There are 31 trails with a total length of about 4 miles. They range from easy trails of only a few hundred feet to difficult trails 1/5 mile in length. The trails are organized in relation to the five unique topographical features at Cedars: Sage Flat Area, Ruby Springs Drainage, Center Ridge Area, Cabin Creek Drainage, and West Ridge Area.
Your hiking experience will be truly natural "forest bathing."
Scroll to enjoy the "Forest and Trees" slide show below!
There are three trails in this area. Two circle and cross the sage-covered flat area, and the third connects with the Ruby Springs and Center Ridge trails. Beautiful views and varied habitats.
There are nine trails in this section. Massive ancient cedars, a pond and springs, rare orchids, homestead remains, amazing wild roses, and so much more.
There are seven trails in this section. Broad views, mixed sage and cedars, lichen-covered boulders, dryland wildflowers, Pinyon Point, and the rare "queen of Delta County" milkweed.
There are eight trails in this section. Very diverse, with mixed habitats with young and ancient cedars, wildflowers, and views large and small.
There are four trails in this area. Mostly dryland plant communities, with a different dominant flower every year: barrel cacti, sego lilies, draba, and more.
On June 13, 2020, we hiked for an hour early in the morning to explore the trapezoid-ish area inside and out of four trails: Phacelia, Cabin Creek, Dirty Dog and Center Ridge. Katherine was intent on documenting the ancient cedars. Most of the tree trunks are about two-feet in diameter. Many looked dead, but on close inspection have live branches. Enjoy your stroll with fourteen of about half that she photographed.
Off-trail, east of Center Ridge Trail, with sumac and small pinyons nearby.
Criss-crossing our forty acres, most trails are hidden from each other due to topography and vegetation. All have unique views, habitats, wildlife, and experiences waiting for you. Ridgetops are dry site, old growth juniper and sagebrush, with views of the North Fork Valley, the nearby West Elk and Ruby Range Wilderness areas and the distant San Juans. The creek bottoms have year-round streams, with cattail and watercress, small ripples and waterfalls; juniper grow tall and straight here, quite distinct from the gnarly, twisted ancient trees on the ridge tops. In-between are dense forests and rock outcrops that each have their own personalities.
In this dry climate, it is refreshing to hike a trail in the rain as the moss on the rocks puffs up like sponges. Snow changes the landscape as rocks and yucca poke up through new snow. In the heat of the summer, the streams offer natural air conditioning.
The trails allow us and our visitors to enjoy the natural wonders easily and quickly, taking you on new adventures in changing settings, allowing you to explore, discover and escape in this magical place. We are always ready to guide you on a hike or point the way for you to discover on your own.
For guests with short-range or limited walking abilities, we use our bench-seat 4-wheeler to ferry guests to the remote trailheads, or take guests for viewing tours along the old 4-wheel tracks to the end of West Ridge and to Sage Flat. We provide GPS-created trail maps, illustrating trail variety and lengths.
Colwell Cedars
30048 North Road, Hotchkiss, CO 81419, US
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