Telephone #657

The Telephone Trail #657 serves as a connecting route between the Divide Road, FSR #402, and the Smith Point Road, FSR #406.  The trail follows the route of an old telephone line right of way. It travels along a fenceline and climbs gradually on a sidehill above La Fair Canyon.  After reaching the crest, it levels out before descending at a steep grade above La Fair Creek.  Old telephone post and poles can be seen along the trail.  It travels below a large sandstone rock outcrop before crossing La Fair Creek in a small clearing and then begins to climb at a steep grade away from the creek and can be difficult to follow as it ascends the hill because of several game trails.  As it reaches the top of the hill it levels out and travels through a small clearing and open aspen and Ponderosa.  The trail enters a large sage park where the Uncompahgre Butte is visible to the southeast through the saddle.  Eventually the trail climbs gradually through mixed aspen, Ponderosa and sage.  It will pass through a gate-fenceline as it begins to descend toward Smith Creek at a moderate grade and is very rocky.  It crosses Smith Creek and follows the drainage.  The trail starts climbing a hillside until it reaches the ridge top and levels out.  It travels through small meadows and open aspen and climbs a small rise, then levels out again as it enters a large sage park.  It then begins to climb at a moderate grade through a meadow where it is well defined.  It continues climbing at a gental grade until it again levels out on top of a low ridge.  It will then pass through a gate-fenceline and descend gradually off the ridge toward a branch of the Big Domiguez Creek and Smith Point Road where it ends.