Hiking at Great Mesa National Forest, 6/06/2018

About 20 minutes from Grand Junction is Grand Mesa, the largest flat-top mountain in the world covering 500 square miles! It rises about 6,000’ above the surrounding river valleys to an elevation of over 11,000’. Hard volcanic basalt (formed about 10M years ago) tops the mesa (which has protected it from erosion). There are over 300 lakes on the mesa. 

The Grand Mesa National Forest (346.555 acres) was the third forest reserve established in the US (in 1892). It is bordered by White River National Forest (north) and Gunnison National Forest (east). We drove the Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway (aka Highway 65) to the Visitor Center. A plaque in front of it commemorates the first 100 years of the forest reserve.

Native Americans (Ute tribe) lived in this area for centuries. They raised crops in the valleys and hunted wildlife in the lush forests of the mesa. Settlers arrived in the 1880s, and they, too, pursued agricultural and livestock industries. Today local ranchers continue to move their herds of cattle to Grand Mesa National Forest in the spring for grazing until early fall (permits issued by National Forest Service).

We picked up a brochure with maps the Grand Mesa National Forest and of hiking trails in the Mesa Lakes Recreation Area.

We decided to explore the Ward Lake Hiking Trails. After a short drive from the Visitor Center, we parked in the lot near Ward Lake.

After the Ward Lake Trail, we continued on the Baron Lake Trail to Alexander Lake.

Our doggie, Sadie, had a great time checking out the stream between Ward and Alexander Lakes. If you like to hike with your dog (as we do), National Forests are the perfect place to do so. 

Baron Lake Trail runs along the banks of Alexander Lake and beautiful meadows were on the other side. It was wonderful to be in the cooler temperature at the higher altitude...quite a contrast from the valleys. 

Sadie had a blast swimming in Alexander Lake!

The trail continued through a forested area to Baron Lake. It was well marked with red blazes. 

Continuing on the trail to the far end of Baron Lake, we were amazed at all of the fish we saw in the water. We learned that mature rainbow trout are stocked in the lakes in early summer. 

We retraced our steps on the Baron Lake Trail back to our car at Ward Lake. Driving on the Scenic Highway, we stopped to snap some photos of Island Lake. There were lots of fishing boats on the lake, and we saw that one had landed on the island. 

Beautiful views of the surrounding area could be seen from several overlooks along the scenic drive. 

The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests are managed together. Go to the following site to learn about campgrounds, fishing, hiking and other activities in national forests: www/fs.usda.gov/gmug. We loved the alpine forests and lakes here.