Colorado · National Monument trail

Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 6

in Colorado

The Uinta Mountains, a spur of the Rocky Mountains, were formed by compression of the Earth’s crust. Once level layers, they then buckled upward into a broad arch. The range is highest in north-central Utah and gradually flattens out east of here.

This uplifting probably began about the time the dinosaurs went extinct, and most likely continued a little at a time over millions of years. Even as the land rose, it was being worn down by erosion. Many of the younger rock layers have been stripped off to reveal these ancient rocks that were once at the very core of the mountains.

States: Colorado
Trail type: National Monument trail
Centroid nearest city: Salt Lake City, UT · 157 mi · ~5 hr drive
Centroid coords: 40.7220°, -108.8891°

About Dinosaur National Monument

National Monument

This trail is inside Dinosaur National Monument, a national monument managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Conditions, road status, trail closures, and reservation requirements are published on the park's NPS page — check it before driving in, especially in winter or during major weather events.

Entrance fee: $25 per vehicle (verify current rate on the park page). An America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all NPS units.

Official NPS trail page: https://www.nps.gov/places/gates-of-lodore-trail-stop-6.htm

Park homepage: https://www.nps.gov/dino/index.htm

Plan your hike

Practical notes

Maps + permits: long-distance trails like this often require permits for through-hiking, backcountry camping, or specific sections (especially in National Parks). Check with the maintaining organisation listed above and the relevant land manager before booking travel.

Water + supplies: water sources vary seasonally on most U.S. trails. Carry a filter and consult current trail-condition reports — through-hiker journals (PCT-L, AT Reddit, etc.) and the maintaining organisation publish regular updates.

When to go: hiking seasons vary widely with elevation, latitude, and snowpack. Through-hikers traditionally start the AT in March-April (Springer northbound) and the PCT in late April (Campo northbound). High-elevation western trails (CDT, JMT, Wonderland) generally aren't passable until July.

If you've hiked Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 6 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.