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Stoneflies

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Blue Winged Olives (BWO)

Pale Morning Duns (PMD)

Red Quills

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Caddis

• Elevation drop:Features a 560 foot descent from the 5,960 ft. elevation trailhead.
• Trail Mileage: 1.1 Miles of a fairly easy livestock-friendly trail.
• Description: The Chukar trail head is reached by an arduous 7-mile dirt road, accessed from Peach Valley Road, via Falcon road after leaving Hwy 50 just south of the one and only traffic signal in Olathe. NOTE: Avoid this road during and immediately following heavy rain or wet snowfall. It's a long walk out! Once you park in the day use parking area and register, head down the trail a mile or so to the river. The trail has a series of step downs, some of rock and some of timbers in some of the steeper areas. This trail gets pounded by anglers, hikers and livestock, and is pretty dusty most of the time, with road apples as a common trail feature (from stock that haul in the rafts and gear for float trips). Chukar Trail is the "Put-In" for the entire commercial fleet, and the bulk of the private boat and kayak trips that navigate the canyon.
• Time: Guides in Chaco Sandals may fly down the trail in minutes, but mere mortals should allow 20-30 minutes down and 30-60 minutes coming out. As with all the trails, common sense suggests hydrating well at the river and on the way up. I strongly recommend that you have some Gatorade, or at least a jug of water waiting for you in your truck, SUV, or in shade outside of your vehicle. There is no water at any of the trailheads! Also avoid coming out in the heat of the day if possible to keep from overheating.
• Fishing Opportunities: This whole area is great Browns. Stoneflies, PMDs & Yellow Sally hatches are excellent in this area in mid to late June. Typically Browns love the rocky edges and undercuts, and Rainbows prefer the more aerated water, but during the hatch trout can hang out along the edges and walls waiting for floating female Stoneflies. This area is jumping with day hiking anglers and boaters during the Stonefly Hatch. Camping is pretty limited down in the gorge and fills quickly. **

• Elevation drop: A 800 foot descent from the 6,100 ft. elevation trailhead.
• Trail Mileage: 1.5 Miles
• Description: This trail is a good trail, but moderately difficult, due to the last half mile and the tricky rocky descent at the bottom that makes use of all your appendages, and maybe your butt too. There has been a vintage rope in place that can provide some assistance. Use at your own risk. Think twice before bringing small kids down this trail.
• Time: Allow 30 to 60 minutes to get down to the river, and probably an hour or more coming back up. As with all of these trails, common sense suggests hydrating well at the river and on the way up. I strongly recommend that you have some Gatorade, or at least water waiting for you in your truck, or in shade outside of your vehicle. There is no water at any of the trailheads! Also avoid coming out in the heat of the day if possible to keep from overheating.
• Fishing & camping opportunities: Immediately upstream of the trail is Bobcat Rapid. While this can be crossed at certain flows, you know your own limits**. Most anglers head downstream towards the Duncan Trail. There is plenty of water in this area, with plenty of structure for Browns and Bows. Prime Stonefly water as well. There are two hiker camps in this section, the rest are for boaters. Check the river maps.

• Elevation drop: A 840-foot descent from the 6,160 ft. elevation trailhead.
• Trail Mileage: 1.5 Miles
• Description: Moderately Difficult, mostly the last half mile. This is my personal favorite. After you register, take the trail to the old road until the trail eventually hooks left. This next section is one I call the "Super Highway", as it parallels the canyon, and you can cruise down this trail as it passes through the Pinion and Juniper trees. (This section is also a welcome stretch of trail on the way out, as you get your legs and lungs back!). The trail changes color and darkens and the pebbles make for interesting footing. Once you roll through the gully and top out on the overlook, the work begins. Pick your way down the trail through the talus and scree, until you hit the old mine shaft. While the trail appears to drop off on the right, hug the slope and STAY LEFT(unless you've been this way before- you'll understand) By staying left and hugging the wall you'll find the correct trail and it will take you up to a "Vista Point", giving you a beautiful view up river towards Bobcat Trail, and downstream, towards Buttermilk Rapid. Stay left as you descend the rest of the way. There are multiple ways down however, some more hazardous than others. For a fun variation on the way out, climb up the gully all the way up to a void the plod up the talus and scree section.
• Time: You can cook down this trail in 25 minutes or less if you hustle, but a more sedate pace of 35-45 minutes and 45-70 minutes coming out. As with all of the trails, common sense suggests hydrating well at the river and on the way up. I strongly recommend that you have some Gatorade, or at least water waiting for you in your truck, or in shade outside of your vehicle. There is no water at any of the trailheads! Also avoid coming out in the heat of the day if possible to keep from overheating.
• Fishing Opportunities: Lots of fishing for Browns and Rainbows from this trailhead. Prime Stonefly waters in June, with lots of riffles and runs, especially in the Ute Park area. There is some nice water heading up to Bobcat as well. **You can also access Ute Park from this trailhead either by crossing downstream of the trail at the gravel bar by the Big Rock on river left. Not a good idea above flows of 800 or more! Cross at your own risk. OR, a second choice to get into Ute Park exists and is a difficult "up and over" high altitude trail that is accessed on river left, by going downstream from the Duncan trail as far as you can go-- to the dead Juniper tree-- at which point the climb "up and over" begins, thus the term. There is exposure on this route, so use extreme caution. There are four hiker camps in the Duncan trail area.

• Elevation drop: A 1,200 ft. descent from a 6,500 ft. elevation trailhead.
• Trail Mileage: 4.5 Miles
• Description: This is an Intermediate or Moderately difficult trail, mostly due to its length. Miles afoot or on horseback at altitude, with loads can add to the difficulty and time in and out of the canyon. While the trail is well graded for livestock, there are a couple of switchbacks that horse rides may feel more comfortable by walking the switchbacks, as livestock can get a little skitterish here. There are 4 Hiker Campsites in Ute Park, and one designated livestock campsite in upper Ute Park, the rest are for floaters and boaters. As with all of the trails, common sense suggests hydrating well at the river and on the way up. I strongly recommend that you have some Gatorade, or at least water waiting for you in your truck, or in shade outside of your vehicle. There is no water at any of the trailheads! Also avoid coming out in the heat of the day if possible to keep from overheating.
• Time: Allow 1.5 to 2 hours down the trail and 2 to 3 hours hiking out.
• Fishing Opportunities: Ute Park offers some of the finest runs and riffles, island holes, deep troughs and wide-open spaces on the river. This stretch is home to hungyy Browns, Rainbows, and the occasional Cut Bow. The aerated rocky water is also home to the Big Stonefly nymphs, and the highly oxygenated waters spawn the hatches the Gunnison River is famous for, while providing the wading angler excellent access to an amazing amount of water without being "walled or cliffed out". There are several points bold anglers can cross at flows up to about 800 CFS. Many float trips camp in the Ute Park region and fishing clients get our and fish this area on foot, spending quality time wade fishing the riffles, runs and pools. Note: This area probably has the highest population of both walk in anglers and camping anglers during the month of June, so don't be surprised to see a crowd in here during hatch periods!