Kezar Loop Road is an easy, high-clearance-friendly loop north of Blue Mesa Reservoir in the Gunnison National Forest. The route winds through open sagebrush hillsides and stands of aspen and pine, climbing steadily along a well-graded dirt and rock surface before dropping back down toward the starting point. It is a good option for a half-day drive with wide views of the Gunnison Basin and surrounding mountains.
Trail Summary
- Location: Gunnison National Forest, north of Blue Mesa Reservoir, Gunnison County, Colorado
- Distance: 23.7 miles
- Difficulty: Level 1 - Suitable for high clearance 2WD
- Minimum Elevation: 7,604 ft
- Maximum Elevation: 9,011 ft
- Elevation Gain: 4,395 ft
- Travel Time: 2 hours 49 minutes (recorded)
Difficulty
Suitable for high clearance 2WD
Stock equipment is sufficient and no special equipment is needed. The road is dirt and rocky with occasional dips and ruts under 5 inches. Grades are slight to moderate with good traction in dry conditions. The road is generally two vehicles wide, though care should be taken after rain, when sections can turn slick and muddy.
Elevation
The loop starts at about 8,025 feet and climbs through a series of long, rolling grades to a high point near 9,011 feet before working back down to a low point of 7,604 feet along the return leg. Total climbing over the route adds up to roughly 4,395 feet, with about 3,439 feet of descent, for a net gain of around 956 feet from start to finish. None of the climbs are sharp or technical, but the cumulative elevation change makes this a longer, more sustained drive than the mileage alone suggests.
Terrain
Expect mountain shelf roads and rocky two-track for most of the route. The surface alternates between packed dirt, embedded rock, and occasional loose gravel on the steeper pitches. Sagebrush flats give way to aspen and conifer stands as the road gains elevation, then open back up on the descent with long views across the basin.
4WD Experience
A stock high-clearance 4WD will handle this route without difficulty in dry conditions. Low range is not needed. The main considerations are the length of the loop and the condition of the surface after storms, since the road is known to get soft and slick when wet. Standard all-terrain tires are adequate. This is a good beginner or scouting run, or a relaxed scenic drive for a group with mixed vehicle capability.
Travel Time
The recorded track shows a total elapsed time of 2 hours 49 minutes, including stops. For a high-clearance 4WD vehicle driving at a comfortable, unhurried pace with a few photo stops, plan on roughly 2.5 to 3 hours to complete the full loop. Drivers who keep moving with minimal stopping could complete it closer to 2 hours.
Highlights
The route offers sweeping views over the Gunnison Basin and the country surrounding Blue Mesa Reservoir, with a mix of sagebrush meadow and aspen forest along the way. Elk and mule deer are commonly seen in this part of the Gunnison National Forest. The elevated sections of the loop provide good vantage points for photos, and the drive makes a solid warm-up or scenic add-on to a day exploring the Blue Mesa area.
Trail GPS File
Map