Last night I was thinking about Thursday’s hike when I got a call from an excited Debby Marker. I do appreciate suggestions. She had just been on a New Dimensions trip to (an area that I was not aware of ) called the Grand Junction Wildlife Area. She thought that it might interest me and be a good Thursday hike. Well, it was dark when she called, and I would need to check it out Tuesday morning before I set up this hike so I did not get the notice out Monday like normal. I am typing rapidly so I can go eat breakfast.
This area is not a Colorado Wildlife Area that is limited, by great penalty, to those holding hunting and fishing licenses, but the land is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation, so anyone can go for free. It is off Rosevale Road, which places it on east Redlands, on the west side of the junction of the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers. There are a couple of miles of level hiking and exploration trails in the area. More importantly there is lots of wildlife. There are foxes, turkey, many birds, a lake, and if you don’t see deer, you get your money back. We will just walk around and explore this amazing area. This area is a great cottonwood forest, which will be near its golden peak. Binoculars or a camera may be wanted. This is a great area for those that want to come back later on their own just for solitude. ( If you want to hike fast to get your heart-rate up, maybe you want to do a different hike. ) Unfortunately dogs are not allowed in this wildlife area.
We will meet on the Redlands at the SW corner of Safeway parking lot off Broadway, outside Chow Down.at 0845 on Thursday, 17 October, and carpool to the site. The parking area is not large but does have a pit toilet. I expect we will be out about 2 hours and 2 miles. If you wish we may eat at Handlebars or Pantuso’s afterwards.