Nothing can inspire you to check out a trail you aren’t familiar with more than the rousing testimonials of other hikers. When it comes to Pollock Bench Trail, these sentiments include: “Pollock Bench Trail does not disappoint;” “A beautiful day hike with unparalleled views and, in springtime, a refreshing start to summer;” “A Western Slope gem;” and “Views along the canyon are pure scenic eye candy!”

Now that you’re hooked, let’s dive in. Pollock Bench Trail is a moderate 7-mileround-trip hike near Fruita in the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness, McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area. From the parking lot, the trail winds uphill on a rough, old jeep road following the natural slope of the land. Along the climb, the rim of Flume Canyon emerges, fueling you with sights of impressive wind and water shaped red rock cliffs.

This part of the trail is by far the most challenging as you traverse up and down occasional and inconsistent sets of rocky steps. Compared to Mt. Garfield Trail, which gains 1,000 feet of elevation for each of its miles, the Pollock Bench Loop gains about 350 feet of elevation foreach mile. The average grade for the trail is 8%.

At 1.6 miles, you reach not only the mesa top but a fork in the trail where the loop begins. This descriptive version of the trail hangs a left, continuing in a clockwise manner (the preferred direction for a gradual decline along the oh-so-amazing section along Pollock Canyon). From the beginning of this loop, the trail continues at an easy pace through a mix of juniper and piñon trees, various bushes, grasses and high desert, spring wildflowers.

The trail crosses over the top of the mesa, becoming narrower until you eventually reach another junction at just under the 3-mile point. Here, you are rewarded with breathtaking views of sculptured canyon walls and spires. Stay to the right, and follow the singletrack, which drops down to the bench along the Pollock Canyon rim on a slight downhill pitch for the next 2 miles.

Be sure to stop at one of the countless ledge overlooks along this stretch to slow down, sit down, have a snack or lunch and just take in the vast landscape before you. The trail is a safe distance from the cliff edge for the majority of this 2-mile section. There are a few spots, however, where you will want to keep an eye on small children, where the extra exposure makes the trail seem much narrower.

At the 4.7 mile point, the horse route breaks off on the right. Continue straight along the rim another 0.3 miles, where the Pollock Bench Trail leads you up to the right for a short scramble back to the mesa top. At this point, look to the west, and you will see several homes built into red rock outcroppings in the distance.

The single track now passes through a grassy prairie and cacti and, in no time, reconnects where the loop began. Take a left, and it’s all downhill back to the trailhead.

Dogs and horses are welcome. The parking lot includes a restroom, plenty of car parking and long slots for horse trailers. While Pollock Bench Trail does see a fair amount of use, nearby Devils Canyon Trail system is extremely busier in comparison.

DIRECTIONS

Take I-70 west to the Fruita exit, and head south toward the Colorado National Monument west entrance.
Cross the Colorado River, and turn right on Kingsview Road.
The road is paved through a small neighborhood and soon turns to a good dirt road.
You will pass an entrance sign for McInnis Canyons NCA, and the trailhead is at the end of this road, roughly 3 miles from the sign.

NOTE: There is no shade on this trail. Please take plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat to keep safe from sun exposure.

Originally published in the Spring 2023 issue of Spoke+Blossom.

Take A Hike: Grand Junction Pollock Bench Trail

DIRECTIONS