In southeast Colorado, in the Comanche National Grassland, there is an outstanding canyon along the Purgatoire River. It features trails, scenic bluffs, stellar views, and even dinosaur tracks!
Yep, you read that right, dinosaur tracks.
Warning! The following photos are not from Nebraska. They are from the GPT state of Colorado! My recent trip included a side venture to CO
Cool to see Scottsbluff National Monument fixing areas with real adobe bricks! … plus a great campsite on the south side of the park with
I interrupt posts on my recent trip to Nebraska to bring you the following exciting news. Two GPTA Board members, Clay Bonnyman-Evans (trail name Pony)
Great Plains Trail Alliance was formed from an inspiration that began in 1991 when founder Steve Myers took a trip from Minnesota to Wyoming. On the way, he was struck by the beauty of the open spaces west of the Missouri River. He wanted a way to experience this landscape more fully. Not long after, the seed of an idea for the Great Plains Trail was planted.
Great Plains Trail Alliance
Louisville, CO 80027
smyers@greatplainstrail.org
3 Responses
The Picketwire and Chorizo Canyons along the Purgatory River are so remote near Springfield, CO, but with spectacular cedar covered bluffs, petroglyphs, dinosaur tracks and old stage coach trails it has the feel of the undiscovered West. BTW, one has to be in a permitted group (often from the Denver Mus. of Science & Nature) to explore the dinosaur tracks when they are exposed at certain times of the year. Great hiking with no nearby facilities (or wifi!).
I just drove by Springfield and Campo today on 287 and saw the signposts on my way to Texas. These canyons always make me smile with good memories.
Checkout the Forest Service website for Picketwire Canyon!
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/psicc/recarea/?recid=77620
Nearly all of your images encourage my urge to pack my bike and head to the location featured in your image to bike and camp. I do not know the origin of these urges to ride in wide-open spaces since I am a life-member of the East-Coast-born-and-bred club. I have followed the urge to Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota.