It's always sunny in Grand Junction. Well, nearly. According to the National Weather Service, we see about 254 days of sun per year. Around here – especially in the summer – partly cloudy means a great day.

By way of contrast, the Grand Mesa, just to the east of the valley, reaches an elevation of about 10,800 feet. It gets tons of sun, too, but it's a heck of a lot cooler in the summertime than it is down here in the valley. It's that elevation thing!

With that in mind, Lake of the Woods Trail on the Grand Mesa is a great destination, and less than an hour from town.

Most people who enjoy this trail seem to be anglers in waders, heading to Bull Creek and Bull Basin reservoirs. Special fishing regulations apply to some of these lakes, so if you fish, make sure you know the rules.

Lake of the Woods Trail leads to Bull Creek, which flows from the outlets of Bull Creek reservoirs #1 and #2 and through reservoir #5. The upper mile of this stream is easily fished, and it has several good pools. However, downstream the majority of Bull Creek is steep and brushy, and much of the stream has poor accessibility.

Bull Creek reservoirs #1 and #2 and the connecting channels require fishing by artificial flies and lures only, and a bag, possession and size limit for trout of two fish 16 inches or longer. So if you're a hiking angler, keep that in mind. It doesn't make any difference if you're just here for the hike, which is well worth it all by itself.

The trail is open to hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. The area is closed to motorized traffic. Lake of the Woods Trail flows in, out and around a lush forest with meadows of thick, tall grass and wildflowers, patches of low-growing Oregon grape, and dense stands of Aspen, Douglas fir and Englemann spruce. It bobs up, down, over and around small intermittent streams and across a twisting and rocky terrain that includes splendid glimpses of the Craig Crest.

To reach the Lake of the Woods Trailhead (Forest Service Trail #506), travel east from Grand Junction on Interstate 70 for 20 miles to the Grand Mesa/Powderhorn exit (Exit 49). That's Colorado Highway 65, a National Scenic and Historic Byway. It travels over the top of the Grand Mesa.  

Go through the town of Mesa past Powderhorn Ski Area and head into the forest. About two miles past the Mesa Lakes Resort area, on the last long curve before heading up the final stretch to the top of the Grand Mesa, you'll come to Mile Marker 38. Beyond the mile marker is a long cabled guard rail. Just past the cabled guard rail, turn left on graveled Forest Road 250. (Before your navigator has a fit, this Forest Service Road is not marked.) Travel four-tenths of a mile to a parking area large enough for horse trailers at the end of the road.

You'll be happy you made this trip. It's way cool in the forest right now!