Bangs Canyon Trailhead (Mica Mine)

We did the Windmill Loop. 1-19-2026 Entered at Third Flats Trailhead parking lot finish at Bangs Canyon Trailhead parking lot. This trail can be ran by entering either one of these lots to make your loop of this trail. Restrooms at both locations. Large parking lots, easy to get around if you have any size trailer. Great little moderate difficulty trail. Green to Blue if your aware of the trail color rating. No Black Dimond or Red sections. One rig was a stock tires, no lift 2023 Jeep Gladiator. This trail was a bit to rough for his STOCK Jeep as he drug bottom a lot. I have a 08 Jeep Wrangler Sierra, 3" lift - 34" tires which was adequate for some of the more small-ish boulder rock & ledge drop off section. Great views of the surrounding valley area. One section had access to the Gunnison river if you want to take a dip in the summer time. Several sections can be a bit tough & challenging if Wet n Muddy or have Ice and Packed Snow on them. The stock Jeep Gladiator owner was not a "Glad A Ator" after completing this trip and wished he would have brought his buggy. 👋 See You Out There! 👍

A very easy and visual hike. Good for kids and simple in and back hike. Lots of scenery and different terrain. This is not a very difficult hike, it does have some bigger steps to take over terrain. Definitely worth checking out.

Beautiful little trail, not busy. Dogs could run and play as we have wireless collars for them. Fun hike w some cool rocks in the dry river beds. Then the mica mine at the end was really cool too.

I have hiked this trail several times and it truly is a treasure! This is a hike I take visitors from out of town. It's a mild hike about 2.5m total. We went end of May and enjoyed several varieties of flowers, enjoyed the canyon and open desert and towards the end you get to enjoy quartz and mica rocks so a great hike if you are a rock person. The old mine at the end is a great way to end and explore!

Couldn’t recommend this trail enough! Stunning views and good variety on the trail. Marked as “easy” but definitely could cause some challenges for older folks or folks w injuries with sections with a bit of a drop, and lots of uneven walking surfaces for the majority of the trail. DID I MENTION STUNNING VIEWS? Quartz everywhere. Mica sparkles throughout look like glitter in the ground. Sept is a great month to hike here. The earlier in the day your hike is half shaded by the canyon!