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All roads lead to Jura

There are many paths to Jura Knob, an island in a sea of boundless tundra with a large-caliber vantage point.

While our loop begins on the Coal Creek Trail and returns on the Pass Creek Trail, the hike works equally well in the opposite direction.

From mile marker 58, walk downhill on U.S. 550 for 0.1 mile. Cross the road and find the lopsided sign for the Coal Creek Trailhead at 10,200 feet. The thin track, scraped into a steep slope suspended above the two-lane, rises steadily. Soon, the path is swallowed by a subalpine fir forest, and the road is forgotten. Loopy switchbacks are lined with limestone. Heavy timber gives way to sporadic trees at 11,200 feet, 2.0 miles. It is as smooth and easy as any 1,000-foot gain can be.

Engineer Mountain rises suddenly and remains a dominate presence for the duration. Columnar shafts snatch light. Luminescence shifts continuously, captivating the observer.

At 2.2 miles, the once-substantial Coal Creek Trail multi-threads and disappears, overtaken by boisterous corn husk lily. Turn right and go due north. Ascend for a mere 0.15 mile and you will find the trail once again on an easterly ridge at the saddle west of Point (11,662 feet).

Upon locating the trail, turn left/west. Reach the signed junction with the Deer Creek Trail at 2.6 miles. This charming spot marks the end of the Coal Creek Trail.

Proceed west on the Deer Creek Trail for only a few paces. Leave the trail and climb right/north up a short, grassy pitch to meet the south ridge of Jura Knob at 12,000 feet. The ridge is a broad, wide-open expanse. Follow it to the false summit. Walking is pleasant through a grassy landscape with almost no rock underfoot.

Cross a band of whimsical white sandstone. Once past the false summit, Jura Knob is seen for the first time. The summit structure presents as a cliff extruding from a red band. The crest is a thin layer of grey rock.

John Bregar, geologist, comments on Jura’s rock formation: “The cliff band that is the crux of climbing Jura Knob is within the Cutler Formation. Though most of the Cutler consists of red alluvial sediment washed down from the Uncompahgre Mountains, there is much variability in that sediment – some layers relatively find-grained and soft, other layers coarse sand and gravel. Often, the coarser sediments are more resistant to erosion and form cliffs, while the softer sediments erode more easily to form the overlying and underlying slopes. But it is all Cutler. There can even be an occasional limey bed within the Cutler, probably representing a temporary lake deposit. The very summit of Jura Knob is made up of some of those limey deposits.”

The ridge narrows before the crux. Snow lingers late and accumulates early. Upon reaching the red layer, stay on the ridgetop until you are forced to leave. Climb the crumbly material on the right. There is mild exposure.

The crux is a single, seven-foot hoist up the “Corner Wall.” It is located on the right/east side of the prominence. This is the easiest attack point. Some people may need a boost because, while handholds are good, footholds are stingy. The pitch is too much for dogs. If the crux is beyond your skill level or nerve, no worries. You won’t be the first to turn around here. The hike is worthy regardless of whether you make the actual peak.

Next is a short and delightful block scramble followed by a soft ridge-walk to the summit at 4.2 miles.

The crest is roomy, and even though Jura Knob is not the tallest mountain around, its singular location affords a sweeping vista of loftier peaks. Engineer Mountain is such an attention grabber. Ignore it for a moment and spin north to find Rolling Mountain and Twin Sisters framing Vermilion Peak (13,894 feet), guardian of the Ice Lake Basin. The terrain drops surprisingly softly from Jura’s summit on the north to meet the Colorado Trail. Now imagine U.S. 550 to the east. Beyond it lies the Weminuche Wilderness, cluttered with its quirky and preposterous peaks.

Returning, scramble down Corner Wall facing the rock. Shorter people may need a spot.

Descend the south ridge as you came. Approaching the southern end, avoid any temptation to drop off to the right. Instead, make for the 12,000-foot knoll. There you will see the Deer Creek Trail 100 feet below at 5.8 miles. Go right/west and, at 6.2 miles, come to a junction with the Engineer Mountain Trail. Turn left/south. Cross more green loveliness and enter a rich stand of conifers. The trail climbs lazily until it meets the Pass Creek Trail at a four-way junction at 7.2 miles (11,720 feet).

Here, on the lower folds of Engineer Mountain, our route turns left/east. The “Bus Stop” is a few paces down the Pass Creek Trail. Rest on the massive fallen conifer. From here, the trailhead is 2.4 miles down a well-engineered, ultra-popular trail for hikers and bikers.

As you descend the trail, watch to your left for a final view of Jura Knob. The groomed, dirt path is guarded by old fir and spruce trees. At 8.3 miles, find a spur that hooks right and goes to a brook where queen’s crown thrives. Pass a perfectly round pond at 8.6 miles. The pleasant grade is accomplished by sinuous switchbacks. Just before reaching the highway, in mid-summer, the trail is engulfed by some of the best wildflowers in Colorado.

Reach the Pass Creek Trailhead at 9.7 miles. If you must walk down the highway to the Coal Creek Trailhead at 11.0 miles, this will be the most dangerous segment of your hike, so take care.

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Trail basics

All but 3.5 miles are on gentle-grade trails. The short scramble at the summit block turns the humble prominence into a real mountain. Jura Knob is an oft-repeated, four-season trek for locals. The route features incomparable views of Engineer Mountain, Jura’s southern neighbor.

Travel: From Durango, drive north on U.S. 550 for 35 miles to Coal Bank Pass. Continue for one mile to mile marker 58. Park on the right side of the highway at a generous turn-out. Allow 45 minutes from Durango.

Distance and Elevation Gain: 9.7 miles to the Pass Creek trailhead; 11.0 miles if you walk back to your vehicle on U.S. 550; 2,700 feet of climbing.

Time: 5-6 hours.

Difficulty: Trail, off-trail; navigation moderate; One Class 3 pitch with mild exposure.



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