2016 Mtns & Mesas with covers
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Mountains & <strong>Mesas</strong> page 37<br />
this part of the San Isabel National Forest there are<br />
no facilities/services and <strong>with</strong> that, no fees. This is<br />
what the United States Forest Service calls a “dispersed<br />
camping area”, which means use previously-created<br />
sites or make one of your own. A few<br />
old campsites dot the northern end of the meadow.<br />
Use no-trace camping techniques and pack out<br />
what you pack in.<br />
As you head up hill, take a break and look back<br />
to the east. Both Spanish Peaks and Raspberry<br />
Mountain are now in view, but the allure of the red<br />
rock formations will urge you to keep heading west.<br />
Long pants are recommended for this “bushwhacking”<br />
part of the hike due to lack of a trail and heavy<br />
underbrush.<br />
The western ridge features several red rock<br />
towers, short cliffs, and mushroom-shaped blobs of<br />
sandstone. One could stay busy for days exploring<br />
the various taller formations and happily stumbling<br />
upon shorter ones hidden in the scrub.<br />
Returning to the meadow, the road continues<br />
downhill easterly and dead ends in 7/10 of a mile.<br />
Along this short drive, the creek runs to the left and<br />
a number of great camping spots can be found a<br />
short distance to the right.<br />
Tracy Canyon is home to deer, elk, cougar, black<br />
bear, western rattle snakes, and wild turkey. Exercise<br />
caution when camping there. The area has<br />
something for everyone; rock climbing, two-track<br />
mountain biking (stay on the roads please), picnicking,<br />
hunting, or just enjoying nature in a unique setting.<br />
Directions: La Veta is located 5 miles off Highway 160,<br />
west of Walsenburg. From La Veta, take Colorado Hwy<br />
12 south 1.5 miles to County Road 420. (This road is<br />
also US Forest Service Road #421. Locals refer to it as<br />
the Sulphur Springs Road or the Indian Creek Road).<br />
Turn right and follow the road for 5 miles as it cuts<br />
through Sulphur Springs Guest Ranch. Proceed another<br />
2 miles to the Indian Trail Trailhead. From this point on,<br />
a four-wheel drive vehicle is needed. Continue for another<br />
mile and turn right onto USFS Road #421. This<br />
is the Tracy Canyon Road. Follow it for 0.5 miles to the<br />
canyon floor and meadow. Suggested maps: USGS quads<br />
Cuchara and McCarty Park, San Isabel National Forest<br />
map.
Change language