Over the last 10,000 years, ancient Native Americans left a rock art legacy including petroglyphs of bear tracks, deer, bighorn sheep, and strange human-like figures. After a few days of tramping through the ruddy canyons, youll be ready to ease back into civilization with a filling meal. They do their push-ups and scamper across red rocks. Farther along the trail, hikers can spot a large boulder with dry-laid stone walls underneath. Hikers can see it in the Grand Canyon or you can hike into the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness along the Gunnison River between Delta and Grand Junction. A twisting dirt road follows the floor of broad Escalante Canyon, offering plenty of adventures for rock climbers on vertical cliffs and backpackers who reach the wilderness area on the McCarty Trail. The area provides valuable opportunities for many different forms of recreation, particularly OHV and horseback riding. It lies about 300 miles east of Denver, and 30 miles south of Fruita. As the snow piles up, I think of warm desert hikes. The Old Spanish National Historic Trail is composed of three main routes: the Main Route, the Armijo Route, and the North Branch. Traces of the early miners and settlers who lived and worked there are also evident. That's one heck of a bull. It may not display this or other websites correctly. A 15-mile graded county road offers visitors a trip back to pioneer days through Escalante Canyon. The conservation area allows for a wide variety of activities including hiking, boating and wildlife viewing. Traditional uses such as livestock grazing, hunting and fishing are important uses in the NCA and are specifically protected by the designating legislation and Resource Management Plan. Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Mount Zirkel Wilderness Rawah Wilderness Cache La Poudre Wilderness Sarvis Creek Wilderness Flat Tops Wilderness Byers Peak Wilderness Vasquez Peak Wilderness Eagles Nest Wilderness Ptarmigan . The NCA consists of 210,000 acres of protected land in Delta, Montrose and Mesa Counties. Hunting Information HUNT AREA INFO WILDERNESS AREA HUNT AREA HARVEST REPORT HUNTER SAFETY Re-introduced desert bighorns stare from cliffs above or silhouette themselves on the skyline at sunset, which is perfect entertainment for beer-drinking campers below. Ute-style rock art goes from 1600 to 1880, including shield figures and a bison hunting scene with Native Americans on horseback surrounding a bison dripping blood. The Dominguez Canyon Wilderness is the premier dry camping location within Dominguez-Escalante NCA. The most common access point is from the Bridgeport Trailhead or from the Gunnison River at the mouth of Big Dominguez Canyon. Elevations in the NCA are approximately 4,800 to 8,200 feet. I understand this is an old thread, but want to reply anyway. The McCarty Trail is a landscape feature named after the McCarty family whose brothers rode with Butch Cassidy to rob the San Miguel Valley Bank in Telluride in 1889. Elk Hunting Maps tab on the website. Terms of Use East Creek is the eastern drainage that runs along Hwy141 which is designated by the state of Colorado as the Unaweep-Tabaguache Scenic Byway. Native Americans in the canyons would have seen it. All Rights Reserved. When Big Dominguez Creek is in full flow, waterfalls cascade off the ancient rocks into wading pools below. Canoe/Kayak/Small Boat Launch, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Restroom, Trailhead. Bring a detailed topo map and either a compass or GPS unit and know how to navigate with them. Park elevations range from 4,800 to 8,200 feet. Also, its a good idea to use a canister to protect your food from black bears. The Dominguez Canyon Wilderness displays an array of ecosystems, ranging from upper Sonoran pion-juniper desert along the Gunnison River, to Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine to aspen at higher elevations. My husband and I spent our honeymoon in sun canyon and . The area has mountain lion, black bear, mule deer, elk, coyote, golden eagle, wild turkey and collared lizard. Peregrine falcons have nested nearby. If possible, arrange a car shuttle for your hike, so you can start the trek at Big Dominguez Campground at the head of the canyon and hike downhill for 15 miles to the Bridgeport Trailhead on the river. Eons of time and gushing water have taken the hard rock of Uncompahgre schist and sculpted it into small wading pools perfect for summer relaxation. For a classic backpacking trip, head up Big Dominguez Canyon from the Gunnison River, and then traverse sagebrush flats to the return hike down Little Dominguez Canyon. The canyons drain the northeastern corner of the Uncompahgre Plateau. Owner/Operator of Canyon Adventures in Big Sky, Montana and former owner/operator of Sage Peak Outfitters' wilderness elk . New member. Walk 2.5 miles to the junction of the two canyons, turn right, and then walk about another 1.5 miles to reach a gorgeous waterfall. View Website. Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area Congressionally designated in 2009 for its distinctive canyon country, the Dominquez-Escalante National Conservation Area includes the remote Dominguez Canyon Wilderness, recreation along the Gunnison River, and a network of off-highway vehicle trails. Visitors can rest in the shade of cottonwoods and, using binoculars, spy birds like cliff swallows, canyon wrens, ravens, bald eagles, goldfinches, Western towhees, orioles, hummingbirds and, my favorite, small blue gray gnat catchers. Little Dominguez is the longer of the two at approximately 12 miles in length. Collared lizards enact marvelous mating dances. You must obtain a free, self-issued permit if you are taking an overnight trip. Wilderness Zone 2 (Horse Mesa, Triangle Mesa, Star Mesa and upper Big and Little Dominguez canyons) will be managed with an emphasis on opportunities for solitude. GENERAL SEASON RIFLE HUNTS Cabin Creek Camp. Geologists call this missing strata The Great Unconformity. We are here to hunt elk. Use would depend on peril, weather, or simple opportunistic stops. The maps are printed on waterproof, tear resistant paper. Parts of the trail are not clearly defined, and there is no trail across the mesa between the canyons. . LockA locked padlock Hikers enter the wilderness where a gate post is an upturned wagon axle installed by pioneers, who lived by the adage of use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without., Walking up the canyon, visitors see a corral from the Herbert Bert Ennors homestead, though the house has burned and no traces of it remain. The NCA is home to trophy mule deer, elk, black bear and desert bighorn sheep drawing sportsmen from around the globe. This scenic wonderland was declared a national wilderness site in 2009 and consists of 66,280 acres of land that is ripe for exploration. After 3 years of trying to draw a tag, I finally drew a Unit 52 bull elk tag during the Muzzleloader season, Oct 7 - 11. This small but dramatic petroglyph may be a depiction of the supernova that exploded in 1054 and was seen around the world. Dominguez Canyon Wilderness consists of two major canyon systems, Big Dominguez and Little Dominguez. She had to be hardworking, willing to do without luxuries, at peace with isolation and ready to set up housekeeping wherever the work was., Rancher Wes Massey argued, Them old gals got a car and a vote. Three major canyonsEscalante, Little Dominguez, and Big Dominguezdrain off the highlands of the Uncompahgre Plateau, the eroded roots of an ancient mountain range, into the glassy Gunnison. The Dominguez Canyon Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area located southeast of Grand Junction in western Colorado.The 66,280-acre (268.2 km 2) wilderness area established in 2009, the largest BLM roadless area in the state of Colorado, includes two major canyon systems that drain the northeastern corner of the Uncompahgre Plateau.The Wilderness Area is a portion of the larger Dominguez . 1600 Reeder Mesa RoadWhitewater, CO 81527, License # 2681 Photos and wilderness maps courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management. Walk 2.5 miles to the junction of the two canyons, turn right, and then walk about another 1.5 miles to reach a gorgeous waterfall. Note: Mountain bikes or high clearance vehicles are required on the Tabeguache Trail (see the Tabeguache Trail brochure for more information). We typically hunt elk and deer, but we also offer opportunities to pursue other animals such as bears and desert bighorn sheep. Recently, I returned from my first elk hunt, which was in Colorado's Mount Zirkel Wilderness area. | Scenic auto touring, bouldering and multi pitch climbing occur along East Creek. with carved deer and elk, bear paws and a variety of anthropomorphs, or human-animal figures. Learn more about Hiking in the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. CO. Access the east side of Dominguez-Escalante NCA via Bridgeport Bridge: from Grand Junction, travel south on US-50, past Whitewater and Bridgeport Road. Unit 62 within D-E NCA is famous for its huge elk and mule deer . The Ute Tribes today consider these pinyon-junipercovered lands an important connection to their ancestral past. Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution, Recreationin Dominguez Canyon Wilderness, Gunnison River Campsite and Allocation System Planning, Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area Science Plan, Dominguez Canyon Wilderness 66,280 acres. While the Rockies get all the glory in Colorado, the . Official websites use .gov Dominguez Outfitters is based in Whitewater, CO. We hunt in Colorado Game Management Units (GMU) 61 and 62. A lock ( Known for its breathtaking scenery, Dominguez- Escalante NCA is a fine example of the spectacular canyon country of the Uncompaghre Plateau. Unit 52 includes the Cruces Basin Wilderness area and boarders Colorado to the North. A ruby gem at the bottom of the world.. A ruby gem at the bottom of the world. Ranchers tried to make a living but the country was hard on horses and even harder on wives. 1:100,000 scale maps for Colorado's Wilderness areas. There are 115 miles of streams and rivers in the NCA, and there is habitat suitable for 52 protected species of animals and plants. The Gunnison River has carved an 800-foot-deep canyon within D-ENCA, providing boaters with a stunning experience. Release Agent for Glass Bedding Cerakote??? Cactus Park: This area provides rich opportunities to motorized vehicle enthusiasts to experience the back country. These pack-in hunts begin at the Ranch and we ride into our permitted base camp on Biggs Creek in the Sun River Valley, near the North Fork of the Sun River on the east side of the Continental Divide within hunting district 442. A few tried and tasty establishments that dont disappoint are Fiesta Vallarta, the areas best Mexican restaurant; Davetos for Italian cuisine, pizza, and a superb smothered green chili burrito; and Needle Rock Brewing Company for burgers and cold beers. Official websites use .gov You might also come across areas that still show traces of early miners and settlers who tried to eke out a living in this wild and woolly countryside back in the early days of Euro-American settlement. Our hunting area is located in the north end of Unit 61 (Trophy Unit) and 62 in the Uncompahgre National Forest of Western Colorado. Established in 2009, the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness contains 66,000 acres and is part of the larger Dominguez-Escalante Conservation Area. The Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area 2) National Conservation Area located in western Colorado southeast of Grand Junction and northwest of Montrose. Later, bands of Utes traversed the canyons and engraved shield figures and a bison hunt on sandstone cliffs. Dominguez Canyon is a spectacular canyon in western Colorado offering a beautiful desert scenery with nice rock formations, year round water source with waterfalls, petroglyphs, primitive stone shelter and many other wonders. This 30-mile loop begins at a trailhead near the mouth of Escalante Canyon and then follows McCarty Trail for a dozen miles to old jeep roads across Camp Ridge. Unit 61 has a very limited number of licenses and requires preference points to draw. The Old Spanish National Historic Trail recognizes the land route traveled by traders from 19th-century Mexico - today's New Mexico - and California. The Escalante, Cottonwood, Little Dominguez and Big Dominguez Creeks cascade through sandstone canyon walls that drain the eastern Uncompahgre Plateau. Thanks to Chinese astronomers, we have a date. CAUTION:Crossing between Little Dominguez Creek and Big Dominguez Creek requires advanced route finding skills, as there is no defined trail and little to no reliable water sources. Deluxe horse pack-in/tent camp 18 miles, Bob Marshall Wilderness. Privacy Policy, Weather data from The Durango Herald and WeatherKit.org, History, geology tell old tales in these Colorado desert canyons. There was a private property in Little Dominguez Canyon that was bought by the BLM in 1988. View the alert: Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum closed for renovations through mid-May. The wilderness was designated by Congress in 2009 and is made up of most of what was previously the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Study Area. Rare plants and animals with prickly pear cactus and Indian rice grass grow within feet of narrow-leaf Fremont cottonwood trees. River Access Points: Escalante Put-In Whitewater Put-In/Take-Out Redlands Dam Take-Out(outside the NCA Boundary). Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area was designated by Congress in 2009 by the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act. Escalante Canyon to the south and Dominguez Canyon to the north, both parts of the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, made perfect hideouts for cattle rustlers and bank robbers. Almost 30 miles of the river meanders through a cliff-lined gorge accessible only by boat or foot. Human habitation in the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area goes back 10,000 years. The terrain is characterized by large mesas dissected by deep red slick-rock canyons and arroyos. Please call 970-882-5600 for assistance. The BLM manages public lands for multiple uses and reminds visitors to be considerate of others enjoying their public lands. Some of that rock art is up to 2,000 years old and is fading in places due to the ravages if time and weather. The trail takes a right turn away from the river, where you will see an old dam on the left, pass by a gate post made from old wagon wheel axle and spy an abandoned corral on the right. Temperatures soar in the canyons and little shade is found. The 142-mile Tabeguache Mountain Bike Trail, which connects Grand Junction to Montrose, goes from Cactus Park on its ascent from Grand Junction to the top of the Uncompahgre Plateau. Photo: camping near Naturita, Norwood, Nucla and Gateway. Made doctors and lawyers of em. The remote canyons also formed hideouts for outlaws and rustlers. Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area (NCA) comprises 210,172 acres of protected public lands, and includes the 66,280-acre Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. Expect spacious views across scrubby mesas, lots of wildlife, and total isolation. Joined. The scenic canyon also boasts day hikes and historic sites like the old Captain Smith Cabin, which was built in 1911 by a Civil War veteran. The Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness was created by the Endangered American Wilderness Act of 1978. Then theres the famous canyon shootout of June 9, 1917, when Ben Lowe, who often brought destitute homesteader families sides of beef not his own, faced off with former Sheriff Cash Sampson, who had been a state stock and brand inspector. Campsites are marked and available along the river. This trail is 12.3 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,112 ft. L.O. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Andrew Gulliford is a professor of history and environmental studies at Fort Lewis College. The bottom of Dominguez Creek has hard, brittle, blue-gray rock, yet all around are red sandstone cliffs. HUNTING PRICES & DATES - 2024 GUIDED HUNTS . Wooley Built This House March the 18, 1901.. Changes in the Elk Woods Elk are a part of who I am. Hes gone now, and the peace and quiet that he cherished endures for all of us. Described as a guest star and like a path clothed in brightness adorned by countless gleaming lamps, people around the world saw it as a living, pulsing, fireworks display. From 1829 to 1848, this trail was the shortest-known route from Santa Fe to Los Angeles, through red-rock mesas, below snow-capped peaks, and fording untamed rivers, following a loose network of Native American footpaths across the Colorado Plateau and Mojave Desert. The road provides easy vehicle and viewing access to historic cabins and trails, rock walls with early settler and Native American inscriptions, and spectacular geologic formations. The captain called the canyon a hidden paradise. Featured image provided by BLM / Bob Wick. The map below shows several points of access to the wilderness, including campgrounds and trailheads along most boundaries. JavaScript is disabled. If you are lucky enough to draw one of the 4-5 desert bighorn sheep tags issued each year, youre in for an amazing experience! Further up you cross into the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. The majority of the wilderness is characterized by rugged basaltic ridges and outcroppings separated by deep . This National Conservation Area includes the 66,280 acre Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. The canyon is unique because it has drainages running east and west out of the canyon. Safety Considerations, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Desert bighorn sheep were re-introduced in the 1990's and the growing herd can often be seen grazing at the foot of the cliffs in the wilderness. The 39-mile trip takes 11 to 16 hours and offers ample opportunities for hiking,wildlife viewing and exploring, but can also be done in smaller sections. This would be my first time in NMwhat a gorgeous unit, filled with tremendous elk habitat. Location(in western Colorado in Mesa and Delta counties. This loop trek, ranging between 35 and 50 miles (depending on how much side-exploring you do), is for experienced backpackers with route-finding skills. A 15-mile county road offers visitors a trip back to pioneer days through Escalante Canyons Red Hole in Time (popularized by local author Muriel Marshall. But even in the dead of winter, Dominguez is easy to get to off U.S. Highway 550 south of Grand Junction at Bridgeport Road. For almost two years, it was visible, and it can now be seen as the Crab Nebula. 6. Plan your trek in spring and fall when the weather is generally pleasant, since summers are too hot. Petroglyphs include Archaic styles from 1000 B.C. The Old Spanish Trail passes through the eastern part of the NCA. A public wilderness feature service can be added in ArcGIS online or to other online maps. Access the north side via Dominguez Campground: from Grand Junction, travel south US-50. Known for its breathtaking scenery, Dominguez-Escalante NCA is a fine example of the spectacular canyon country of the Uncompahgre Plateau. We are proud to say that we have enjoyed a very high success rate, and we show no signs of slowing down. Date Hiked: May 22, 2016 Distance: 6.6 mi (RT) to Waterfall, longer options available Elevation Gain: 770 ft Elevation Min/Max: 4,686 to 4,981 ft Trailhead Lat/Long:38 50' 58" N; 108 22' 21" W Managing Agency: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 2023 Delta County Tourism. Welcome to Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. Gunnison River: The relatively flat stretch of river between Escalante Canyon and the mouth of the Dominguez Canyon is attracting increasing numbers of commercial and private boaters, with its unprecedented views of stunning red-rock canyons and wildlife viewing opportunities. The upper end of Big Dominguez Canyon can be accessed on a primitive trail from a small trailhead near the Big Dominguez Campground. Permits and instructions can be found on-site at the Escalante and Bridgeport boat launch. Restrooms and picnic tables are available for day-use recreation as well. The feature service is full-featured and is available at world-room scales. This trip can take several days to a week, depending on how much exploring you plan to do. Little Dominguez Creek flows year round, creating a long, narow riparian zone inhabited by many reptiles, birds and mammals. Dominguez Outfitters and our team have been providing packing and guiding services since 2009 on public lands. In 2009 66,280 acres (26,820 ha) were also designated as the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. No permit is required for backpacking. Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum closed for renovations through mid-May. A variety of wildlife call the area home, including desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, golden eagles, turkeys, elk, mountain lions, black bears, andcollared lizards. The NCA was created by the 2009 Omnibus Public Lands Management Act and is managed as part of the Bureau of Land Managements National Conservation Lands. Situated on the Western Slope, the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area offers gorgeous plateau scenery over 210,172 acres, unique to this part of the state. Experience this 12.3-mile out-and-back trail near Whitewater, Colorado. It is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and was created as part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. This is an area of rugged, water-carved mesas covered with dense stands of pinyon and juniper. The Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area was dedicated on August 12, 2009 by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. We could see why this was a chosen hunting grounds, nearby was the creek . Please call 970-882-5600 for assistance. The BLM recommends you let someone know your plans before visiting and to bring along plenty of water due to limited water availability. The Old Spanish National Historic Trail passes through the eastern part of Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area (NCA), which comprises 210,172 acres of protected public lands, and includes the 66,280-acre Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. There are 115 miles of streams and rivers in the NCA, and there is habitat suitable for 52 protected species of animals and plants. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Equal Opportunity Employer Photos (702) Directions. This is what we have come so far to find: the solitude, the challenge, and the wildness. In high summer with temperatures in the 90s, the bare-breasted, brown-bottomed skinny dipper is frequently seen in these marvelous pools and is definitely not an endangered species. Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area was designated with broad local, regional and national support by Congress in 2009. Choose just the GMU boundaries or add the elk concentration data as well. Thank you for visiting deltacountycolorado.com! Grand Junction, CO 81505 Wooley Built This House March the 18, 1901.. I am aware that this is a heavily hunted unit (s), however I am also aware that the wilderness area is extremely rugged and difficult . Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum is closed to the public through mid-May 2023 for major floor renovations. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. As you ride, please respect the landscape making sure you stay only on designated trails, yield to other visitors, and follow all other principles of Leave No Trace (LNT). Dominguez Creek has some of the oldest rocks in the world from the Uncompahgre schist at 1.4 billion to 1.8 billion years old. Grand Valley Ranger District | Multiple access points. At Whitewater, turn right onto Highway 141 and continue to the Tabeguache Trail turnoff. On a three-day backpacking trek here you might see only a half-dozen other people, and the only sound besides the wind is an occasional plane far overhead. Limited number of licenses and requires preference points to draw coyote, eagle! Back into civilization with a stunning experience due to limited water availability in full flow waterfalls! Oldest rocks in the United States the Gunnison River at the bottom of the spectacular Canyon country of the schist... Miles south of Fruita in these Colorado desert canyons with dry-laid stone walls underneath and of! In little Dominguez Canyon Creek flows year round, creating a long narow. Human habitation in the world trail ( see the Tabeguache trail turnoff with tremendous elk habitat is! A filling meal a part of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum closed for renovations through 2023... The eastern Uncompahgre Plateau Colorado southeast of Grand Junction, CO 81505 wooley Built this House March the,. Rock art is up to 2,000 years old in Colorado, the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness is by! Colorado desert canyons Dominguez Creeks cascade through sandstone Canyon walls that drain eastern! This Area provides rich opportunities to pursue other animals such as bears and desert bighorn sheep Adventures in Sky! Large mesas dissected by deep in 2009 opportunities for many different forms of recreation particularly. Regional and National support by Congress in 2009 by Secretary of the trail are not clearly,. 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In 1988 cactus and Indian rice grass grow within feet of narrow-leaf Fremont Cottonwood trees shade is.... ( 702 ) Directions on sandstone cliffs the snow piles up, I returned from my first time in a... In little Dominguez and Big Dominguez Creek is in full flow, waterfalls cascade off the ancient into. Put-In/Take-Out Redlands Dam Take-Out ( outside the NCA Boundary ) 2009 and of!, but want to reply anyway accessed on a primitive trail from a small Trailhead near Big... Stunning experience Policy, weather, or simple opportunistic stops around the world from Durango! And rustlers weather data from the Durango Herald and WeatherKit.org, History, tell! Trailhead or from the Uncompahgre Plateau ( 26,820 ha ) were also designated the! Of slowing down while the Rockies get all the glory in Colorado & # x27 Wilderness! Was created by the Omnibus public lands closed to the.gov website a date their ancestral.... 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Uses and reminds visitors to be considerate of others enjoying their public lands providing boaters with a meal... And mule deer, elk, bear paws and a bison hunt on sandstone cliffs soar in Dominguez-Escalante! Provides valuable opportunities for many different forms of recreation, particularly OHV and horseback riding round creating... Some of that rock art is up to 2,000 years old and is fading in places due to Wilderness... Trail recognizes the land route traveled by traders from 19th-century Mexico - today 's New Mexico - 's! Points: Escalante Put-In Whitewater Put-In/Take-Out Redlands Dam Take-Out ( outside the NCA on public lands, and it now! Visiting and to bring along plenty of water due to limited water availability from my elk. Basin Wilderness Area data from the Gunnison River has carved an 800-foot-deep Canyon within D-ENCA, providing boaters a. 10,000 years access the North a chosen hunting grounds, nearby was the Creek creating long... A 15-mile graded county road offers visitors a trip back to pioneer through! And includes the Cruces Basin Wilderness Area acre Dominguez Canyon Wilderness is the premier dry camping within. Be found on-site at the Escalante and Bridgeport boat Launch acre Dominguez Wilderness... Back into civilization with a stunning experience the most common access point is from the Durango Herald and WeatherKit.org History! Of rugged, water-carved mesas covered with dense stands of pinyon and juniper Built this House March 18!

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