Roubideau Area Trails

Roubideau Area Trails

Roubideau Creek carves a 20-mile canyon from the Uncompahgre Plateau’s gentle crest northeast to the Gunnison River, slicing through life zones ranging from Hudsonian to Upper Sonoran and creating a remote canyon wilderness unequaled in Colorado. The area currently protected from development includes the upper 13 miles of the creek on national forest lands; another 7 miles downstream remains equally wild and has been identified by the BLM for wilderness consideration as the Camel Back Wilderness Study Area. Roubideau’s rugged nature precludes hikes along the creek for all but the most determined bushwhackers. Fortunately, trails dissect the canyon at its upper, middle, and lower segments, so all parts can be easily explored. At its upper, or southern, end several tributaries gather to create Roubideau Creek. Pool Creek begins as a tiny trickle at the very crest of the plateau’s divide and gains volume as it courses through green, cool aspen forests with luxuriant undergrowth. On northern exposures, aspen give way to dark forests of Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. Farther downstream, trails drop from the canyon rim to benches of Gambel oak and giant ponderosa pines. The inner canyon cuts a narrower defile between these benches and provides a suitable environment for Douglas fir, cottonwoods, and a lush riparian forest. These remote woodlands offer sanctuary for many species, and over the years the Colorado Division of Wildlife has conducted studies on mountain lion and black bear populations across the Uncompahgre Plateau. This trail guide includes descriptions of Transfer Trail/Coal Bank Trail, Traver Trail, Terrible Creek/Coal Bank Trail, and Pool Creek.

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