Page 3 - RGC Recreational Map

NG(NO&N-MBOITKOIRNIZEGD OTNRLYA) ILS (NON-MOTORIZED ONLY)

Highland Trail #832 Natural Arch

ELEVATION: 10,500 ft and ends at 12,200 ft (use early summer to mid fall) DISTANCE: 0.5 miles DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
DISTANCE: 0.5 miles DIFFICULTY: Moderate
“La Ventana,” (the window) is an erosion cavity in a large volcanic dike. To get there
Travel 11 miles west on Hwy. 160 from South Fork. Turn right toward Big Meadows on road follow the instructions in the previous paragraph to CR 33, which will turn into 38A.
#430, following it until it dead ends and the Trout Creek trail begins. Trail #832 is to the west. Follow this road for 5-6 miles to FSR 660. After making a sharp left turn, proceed to
FSR 659 on the right. This road may be rough, however you will go only 2-½ miles until
Kitty Creek Trail #837 you reach the parking area and proceed up the trail a moderate distance to the arch.

ELEVATION: 9,500 ft to 12,000 ft (use summer to early fall) Palisade Trail #761

DISTANCE: 5 miles DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Hard ELEVATION: 8,400 ft to 9,500 ft (use early spring to late fall)
DISTANCE: 7 miles DIFFICULTY: Moderate
Go 11 miles southwest of South Fork on Hwy. 160. Turn right on FSR 430 headed toward Big
There is no public right-of-way through private property adjacent to Hwy. 149, therefore
Meadows and follow for 3 miles to Shaw Lake. The trail starts here and goes west towards the this trail will have to be accessed via the Alder Bench Trail #799. Used mostly by
recreational hunters or hikers, horsemen also like to take this trail towards Hanson’s Mill
Highland Trail #832 in the vicinity of Sawtooth Mountain. This trail is steep and susceptible and to Wheeler Geological Area. Along the trail is evidence of Douglas Fir tree stumps
to wind fall trees. In general, the trail is very scenic and maintains a steady incline along the that were cut for railroad ties in the late 1800s.
creek. Mountain Bikes are allowed up to the Wilderness Boundary.

La Garita Wagon Tracks #787 Penitente Canyon Recreation Area – BLM Only a selection of the most popular and
accessible trails for people of all ability
DISTANCE: 0.5 miles DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Difficult ELEVATION: above 8,000 ft. DISTANCE: 20+ miles levels are included in this guide; many
other trails are available as well.
The interest in this area is the wagon tracks in the rock made by early pioneers. To reach DIFFICULTY: Easy to Difficult
the site, proceed to Del Norte and take a left at the stop light onto Hwy. 112. Continue to the Hikers, Bikers & Horses can use
La Garita sign and turn left on CR 33, which will turn into 38A. As you drive you will see the Open most of the year. About 20 minutes north of Del Norte off of Hwy. 112 on to County motorized trails–just use caution.
“Elephant Rocks” to your left. The lower mountains to the North (straight ahead) are the
La Garita Mountains. Continue about 9.2 miles, turning left onto an unimproved road. Take Rd 33, continuing as Saguache County Rd 38A for about 12 miles to the signed entry. Mountain Bikes are allowed on all
the left fork, as indicated by the sign. After walking for about ½ mile, you will encounter the trails up to wilderness boundaries.
wagon tracks and other trail evidence, such as wagon hubs and axles rubbing and wearing This is high-desert canyon and low alpine riding/hiking. It comprises purpose-built,
on the stones. Take great care when searching further for artifacts, as hikers can become NEPA approved, non-motorized, singletrack trails, as well as technical rock climbing with As you prepare for your venture into the
disoriented in the canyons of this area. many bolted routes for beginners as well as advanced climbers, with campsites, hiking, woods, here are a few suggestions:
biking and horse trails. It is home to the annual “12 Hours of Penitence” endurance race.
• If you are going more than 30 minutes away
Lake Fork Trail #836 Map available at www.delnortetrails.org from your vehicle, take a day pack with rain
gear and a warm layer, water and some food.
ELEVATION: 8,800 ft. ends at 11,400 (use mid-spring to late fall) Pronghorn Trails System – BLM Be aware of the weather. Rapidly changing
conditions can surprise the unprepared.
DISTANCE: 7 miles DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate ELEVATION: 7,900 to 8,600 ft. DISTANCE: 9.5 miles
DIFFICULTY: Intermediate to Advanced • All Forest Service Roads are open for mountain
Option A: Go 10 miles southwest of South Fork on Hwy. 160. The trailhead is on the right biking, nature hiking, horse-back riding, ATVs,
Open May 1–Dec 31. Start 1-½ miles south of Del Norte, CO on Rio Grande County Rd 13 and dirt bikes.
side of the highway. Option B: Follow Hwy. 160 southwest about 11 miles, turning right on (French St.). For hikers and mountain bikers, this singletrack, non-motorized trail has
long, mostly gradual climbs and descents. The area has a mix of rock features, canyon, • Some trails are closed to ATVs and dirt bikes, so
FSR 430 toward Big Meadows and continue on past Shaw Lake. The road intersects the Tie and big vistas of San Francisco Creek, the San Luis Valley and the Sangre de Cristo make sure to check Forest Service maps as to
Mountain Range. Designed as one large loop, the climbs/descents are longer than many what is allowed on specific trails. Trailheads will
Hill Trail #835 from the northern end. The Lake Fork Trail has been designated a National others in the area, with some excellent lower watershed features. Mule deer, elk, falcons, also tell you what uses are allowed on that trail.
Recreational Trail. It follows Lake Creek through a rocky canyon, then gradually breaks into hawks, and other bird species, desert flowers, grasses and reptiles inhabit the area.
open meadows. The trail is generally gentle and well-marked. Mountain Bikes are allowed up • Riders are not allowed to ride off trail except to
to the Wilderness Boundary. Map available at www.delnortetrails.org access a suitable campsite up to 300 feet from
the trail. Any damage will result in a fine.
Limekiln Area – BLM connecting to USFS Spruce Lakes #710
Check out our Winter Map for info about Nordic
DISTANCE: 9.3 miles of singletrack; 24 miles of motorized singletrack; 29.2 miles of open roads DISTANCE: 7 miles Skiing, Snowmobiling and other winter activites.
DIFFICULTY: Beginner to Intermediate
From Big Meadows Reservoir, take the Archuleta Trail #839 until it intersects with trail
Open most of the year. Start 6 miles east of Del Norte on Hwy. 160 at the marked Limekiln/ #750. Turn left at this intersection and go until it again intersects with trail #710. The lake
Spanish Trailhead. This is a large expanse of land with purpose-built, NEPA-approved is ¾ of a mile from this point.
singletrack on almost every geographic feature, and connected by two-track roads. In total,
it provides about a century of riding. Map available at www.delnortetrails.org

Lookout Mountain Park Trails – Town of Del Norte Stone Quarry Trail System – BLM

ELEVATION: 7,884 to 8,475 ft. DISTANCE: 8 miles DIFFICULTY: Beginner to Intermediate ELEVATION: 7,900 to 8,100 ft. DISTANCE: 9.5+ miles
DIFFICULTY: Intermediate to Advanced
4 Town of Del Norte Trail Heads: 1-Corner of US Highway 160 and County Rd. 14;
2-South end of Spruce St.; 3-South end of Columbia Ave.; 4-West end of 7th St. Open most of the year. Winter snow makes this area foot only, and prior knowledge of
the canyons is very helpful.
Open all year, this natural surface, non-motorized singletrack trail is open to hikers, runners,
bicyclists, and equestrians. The more difficult 1-mile trail to the summit has an elevation gain Start 5 miles east of Del Norte off of US 160 at Gun Club Rd. This geologic area is on
of 600 feet with craggy switchbacks near the top. The summit is 8,475 feet in elevation and the western edge of, and connected to, the Limekiln Area. It is a unique, rugged region
part of the 200-acre Lookout Mountain Park Trails System. with large boulder formations which give the user a sense of seclusion. The high
desert boulder canyons have tight, winding, purpose-built, natural surface & slickrock
Map available at www.delnortetrails.org singletrack trails (NEPA approved, non-motorized). Several times the trail surfaces from
the rock canyons, providing panoramic views of the San Luis Valley and surrounding
Middle Frisco #879 mountain ranges.

ELEVATION: 9,000 to 11,982 ft. Map available at www.delnortetrails.org
DISTANCE: 6.3 MILES DIFFICULTY: INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED
Tie Hill #835
In Del Norte, head south on CR 13 (San Francisco Creek) and go 9 miles. The trailhead is on
the left, just past the animal rehab center. To begin the hike or ride, cross the creek via the DISTANCE: 1 mile
foot bridge. The trail follows the creek then climbs with 10 switchbacks. The upper section
has only a few hike-a-bike sections on the trail, ending at Frisco Lake. The downhill ride is fun! Take Hwy. 160 southwest out of South Fork for 11 miles to FSR 430. Turn right here and
follow about 3.5 miles to Shaw Lake. The trail begins at the upper end of the lake. The first
Million Reservoir intersection you come to will be #836, and if you turn to the right, you will end up at the
Lake Fork trailhead on Hwy. 160. To get to Tie Hill, you will want to turn left and follow to
DISTANCE: 0.5 miles DIFFICULTY: Easy ELEVATION: 8,700 ft. the second intersection. Turning right here will put you on the Tie Hill trail. This trail can
be followed until reaching #834, which will take you to either Metroz lake or FSR 430.
Go west 1 mile from South Fork on Hwy. 160. Turn left on the Beaver Creek Reservoir road.
The turnoff for Million Reservoir is about 5 miles on the left. The walk to the lake is flat and
fairly easy from the parking lot.