6.1 mile
round trip, rating is moderate, hiking time about 4.5 hours total,
trailhead is marked. Elevations from 8680 feet to 9400 feet, spring
through fall, moderate to heavy use as trail is popular.
TRAIL
ACCESS
Take State
Route 156 south to where it ends in the upper parking lot of Lee
Canyon Ski Area. The trail is located to the left, at the end
of the parking lot.
TRAIL
DESCRIPTION
Bristlecone
Loop Trail is the only trail located outside the wilderness area,
making it accessible to mountain bikes. It offers scenic views
of Lee Canyon Ski Area, Mummy Mountain, and serene Aspen groves.
The beginning
of the trail winds through a picturesque forest abundant with
White Fir and large Quaking Aspen. Almost a mile up is a short
path to the right leading to Gary Abbot Campground.
Climbing
out of the canyon, the vegetation becomes more sparse as the trail
reaches a stand of Bristlecone
Pine.
After traveling
a little over two miles on a foot trail, the trail follows an
abandoned road. A short distance further, in an area resembling
a parking lot, is the junction with Bonanza Trail.
The trail
then descends into a canyon, passing a small grove of Aspen before
eventually leading to a dirt parking lot. The parking area is
accessed by a dirt road located 100' north of the McWilliams Campground
entrance on State Route 156. Walk south up State Route 156 to
return to the upper parking lot of the ski area.
TRAIL
RULES
*Be Considerate.
* Do not
litter. Leave trail in the same condition you found it or better.
*Stay on
designated trail. Short cutting switchbacks causes erosion, makes
ugly scars, and destroys the existing trail.
* Do not
deface trees or trail signs.
* Bury human
waste at least 200' away from the trail and at least 6 inches
deep.
CAMPING
*Camp at
least 200ft away from trails or water sources.
FIRE
RULES
* Fire and
smoking restrictions are put into effect during times of high
fire danger, in the summer. Watch for signs. Generally during
the summer months
fires
are prohibited
except in camp
ground and picnic areas and only in fire rings.
* Please
use existing fire rings whenever possible and be sure to completely
extinguish all fires before leaving.
WATER
* Take drinking
water with you.
* Before
drinking all spring water, it should be boiled to destroy harmful
micro-organisms.
MECHANIZED
VEHICLES & HORSES
* Bicycles are allowed on
this trail. Motorized vehicles are prohibited.
