This trail starts from the Iron Gate Road approximately one and-a-half miles below Iron Gate Campground and Trailhead. You can park in the meadow across from the start of the trail or you can drive to Iron Gate and follow Hamilton Mesa Trail 249 and Monte Vista Trail 262 to the junction with the Valle Largo Trail. Beginning from the Iron Gate Road, the trail climbs for approximately one mile to the top of the ridge where it intersects Monte Vista Trail 262. The Valle Largo Trail crosses the ridge line and drops steeply to the crossing of the Rio Mora. Do not cut the switchbacks. The river can be deep during snowmelt and after heavy rains. The trail climbs from the river up another series of switchbacks through dense forest. The junction with Trail 241 is encountered at the top of the switchbacks. The trail continues to climb through the forest and then enters a very large meadow, the Valle Largo. Continue east through the meadow to its highest point; a trail and guideposts can be found near the timber line on the north side of the meadow. The trail enters the forest at the top of the meadow and soon intersects Las Trampas Trail 240. The trail gradually climbs a ridgeline through alternating forest and meadow to its end at the junction with Los Esteros Trail 226.

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