AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Michigan Ditch Trail

15 mi · ▲ 2,746 ft · 6 hr 22 min

Michigan Ditch Trail is a 15-mile out-and-back near Willey Lumber Camp, CO. It climbs 2,746 ft, with sections as steep as 22% grade. It scores 24/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi9,400 – 10,758 ft · steepest grade: 22%15.3 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

15 mi · ▲ 2,746 ft · 6 hr 22 min

Elevation 9,401–10,757 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: American Lakes Trail · 40.50452, -105.88403

Weather Sep 5: 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. 1.6 miSharp right, heading NW.
  10. 0.6 miBear right, heading N.
  11. 150 ftTurn right, heading N.
  12. 0.6 miBear right, heading NE.
  13. 450 ftReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  14. 450 ftBear left, heading E.
  15. 0.6 miTurn left, heading W.
  16. 150 ftBear left, heading W.
  17. 0.6 miSharp left, heading E.
  18. 1.6 miSharp right, heading E.
  19. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  20. 0.1 miSharp left, heading NE.
  21. 0.9 miBear left, heading E.
  22. 0.1 miSharp left onto Michigan Ditch Trail, heading NE.
  23. 2.4 miTurn left onto American Lakes Trail, heading SE.
  24. 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-24-km-9940

Trail surface

58% dirt32% gravel10% 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 8:52 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