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Ballgames
Trinidad plays bocce ball among the daylilies at Cimino Downtown Park. The park lies next to the riverwalk near the downtown historic district. Trinidad Lake State Park, 3 miles west of Trinidad, has a volleyball court. Los Niños Park has two soccer fields. Central Park has a baseball diamond. A basketball court sits by the riverwalk next to Los Niños Park. Central Park is a favorite for football practice. Find bowling at Trinidad Lanes (823 Van Buren, 846-7201), which has a snack bar and bumper lanes.
Discgolf
Trinidad plays harder, taking disc golf to new heights on its radical new course next to a world-class skatepark. See the Trinidad Map for directions.
Find a full line of discs at Droppin’ In Skate Shop, 200 Elm Street, in Trinidad. Hours: Mon-Tues and Thurs-Sun 9am-6pm. 719-846-8340.
Fishing
The Scenic Highway of Legends (Highway 12) area west of Trinidad is abundant with lakes and streams. Your next catch is as close as 10 minutes from Trinidad.
The first full weekend of June is open to fishing without a license in all Colorado waters.
In Trinidad, kids 14 and under have a pond all to themselves for trout fishing at Central Park.
Trinidad Lake State Park is rated one of Colorado’s fishing hot spots. The 800-acre lake in Trinidad Lake State Park is stocked with rainbow and brown trout, crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish, saugeye, walleye, wipers, and bluegill and is open year-round.
Blue and Bear Lakes in the Cuchara River Recreation Area have good trout fishing. The area is usually open by Memorial Day weekend.
Bosque del Oso, a 30,000-acre wildlife refuge near Trinidad, has two streams, the middlle and south forks of the Purgatoire River, for catch-and-release fishing with flies and lures from the beginning of Memorial Day weekend to the end of Labor Day.
Lake Dorothey State Wildlife Area has fishing with flies and lures only in the lake and streams. The area is open April 1–November 30.
Martin Lake (180 acres) and Horseshoe Lake (140 acres) in Lathrop State Park are stocked with rainbow trout, channel catfish, tiger muskie, bass, walleye, bluegill, and crappie. A fishing area for children under 15 is located near the Martin Lake dam. The park is open year-round.
Monument Lake Resort & Campground has pedal boats and is stocked with brown and rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, and splake. The lake is open May-September.
North Lake State Wildlife Area has excellent fishing for rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout, kokanee salmon, and splake (flies and lures only).
Purgatoire Campground is located on the north fork of the Purgatoire River, which has rainbow, brookies, and cutthroat. The site is usually open mid-late May through early-mid October.
The first full weekend of June is open to fishing without a license in all Colorado waters.
Click here for Colorado Fishing Regulations.pdf
Buy your fishing license online: wildlife.state.co.us/ShopDOW/AppsAndLicenses/
Or call 1(800) 244-5613
Fitness Centers
Pilates Studio
135 E. Main (second floor)
719-845-1409
Pro-Rehab and Fitness Center
323 N. Commercial
719-846-8668
Stay Fit Family Center
231 W. Main
719-846-4534
Four-Wheeling
Road 436, a rugged jeep trail of approximately 3.5 miles, climbs from Blue Lake campground to above timberline near the summit of Trinchera Peak in the Culebra Mountain Range. The road dead-ends at 10,400'. (From there, hikers may climb to the summit at 13,517'. The hike is difficult and takes 7-8 hours roundtrip. Beware of afternoon thunderstorms.)
Road 421 runs southwest from La Veta for 5 miles and dead-ends. It winds through varying landscapes and goes past Sulfur Springs Ranch, an additional trailhead for Indian Trail.
Cordova Pass Road, connecting Aguilar and Cuchara, is bordered by conifers and aspens that occasionally part for magnificent views of the Spanish Peaks and dikes. Road conditions vary but can sometimes be quite rugged. At Cordova Pass (11,743’), 29 miles from Aguilar and 6 miles from Cuchara, is a trailhead for one-night camping.
Road 85.5 over San Francisco Pass to Lake Dorothey State Wildlife Area is not for the faint-hearted. You may want to take the easier route, found in the main description of the area.
Head east from Trinidad on US-160. A little less than 2 miles from I-25, take a right (east) on Road 24.6. Go 7.8 miles (the road becomes CR 22 after 7 miles) to the intersection with CR 85.5. Take a right (south), and go past houses to a barbed wire gate. The gate has a “no trespassing" sign, and indeed the land beyond the gate on both sides of the road is private and off-limits; the road itself is for public access. Open the gate, drive through and close it. Go south for 13 miles to the SWA. The road from there—about 13 miles—reaches San Francisco Pass and then heads down to Lake Dorothey, which may or may not be on the other side of a locked gate.
Lake Dorothey State Wildlife Area
Golf
With over 300 days of sunshine a year and 60-degree days scattered throughout the winter, Trinidad is a fine town for golfers.
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Trinidad Municipal Golf Course Play in a wooded setting overlooking the town with the Sangre de Cristo mountains on the horizon and one of Isaac Hamilton Rapp’s Santa Fe–style masterpieces on the property. Open since 1914, the course has 9 holes and 18 different tee boxes (par 72), a pro shop, self-serve driving range, practice green, power and pull carts, and club rentals. 1417 Nolan Drive See trinidadgc.com or Events for tournament dates. |
 Avid Golfer magazine rates Trinidad’s historic golf course “one of the ten hidden gems in the country.” |
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Cougar Canyon Sculpted into the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Cougar Canyon’s new Nicklaus Design links course slices through exciting untamed terrain. This is Nicklaus Design’s longest Colorado course complete with a 670-yard monster par five to challenge the experts. Panoramic views of Fisher’s Peak and Spanish Peaks will most certainly vie for your attention as you negotiate the black sand hazards and 140+ slope rating of this par 72 masterpiece. 1-719-422-7015 |
 Cougar Canyon, Trinidad’s new golf course community, is planned around a Nicklaus-designed course with over 7,700 yards of lofty drives over natural gulches and rugged terrain. |
Hiking & Mountain Biking
Hiking and biking trails wind through the forests and canyons near Trinidad. If you want to stay in town, Trinidad’s 3.5-mile riverwalk always provides a pleasant stroll.
Access at Cordova Pass Trailhead (on Cordova Pass Road)
The trailhead is 6 miles east of Cuchara and 29 miles west of Aguilar on the four-wheel-drive road connecting the two towns. See Four-Wheeling and Hiking Daytrip. Cordova Pass is the center of the largest stand of bristlecone pines in the world. The trailhead has 3 one-night campsites with restrooms and trash service. The trails wind into Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area.
Apishapa Trail (#1324), 4.5 miles, moderate, ties into both West Peak and Wahatoya Trails. An additional trailhead is 4.8 miles east on the same road. The trail crosses several dikes.
Levy-Krier Trail (#1392), 3.5 miles, forks to the left off Salazar Trail and dead-ends.
Salazar Trail to Vista Point (#1392a), 0.5 mile, handicap accessible, winds along a ridge to dramatic views.
Wahatoya Trail (#1304), 12 miles, moderate-difficult, crosses the saddle between West and East Spanish Peaks and has splendid views of the Wet and Greenhorn Mountains. Intersects Apishapa Trail. (Another trailhead is 6 miles south of La Veta on Road 360. Turn right at the sign if you have four-wheel drive, or walk from there and go 2 miles to the trailhead.)
West Peak Trail (#1390), 3 miles, difficult, forks to the right off Salazar Trail. Climbs nearly 800 feet for about 2 miles to timberline. It continues in a steep and rocky ascent for another 0.75 mile to the summit at 13,623'. Beware always of afternoon thunderstorms. For tips on hiking this trail, see sangres.com.
Other Trailheads on Cordova Pass Road
Cordova Pass Road, sometimes called Apishapa Road, connects Aguilar and Cuchara. This is a rough road requiring four-wheel drive.
John Farley Nature Trail, 100 feet, easy. The trailhead is clearly marked, about 0.5 mile from Highway 12 near Cuchara.
Schafer Trail/Chapparal Trail, 3.5 miles, easy. Trailhead is about 4 miles from Highway 12. Sign is on the left side of the road in a curve and difficult to see until you are almost past it. Trail dead-ends at private property.
Dike Trail (#1389), 3.5 miles, moderate, slides along a dike that separates the White Creek and Cucharas River drainages. The trailhead is at the end of Oak St. in Cuchara, which is 54 miles west of Trinidad on the Highway of Legends (Hwy 12).
Access from Spring Creek Trailhead & Blue and Bear Lakes
The trailhead at Spring Creek is 0.5 miles south of Cuchara off Highway 12 and has a restroom and picnic facilities.
Dodgeton Trail (#1302), 5 miles, moderate, is popular for snowshoeing. It intersects Baker Trail (#1301, 3 miles, moderate) at mile marker 1.25 and Indian Trail (#1300, 14 miles, moderate), great for mountain biking, after another 2 miles.
All three trails are multiuse, serving mountain bikes, motorcycles, and ATVs. Unlicensed ATVs must have a Colorado license.
These three trails are also accessed from Blue & Bear Lakes in the Cuchara Recreation Area. ATVs are not allowed on the main access road (Road 422 off Hwy 12).
An additional hiking trail is accessed in the Blue and Bear Lakes area by taking Road 436, a rugged jeep trail of approximately 3.5 miles. It climbs from Blue Lake campground to above timberline near the summit of Trinchera Peak in the Culebra Mountain Range. The road dead-ends at 10,400'. From there, hikers may climb to the summit at 13,517'. The hike is difficult and takes 7-8 hours roundtrip. Beware of afternoon thunderstorms.
Access from Purgatoire Campground
From Trinidad, take Highway 12 about 40 miles; turn left on Road 34 (between Monument and North Lakes). Located at the headwaters of the Purgatoire River’s north fork, the site has water, restrooms, and trash service.
North Fork Trail (#1309), 4.5 miles, easy.
Note: Coal Creek and Wildcat Trails fork off this trail but are not maintained and not recommended.
Access at Trinidad Lake State Park
The park, 3 miles west of Trinidad on Highway 12, has ten miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife watching. Visitors can choose a short walk, interpreted nature trails, or eight-mile hikes into primitive backcountry areas. Daypacks that include binoculars and field guides are available at the visitor center. These trails are open to pets on a leash. Distances given are round-trip.
Levsa Canyon Trial, 1 mile, moderate, loops back to the campground area. Before you go, pick up a brochure at the visitor center that points out some of the area’s history through specific native plants and significant landmarks.
Reilly Canyon Trail, 4 miles, branches off Levsa Trail and terminates near historic Cokedale.
Carpios Cove Trail, 0.5 miles, moderate (steep), offers views of the reservoir and Fisher’s Peak.
South Shore Trail, 2.5 miles, takes hikers to the Long’s Canyon watchable wildlife area.
Long’s Canyon Trail (southwest area of the park), 1.25 miles, leads to two observation blinds overlooking a wetland area and offers a rare view of the K/T (Cretaceous/Tertiary) boundary, a significant geological feaure showing the volcanic ash layer associated with the demise of the dinosaurs.
Visitor Center Trail, 0.75 miles, easy (ADA accessible), connects interpretive features that include an overlook, a native American archaeological site, an horno, a watchable wildlife kiosk, and a wayside exhibit on the Santa Fe Trail.
Access at Lathrop State Park
Hogback Trail is for hikers only. Cuerno Verde Trail is open to bicyclists and hikers.
Hogback Nature Trail, 2 miles, moderate, winds through sandstone formations and climbs up the rocky Hogback Ridge. Pick up an interpretive brochure from the visitor center before taking your hike.
Cuerno Verde Trail, 3 miles, ADA accessible, is a closed loop encircling Martin Lake. The trail has restrooms along the way.
Access at Vogel Canyon
Four trails take hikers and horseback riders through short grass prairie and juniper trees to the canyon bottom and mesa top. Trail distances are round-trip, beginning at the parking lot. From La Junta, Colorado, drive south on Highway 109 for 13 miles. At the Vogel Canyon sign turn right (west) for 1 mile, then turn left (south) for 2 miles to parking lot. Magical Canyon Daytrip
Overlook Trail, 1 mile, easy, takes hikers to the canyon overlook.
Mesa Trail, 2 .25 miles, moderate, runs by old stagecoach stops and remains of homesteads.
Canyon Trail, 1.75 miles, easy, leads to an overlook, the old Eastbrook Homestead, the stone corrals of the Fagin and Brown sheep ranch, and rock art of the canyon’s earliest residents. Two permanent springs located at the bottom of the canyon help support a variety of wildlife, which can best be seen early in the morning or just before sunset.
Prairie Trail, 3 miles, moderate, takes hikers past stagecoach tracks of the Barlow and Sanderson lines.
Access at Picketwire Canyon
See Dinosaur Tour for an auto tour of prehistoric and historic sites in this fascinating canyon and for directions to the canyon. The longest dinosaur tracksite in North America is here.
Access by foot or horseback is from dawn to dusk. If you are going by foot, the trail is for advanced hikers only. Start at the Withers Canyon trailhead parking loop, the only public access to the area. (If you do not have a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle, you should begin your hike at the Corral Parking Area at the end of Road 25 and follow Forest Service Road 500A three miles to the Withers Canyon trailhead.) Follow the trail east-northeast to a brown pipe gate. From this point, the trail descends 250 feet into Withers Canyon. Then the trail follows a dirt two-track road (east) into Picket Wire Canyon. Once in the canyon, the trail turns south/southwest and heads up the canyon. Markers are placed approximately every 1.5 miles along the trail. Please leave gates as you find them.
Access at Timpas Creek.
Timpas Creek was the first source of water for Santa Fe Trail travelers after leaving the Arkansas River heading southwest to Trinidad.
A one-half-mile mile loop nature trail takes visitors to Timpas Creek and back. Hikers and horseback riders can follow a 3-mile section of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail to Sierra Vista Overlook.
Timpas is 71 miles from Trinidad on Highway 350.
Horseback Riding
Yellow Pine Ranch offers riding tours for the public after the end of May, when the owners bring their horses down from high pastures.
If you travel with your equine buddies, there are campgrounds that accommodate horse trailers and many riding trails. See Recreation Areas and the trails under Hiking and Biking.
Purgatoire Adventures Unlimited offers horseback riding for both daytrippers and ranch guests.
Hunting
Expansive wildlife areas, including the largest in the state (Bosque del Oso), make the Trinidad region a big draw for hunters. From the mountainous region west of Trinidad to the eastern grasslands, hunters find many opportunities for large- and small-game hunting.
Colorado DOW is opening 87,500 acres of private land in southeast Colorado for hunting of pronghorn and deer. The 3-year pilot program begins with archery pronghorn season on August 15, 2007. For more on the Big Game Access Pilot Program (BGAP), see wildlife.state.co.us
Apishapa State Wildlife Area, 7935 acres of shortgrass prairie and pinon-juniper woodlands, is open September 1–February 28 for large- and small-game hunting: deer, antelope, bighorn sheep, rabbit, turkey, scaled quail, and dove.
Bosque del Oso (Forest of the Bear), a 30,000-acre state wildlife area near Trinidad, has limited-license hunting for deer, elk, black bear, and turkey.
James M. John State Wildlife Area offers hunting for deer, turkey, elk, bear, mountain lion, coyote, waterfowl, bobcat, and small game.
Lake Dorothey State Wildlife Area offers hunting for deer, elk, and turkey.
In Lathrop State Park, posted areas around Horseshoe Lake are open for waterfowl and small-game hunting during regular seasons.
North Lake State Wildlife Area offers big game and turkey hunting.
Make reservations for elk and wild turkey hunting by calling
Spahn & Friends Bison Ranch at 505-278-2306/2316. spahn-friends.com.
Spanish Peaks State Wildlife Area has hunting for deer, elk, rabbit, squirrel, turkey, bear, and mountain lion.
Trinidad Lake State Park has hunting in posted areas during season with shotguns and bows only. All hunting is prohibited between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Hunting information is available at the visitor center.
Private properties have walk-in access for pheasant and scaled quail and big game. Call 719-561-5300 or visit
wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/SmallGame/WalkInAccess
More Hunting Info:
Colorado has instituted a Habitat Stamp to fund preservation of wildlife habitat for future generations.
Hunters and anglers in Colorado’s state wildlife areas and state trust lands automatically purchase a Habitat Stamp at a cost of $5 when purchasing a hunting or fishing license. The stamp is required on the first two licenses purchased in a calendar year.
Habitat stamps are required by all hunters and anglers except youths (18 and under), seniors (65 and over), the mobility impaired, and military hospital patients. Any Colorado resident on active duty outside the state with any branch of the U.S. armed forces may fish for free when in Colorado on their temporary leave papers up to 30 days without a habitat stamp. For hunting, a stamp is required for all military personnel
wildlife.state.co.us/ShopDOW/AppsAndLicenses/HabitatStamp/
What is a Colorado State Trust Land as opposed to other sites for hunting?
These lands are held in trust and thus are virtually private and were once closed to the public. However, through a special leasing agreement between the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) and the State Land Board, the lands are made available to the public for a limited time during the year for hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-related activities. Parcels are usually open from Sept. 1 through Feb. 28. They are not open year-round because they are also leased for other uses—such as farming, livestock grazing, mining, and logging.
Most State Trust Lands are not accessible by motor vehicle, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), or snowmobiles, and there are restrictions on camping, parking, and off-road driving.
Access to State Trust Lands is a privilege, and the public is reminded to respect the rights of other users and lessees and to abide by state rules so the lands can remain open for wildlife recreation in the future.
For more information, consult the DOW’s free brochure for rules and property-specific information. The brochure contains an order form for topographic maps that can be obtained for a small fee and that include directions to the sites. Call the Pueblo DOW office at 719-561-5300. For more on State Trust Lands, see
wildlife.state.co.us/LandWater/StateTrustLands.
Small game, turkey, mountain lion, and waterfowl dates and fees:
wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/SeasonDatesAndFees/SmallGameDatesandFees
Big game seasons:
wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/BigGame/SeasonStructure/
Limited licensing leftover:
wildlife.state.co.us/hunt/BigGame/pdf/leftover.pdf
Current hunting and land-use regulations in State Wildlife Areas and State Trust Lands; wildlife.state.co.us/hunting
Buy your hunting license on line:
wildlife.state.co.us/ShopDOW/AppsAndLicenses/
or call 1(800) 244-5613
It is illegal to feed deer and elk.
Rollerskating
Skateland
424 W. Main
Trinidad CO 81082
719-846-7383
A popular, old-fashioned skating rink. Call for hours.
Skateboarding
Champion skater Tony Hawk rates Trinidad’s skatepark one of the top ten in the world.
The sport’s longest grind is possible on the 120-foot flat wall. With lots of lines and no kinks, the skatepark provides challenging and fast full-arena runs and also accommodates the young ones. Next to the skatepark is Trinidad’s radical new disc golf course.
Bleachers, picnic tables, and a restroom make for all-day play.
Register now for Trinidad’s R.I.P Games in August, when beginners to advanced skaters and BMX bikers gather for two days of competitions, live music, and good food. Call Droppin’ In Skate Shop at 719-846-8340 (Tues & Thurs-Sun 10am-6pm; winter, noon-6pm).
Directions
Take I-25 to Trinidad
(14 mi. north of New Mexico border)
Use exit 13A (Main St.)
Turn right at Santa Fe Trail (Sonic).
Turn left at Jefferson
(Community Center Sign)
Turn right at the bottom of the hill (Community Center Sign)
Stay left approx. 500 ft.
Skatepark Regulations
Skate within your abilities and have fun!
Use of this park is at your own risk.
Safety equipment including helmets, knee and elbow pads, wrist supports, and proper shoes is required.
Pegs on bicycles MUST be skate park friendly—rounded at the ends to protect the surface of the facility (plastic covers preferred).
Profanity, recklessness, and rowdy behavior are prohibited.
No modifications to the skate park or makeshift items are allowed on or in the premises.
Skating is allowed only in authorized areas.
Respect the neighborhood and avoid excessive noise.
Loud music will not be tolerated at ANY TIME.
No tobacco, alcohol, or glass containers.
Keep food and beverages off the skating surface and use the trash cans.
KEEP OUR SKATE PARK CLEAN!
Spectators should observe from outside the skating area.
The City of Trinidad reserves the right to revoke use of site privileges for individuals who do not follow regulations.
Hours of permitted use are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
In case of serious emergency, call 911.
Watersports
The Trinidad Municipal Pool is at 1925 East Main Street, 719-846-9947. Trinidad's new municipal pool, scheduled for opening on Labor Day 2008, is at South Side Park near Trinidad's world-class skatepark and the Community Center.
In the lake country west of Trinidad are opportunities for all types of water sports. See Recreation Areas.
Wildlife Watching
Trinidad lies at the junction of the mountainous lake country of the Highway of Legends and the grasslands of Santa Fe Trail country. Near Trinidad is Bosque del Oso, the largest wildlife refuge in Colorado. Nearly every Colorado birding habitat is present in the area surrounding Trinidad. Following are only some of the excellent wildlife watching opportunities in the area.
In Trinidad, the highlight of birding is the Purgatoire riverwalk, which meanders along the river through areas of riparian forest. The most exotic of the waterbirds along the river is the great blue heron, seen wading on skinny legs in a calm eddy at the water’s edge. With a wing span up to five feet, the blue-gray bird carries its long neck in an S-shape, ready to stab into the water for small fish and amphibians. Other waterbirds are the Canada goose, colorful mallards, both blue-winged and green-winged teals, canvasbacks, and a dozen other ducks and geese. Terrestrial birds spotted along the river are the bald eagle and the more common golden eagles and red-tailed hawks. Often seen are handsome black and white magpies, crested blue Stellar’s jays, glistening ravens, and smaller red-winged blackbirds with bright red and yellow shoulder patches. Swifts and swallows skim just above the water. Most colorful are western tanagers and Baltimore orioles.
Apishapa State Wildlife Area is recommended by coloradocountybirding.com as an “undiscovered jewel” and mentions bushtit, canyon wren and towhee, rock wren, and juniper titmouse, also citing hepatic tanager as a possibility among the stands of ponderosa pine, portions of the river (accessed only from the north entrance) as looking like perfect black phoebe habitat, and the grassland on the way to and from the SWA as perfect for mountain plover. Turkey, scaled quail, doves, antelope, mule deer, bobcats, and coyotes also live there. Bighorn sheep have been reintroduced to the area by the Division of Wildlife. The area covers pinon-juniper forest, rimrock/mesa country, and lowland riparian habitats.
In the 30,000-acre Bosque del Oso State Wildlife Area (Forest of the Bear), montane coniferous forest, deciduous shrublands, piñon juniper forest, and riparian woodlands and grasslands provide breeding and migration habitat for many species.
Game species and furbearers: elk, mule deer, wild turkey, mountain lion, black bear, and beaver.
Raptors: bald eagle, golden eagle, red-tailed hawk, northern goshaw, Cooper’s hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, prairie falcon, peregrine falcon, American kestrel, great horned owl, long-eared owl, turkey vulture, and others.
This area is highly rated as “huge and fascinating” by coloradocountybirding.com, which recommends looking among the cottonwoods along the creek for Lewis’s woodpecker, lesser goldfinch, and migrant flocks of landbirds in season.
Other birds sighted include mountain bluebird, western bluebird, hairy woodpecker, downy woodpecker, white-breasted nuthatch, pygmy nuthatch, red-breasted nuthatch, black-capped chickadee, mountain chickadee, plain titmouse, belted kingfisher, scrub jay, piñon jay, Stellar’s jay, Clark’s nutcracker, rock wren, canyon wren, American dipper, ruby-crowned kinglet, blue-gray gnat-catcher, yellow warbler, yellow-rumped warbler, Wilson’s warblers, western tanager, rufous-sided towhee, chipping sparrow, song sparrow, dark-eyed junco, red-winged blackbird, pine siskin, American goldfinch, and others.
Rare or uncommon species are seen at certain times of the year.
Comanche National Grassland includes over 440,000 acres in southeastern Colorado for extraordinary wildlife viewing. Rare species such as the lesser prairie chicken, the golden eagle, and the swift fox make the Comanche their home. A wide variety of other animals, including pronghorn antelope, coyotes, hawks, burrowing owls, wild turkeys, badgers, prairie dogs, turtles, roadrunner, and collared lizards also live here.
From Cordova Pass, trails wind into high spruce and fir forests and mountain meadows of the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area. Birders can find nearly all the normal high-elevation species, including gray jay, blue grouse, and American three-toed woodpecker. Deer, elk, and turkey are some of the wildlife in the area.
See also Spanish Peaks National Wilderness Area,
Four-Wheeling and Hiking Daytrip, Hiking & Biking.
For wildlife watching in a high, wild area, go to James M. John State Wilderness Area. This little-known 8200-acre area harbors elk, deer, mountain lion, coyote, bobcat, bear, and turkey. Birders will see area raptors, golden and bald eagle, turkey vultures in season, and, if lucky, sharp-tailed grouse.
The unique vegetation of Lake Dorothey State Wildlife Area, generally ponderosa and scrub-oak with some higher meadows, recalls areas far to the south, and the road runs through likely breeding spots for hepatic tanager and possibly other outpost colonizers from the south like acorn woodpecker and white-winged dove. Acorn woodpecker did colonize the area for a few years in the mid-1990s. Elk, deer, bear, mountain lion, small game, and turkey live here.
High-plains grassland, piñon/juniper woodland, marsh and riparian habitats, can be found within Lathrop State Park's boundaries, offering views of such diverse bird species as greater roadrunner, juniper titmouse, sora, and belted kingfisher. The park is highly recommended by coloradocountybirding/com and provides a brochure on its birds. Racoon, coyote, mule deer, and bobcat tracks are often seen in the park.
Trinidad Lake State Park has an 800-acre lake with a landscape of piñon pine, one-seed juniper, rabbit brush, gambel’s oak, rocky mountain juniper, cholla cactus, mountain mahogany, banana yucca.
The park supports a diverse community of wildlife. Animals commonly seen in the park are mule deer, collared lizards, cottontail rabbits, and broad-tailed hummingbirds. Black bears are occasionally encountered. On most summer nights, coyote howls can be heard from the campground. On the south side of the reservoir is Long’s Canyon watchable wildlife area. Here you will find bird blinds that look out over a marshy area. At the shallower west end of the lake, one sees diving and dabbling ducks along with pelicans, gulls, and the occasional loon. When the water level is low, look for shorebirds on the resulting mudflats. The park has a brochure listing all sighted birds as well as many wildlife learning programs.
Colorado Division of Wildlife, Pueblo Office, 719-561-5300.
AskDOW@state.co.us
Winter Sports
Winter days in the Trinidad area can be cold or balmy, snowy or dry. When conditions permit, skiers cross country at Trinidad Lake State Park, which also has ice-fishing.
Dodgeton Trail is popular for snowshoeing.