Chukar Geologic Trail

Chukar Geologic Trail is a 1.5-mile out-and-back from its own pull-off on Chukar Road to a ridge above the Gunnison Gorge. BLM lists 0.75 mile each way and 445 feet of climbing; allow about 90 minutes. This is a short geology-and-view hike, not the separate Chukar Trail descent to the river.

The faint tread leaves the pull-off to the southeast, stays on the right side of a shallow draw, then crosses at its shallow end before climbing an old jeep road. The route is unmarked, so follow that road uphill to the ridge view and retrace it. If you need a clearly signed path, pick another hike.

Red, yellow and black agate lie across parts of the hillside, with chert along much of the climb. At the ridge, the Black Canyon walls look higher and more vertical, with Green Mountain across the gorge. For a photo, include some of the pale foreground slope with the dark ravine; a tight crop of the cliffs loses the canyon's depth.

Use the Geologic gravel pull-off just before the main Chukar recreation site; the two access points serve different routes. The approach roads are primitive and can be impassable when wet, so high-clearance four-wheel drive is strongly recommended. BLM requires a self-issued wilderness permit and trailhead sign-in for designated wilderness; the permit station is at the main Chukar site, not the Geologic pull-off. The route enters Black Canyon Wilderness, where pets are prohibited.