Yampa Valley Trail: The Hike

Cloudy and warm afternoon with a slight breeze, some sun peeking through the clouds to warm up…not much to be honest, the winds were cold as I walked along the top of Duffy Mountain. Storms were coming and here I am walking 11 miles with some kind of sinus infection in…damn.

Something also caught my attention as I walked at a pace of 3 miles per hour, there is no place to pitch a tent here because the ground is too hard and there are brush and small trees everywhere. Hmm…

It looks like the best camp is down by the river and maybe beyond the next footpath.

When storms hit here in the spring, the roads can become very muddy, what old-timers describe as gumbo. Impossible to get there by car, much less walk. I’ve hiked here enough to know that it’s best to wait until the roads, trails, and trails are dry.

There is no need to rush this first segment of the trail, just relax for the moment.

Going unnoticed as a spring storm passes

A couple of storms came through so I figured why not take a day off since I also have a sinus infection. I headed out again two days later and started walking to the first decent camping area.

I couldn’t get rid of this cold or sinus infection…allergies? I got home, cleaned up, and rested a little while another storm passed through the area where I was hiking.

The roads become so neglected that it is impossible to walk on them. It wasn’t worth the risk.

Juniper Hot Springs to Juniper Mountain

Having driven this county road many, many times in the past just to log miles, it seems easy to get bored. That boredom disappeared when I came across a rattlesnake sunning itself right in my path, 20 feet ahead. However, it looks like a decent day for sunbathing as the temperature is around 70 degrees.

A kilometer later, a truck stopped next to me. Just playing some songs while walking towards the entrance of Juniper Mountain. An older man who lived in the area asked me what I was training for, among other topics of conversation. I said, «This is it. It’s not training.» We talked for a good 5 minutes and he told me all about his ranch and its 2000 acres that welcome visitors from all over the world. He told me that they come to watch the Canada geese as they pass through the area. I love having an older rancher stop by and let me take a quick breather before ascending Juniper.

taking a moment

At the gate of Juniper Mountain, I had to pause and reflect for a minute. Thinking about all the miles I’ve traveled here over the years has finally led me to something. Just crossing that mountain to see beyond the trail is all the motivation I needed to keep going. The sinus infection didn’t stop me. Bad weather, no. Questioning whether or not I have the heart or desire to see this trail again, in a new way. Yes, I’m going to move on.

Actually, it’s not a long road. But after you’ve seen most of it, it leaves some excitement and motivation behind. Unfortunately, I continued knowing that everything will get better. The sunsets too. I need to see more of those desert sunsets.

nothing to see here

Although it is not very long in distance, it is long enough to have some difficult areas. After Juniper Mountain is Thornberg Draw. It’s really just desert, not much to see besides some random cows and a dead coyote or two. Boredom is the obstacle in this 40 kilometer stretch. And snakes too.

From there you can see Cross Mountain and the Yampa River. That will keep me in Thornberg.

Cross Mountain is probably my favorite section after so many hikes last fall. The terrain can be difficult in places, with rocks scattered and protruding from the trail, but it is absolutely beautiful. Juniper and cedar trees dot the landscape with red rocks on the canyon walls while the Yampa River flows as a backdrop.

The weather has been great the last few days with temperatures around 70 degrees during the day and 30 degrees at night.

However, I really want to move on to the next section before it gets too hot.

Juniper Mountain and beyond

After not having hiked much trail yet, about 23 miles, I have already reached the highest point of the trail at about 7,800 feet. Camping and hiking gets easier from here, although a little boring on the 25-mile desert stretch of Thornberg Draw.

There is only one campsite on the west side of Juniper Mountain, then it is a walk to the small town of Maybell, Colorado. So, I set out to enjoy the last 7 miles of the Juniper Mountain section. An easy day with 7 miles, a great sunset to look forward to, and hopefully a friend who will be willing to try to stop by. We’ll see.

The best part of this section of the trail is the sunsets after passing Juniper Mountain. Sure, they’re not mountains with rivers, pine trees, and stunning views, but the sunsets are pretty incredible.

Temperatures are starting to climb into the 80s. The desert stretch ahead could be easier if it cools down a bit.

That’s all for now, time to hit the road again.

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any products or services you purchase using links in articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price they would otherwise pay, and their purchase helps support The Trek’s ongoing goal of bringing you quality backpacking information and advice. Thank you for your support!

For more information, visit the About page of this site.