Coyote Wash to Pinyon Mesa — Gunnison Country High Bench via Transfer Road
Forgotten mesa top between two canyon systems.
Transfer Road doesn’t get talked about the way the Alpine Loop does, and that’s exactly why it’s worth doing. The route climbs out of the Gunnison River valley east of Delta, punching through pinyon-juniper on an unmaintained two-track before reaching the open bench of Pinyon Mesa — a broad, 7,000-foot plateau where you can see the Uncompahgre Plateau rolling west and the San Juan snowfields stacking up south. From the mesa top, the track works north through isolated BLM ground before connecting to Grand Mesa National Forest roads near Collbran, making this a proper connector between two canyon country systems. The bench surface is mix of clay, loose shale, and embedded sandstone — deceptively rough after any precipitation.
Moderate in dry conditions, Difficult when wet — this is the important caveat. Clay-heavy BLM terrain in this part of Colorado turns into a grease trap after rain or snowmelt, and there are no bailout options in the middle. High-clearance 4WD is the minimum; a locker or two helps when the shale gets slick. No permits required, no fees. Best window is late June through September. Water is absent; plan accordingly. Cell service disappears off the valley floor. Grand Junction BLM manages the lower reaches, Grand Mesa National Forest handles the north end — check road conditions with both before you go.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 41 mi / 66 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7400 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Delta, Colorado |
| Land manager | BLM Grand Junction Field Office / Grand Mesa National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Grand Junction Field Office Grand Mesa Uncompahgre Gunnison NF |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner handle this trail without modifications?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Wrangler or 4Runner will get through, but you want at least 8-9 inches of clearance for the rocky sections and shelf road portions along the transfer route. Lifted rigs are more comfortable; a bone-stock crossover SUV has no business here.
When does the trail typically open in spring and is it passable through fall?
June through September is the reliable window — snow and mud close the upper mesa sections well into May most years. By October, early storms can roll in fast at elevation and turn the dirt surface into a greasy mess that'll stop even capable rigs.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp on it?
No permit required for the BLM sections under the Grand Junction Field Office, and dispersed camping is free with a 14-day stay limit. If your route dips into Grand Mesa Uncompahgre Gunnison National Forest, standard forest rules apply — no fees, but follow Leave No Trace and fire restriction orders, which change seasonally.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what makes it technical?
The transfer road connecting the canyon systems has the roughest shelf road and rockiest climbs — loose rock, embedded ledges, and off-camber exposure with limited room to recover if you get it wrong. It's not extreme, but it punishes inattention and under-inflated tires.
Where do I get water and fuel before heading out — is 41 miles enough to worry about range?
Tank up and load water in Delta before you leave — there is zero cell service on the entire route and water sources on the mesa are not reliable enough to count on without treating. Delta has fuel; once you turn off pavement, you're on your own for the full 41 miles.
Trail track
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