1 miSharp left, heading S.
  15. 0.9 miBear left, heading NE.
  16. 0.1 miSharp left onto Michigan Ditch Trail, heading SE.
  17. 2.4 miTurn left onto American Lakes Trail, heading SE.
  18. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/michigan-ditch-trail-out-back-20-km-2320

Trail surface

60% dirt38% gravel2% unspecified

Weather

OvercastTemperature 69°F45°
Precip2%Wind11 mphUV8Humidity38%
Rained 0.2″ 5 days ago
Hourly temperature
70°45°
Sunrise 6:35 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PMSunset 7:33 PM
Sat 70°48°
Sun 71°49° 16%
Mon 63°48° 28%
Tue 70°43° 20%
Wed 73°48° 26%
Thu 71°48° 26%

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.7 mi in (~82 min). Leave by 5:51 PM for the 7:33 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:53 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from American Lakes Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Willey Lumber Camp, Colorado