Trail Conditions: Trails are cleared 5/25/23
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Length : 3.6 Mile Loop
Elevation Stats: Elevation gain 302′. Altitude ranges from 7769′ to 8071′
Trailhead Facilities: Large parking lot suitable for all vehicle types and horse trailers.
Allowances: Open to hiking, biking and foot traffic. No motorized vehicles. Winter groomed for skate /XC skiing and snowshoeing by Pagosa Ranger District when suitable snow conditions exist. Dogs on leashes ok.
Description: Coyote Hill is an easy, low elevation loop trail with nice views of the San Juan Mountains and Pagosa Peak. Easily accessible from paved, Piedra Rd. the trail can be done clockwise or counterclockwise from the junction of the loop intersection located at approximately 0.17 miles from the trailhead. A very moderate gain of 300 ft. takes you through open meadows and Ponderosa pine forest. Nice wildflowers are present from spring through summer. In the winter the Pagosa Ranger District grooms approximately 5 miles of trails on and around the main loop trail for XC skiing and snowshoeing, as snow conditions permit. You can hike the entire loop or turn around at any point to make the hike as short as you like.
Directions: Drive North on Piedra Rd. (CR600/FS 631) from Highway 160 6.5 miles to trailhead on east side of the road and just past the cattle guard where road turns from pavement to gravel.
5/8 did the loop counter clockwise and trail is about 50% mud and 50% dry
However the steep ascent with the mini-switchbacks up to the “top” with the best view of the peaks was completely dry.