Kannah Creek Trail

Kannah Creek Trail (#706) is a rugged long-distance hike in Grand Mesa National Forest near Grand Junction, Colorado. The route is built as a long downhill shot from near the rim down toward the Kannah Creek City Intake area, with the big elevation drop making it commonly done as an out-and-back or as a logistics-heavy shuttle plan.

Typical lengths you’ll see range from about 8.6 miles one-way to about 17.3 miles out-and-back. Elevation change is roughly 4,100+ feet, so even if you’re only committing to the one-way portion, you’re still dealing with steep tread and a long, committed return.

The upper access is from Carson Lake (via Lands End Road off Highway 65), with the lower terminus at the Kannah Creek City Intake on Kannah Creek Road. Starting above the rim puts you around ~10,000 ft early in the hike, while the lower end drops to around ~6,000 ft.

Trail character is technical and remote for a long-distance hiking route: expect rocky sections and fallen trees, plus multiple stream crossings while you follow the Kannah Creek drainage for a long stretch. The trail is described as a long, downhill line, and it can get dry and hot in the lower elevations.

Water is generally available because you’re paralleling Kannah Creek, but runoff is heaviest in spring. In summer, the lower sections can become extremely hot, so plan timing if you’re doing a one-way or a fast turnaround.

Terrain details you may encounter include stream crossings such as Sheep Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Service Creek, and both East Two Creek and West Two Creek (along the Kannah Creek alignment). Camping opportunities are mentioned around the upper-middle portion near open flat areas, and there are notes about serviceberries along the descent.

Because of the massive elevation change, many hikers either shuttle or run the hike as multi-day backpacking, often in combination with nearby trail options in the Kannah Creek Basin.

More information: Kannah Creek - gjhikes.com, Kannah Creek Trail - A Lengthy Hike up to Carson Lake, Kannah Creek | Grand Junction, CO