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Canyon Pintado Rock Art | Rangely Colorado

Canyon Pintado rock art is easy to find and makes for a great road trip.

Click to watch our Canyon Pintado rock art video on YouTube.

As we began our drive into the Canyon Pintado National Historic District, we were both filled with excitement. We had heard about this place before, but we never really knew what to expect. Now, as we drove deeper into the canyon, we were both eager to see what it had in store for us.

The Canyon Pintado area is located in western Colorado, just outside of the town of Rangely. It’s a rugged and beautiful landscape, filled with steep canyons and towering cliffs. But what makes this place truly special is the ancient history that’s been preserved here in the form of rock art.

As we made our way deeper into the canyon, we began to see the first signs of the area’s past inhabitants. Petroglyphs – ancient rock carvings – were etched into the cliff faces on either side of us. Some were simple shapes and patterns, while others depicted animals or human figures. We were both fascinated by these petroglyphs and couldn’t help but wonder about the people who had created them so long ago.

As we continued on, we came to a small parking lot and a set of informational signs. Here, we learned that the Canyon Pintado area was once home to a thriving community of Native Americans known as the Fremont people. They lived here for hundreds of years, from around 200 AD to 1300 AD, and left behind a wealth of artifacts and structures that can still be seen today.

One of the most impressive of these structures is a series of pit houses, which were dug into the ground and covered with roofs made of branches and mud. These houses provided shelter for the Fremont people during the harsh winters and hot summers that are common in this part of Colorado. We both marveled at what was left of these structures, imagining what it must have been like to live in such a place.

But perhaps the most remarkable feature of the Canyon Pintado area is the sheer number of petroglyphs that have been preserved here. There are so many rock art and petroglyphs in the area, and they range in age from 1,000 to 8,000 years old. Some are very easy to spot, while others are more subtle and require a keen eye to find.

As we wandered through the canyon, taking in all of the petroglyphs we couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder. This place is a true testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Fremont people, who were able to thrive in such a challenging environment for so many centuries.

As we continued to explore the Canyon Pintado rock art, we both agreed that the Canyon Pintado National Historic District is a truly special place. It’s a must-see destination for anyone interested in ancient history or Native American culture. If you ever find yourself in western Colorado, we highly recommend taking the time to check it out for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.

Also check our our post on Legend Rock in Wyoming.

Is Salida Colorado Worth Visiting?

Destinations

Salida, Colorado, considers itself “The Heart of the Rockies,” but is Salida worth visiting?

Hints of Spring had us itching to get out and do a bit of traveling. April is prime “mud season” here in Colorado. The good skiing is all but done, though the mountains have not warmed up enough to get out in the alpine heights. Salida, Colorado, is a town known for mountain biking year-round, so we thought we’d take a little road trip and see what Salida has to offer.

We arrived in the early afternoon, headed straight for Salida’s downtown area, and quickly found ourselves in the “Creative District.” Which is basically a state designation administered by the City of Salida’s Arts and Culture Department. This designation certifies that Salida contributes to Colorado’s economy through creativity, culture, and the arts. This means that there are many great galleries and shops for the visitor to enjoy and public art sprinkled throughout the downtown area.

Downtown is also a place to discover the Salida River Trail. A roughly 2-mile trail along the Arkansas River. It is an easy, pretty flat trail that is perfect for mixing in a bit of nature with the city.

Mountain biking is the main activity that we headed to Salida for. Joyce read about a gravel ride to a small mountain town called Turret, and we rented a pair of electric mountain bikes to experience it for ourselves. E-bikes were a new experience for us, and though we like to do active things, it was nice to have the assistance of a powered bike. The guy at the bike shop referred to it as the “hand of God.” It was a pleasant ride up a mountain road with very little traffic and amazing views as we got above the treeline. And it was an absolute blast coasting back down into Salida on our return trip.

We crafted a video about that ride alone that you can watch here.

The Mount Shavano Trout Hatchery was not on our radar until we saw the sign for it in town, so we thought we check it out, and we are so glad we did. The hatchery is one of the largest trout units in Colorado and produces approximately 500,000 catchable (10-inch) trout and about 2 million sub-catchable fish (2−5 inches) per year. Species such as rainbow, Snake River cutthroat, cutthroat-rainbow crosses, and kokanee salmon are raised at Mount Shavano.

But the fun part is getting to feed all those hungry little fish. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a very friendly ranger who offered us each our own bucket of fish food. We spent the next hour or so exploring the hatchery and tossing food into the pools, creating little feeding frenzies that never got old. We can only imagine how enjoyable this would be for kids.

During a visit to Salida, it is impossible to miss the large “S” on the side of the nearby hill. That is Tenderfoot Hill, and it is full of trails and beautiful views of the surrounding area. If you are not up for a hike, simply drive up Spriral Drive, which will get you almost to the top. It seems they’ve closed the final leg of the road and built a sizeable parking lot just short of the peak.

There is no shortage of activities and things to do in Salida, even during Colorado’s mud season. Because of this, we would say that Salida, Colorado is worth visiting. Check out our video where we highlight seven things to do in Salida.

The Pikes Peak Cog Railway

Our Travel Stories

The Pikes Peak Cog Railway is one of the easiest and most relaxing ways to summit a Colorado 14er.

Why read when you can watch? Check out our video from our trip and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

This train line was the idea of Zalmon G. Simmons, who, after a miserable two-day trip in 1888 on the back of a mule, decided there needed to be a better, more civilized way up the mountain. Rail operations began in 1890, but a train did not summit Pikes Peak until June of 1891. Over 100 years later, The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway runs daily, taking people to the top of America’s Mountain.

Recently we have started to develop an interest in trains, so we thought after 20 plus years of living in Colorado, it was time to check out if The Pikes Peak Cog Railway was worth it.

Our trip to Manitou Springs was in late October, but the train was still full. We bought our tickets well in advance, and we could reserve our seats for an added fee. Paying extra to sit together was super annoying, but it ensured that we got a window seat on the three-seat side which we feel is the best side.

The train left on time, and the ride up was pleasant though the seats are small and a bit cramped feeling. During the trip up, a conductor keeps everyone informed on the railway’s scenery, landmarks, and history. With so much to look at and learn about, you are at the top of Pikes Peak before you know it.

There is a brand new Pikes Peak Visitor Center waiting on the summit with clean bathrooms and hot donuts. We headed straight to the donuts because we read that sometimes they sell out quickly, but there was plenty for everybody that morning. There is also coffee, hot chocolate, hot dogs, and other snacks available and a gift shop, of course.

Please pay attention to the departure time because the train will leave the summit without you, as we witnessed that day. As the train began to move, frantic tourists ran on the platform, beating on the glass as the train just kept rolling. We were told they would need to wait until the next train to get down the mountain.

Overall, we feel The Pikes Peak Cog Railway was a worthwhile experience. It was a relaxing way to spend an autumn Colorado morning.

Here are some other notes we wanted to share:

Parking can be a challenge in Manitou Springs. We left our car at our hotel and walked to the train but expect to pay when you drive to the station.
It is possible to hike up Pikes Peak and take the train down, but there is not a guarantee the train will have room for you, so don’t count on it. It would be best to contact The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway before your hike if that is your plan.
Altitude can be an issue even for a brief stay on top of the mountain. So drink plenty of water leading up to your train trip to prepare for this. (Check out this article on preparing for a mountain vacation.)

Pawnee National Grassland Pawnee Buttes Hike

Destinations, Our Travel Stories

The Pawnee National Grassland in Eastern Colorado is not a place you are likely to find in a brochure for Colorado. It is dry, flat, has few trees, and zero mountains, but that does not mean it is not worth a visit.

As Joyce and I started to venture out from COVID-19 quarantine we thought the Grasslands would be a great place to start because it is not popular and has plenty of space to maintain social distancing. Plus with its lack of trees it was a great place to take our new drone out on its maiden flight.

If you’ve never experienced grasslands you can think of it as a grassy flat desert. On the drive out it looks like a whole lot of nothing but when you look closer you’ll discover an amazing ecosystem and hints of the American Wild West. The Pawnee National Grassland is a popular destination for bird watchers because it is home to Burrowing Owls, Long-billed Curlew, Western Meadowlark, Swainson’s Hawk, American Kestrel, Loggerhead Shrike, Mountain Plovers, Lark Bunting, and many other unique bird species (Click here for PDF guide to birding in the Pawnee National Grassland).

But if birds are not your thing, don’t worry, as you are almost guaranteed to see a few, if not many, Pronghorn – the fastest land mammal in the Western Hemisphere. Often you can spot them without even slowing down or leaving your car. If you do pull over to try and get a photo most will quickly run as they are quite shy.

By far the biggest attraction to the Pawnee National Grassland is the Pawnee Buttes. Two buttes that rise about 300 feet above the grasslands that can be seen from miles away. Hiking the Pawnee Buttes trail is a great reason to get out and explore the grassland. It is a pretty easy hike with little elevation gain but bring plenty of water and sunscreen because you’ll not find any trees. Also the weather out there can change quickly so go early to reduce your chances of getting caught in an afternoon thunderstorm.

On our recent trip (see video) we camped near the trailhead and woke up to very thick, unexpected, fog. As the sun rose the fog quickly burned off and we were on the trail before 9AM. Some areas near the trailhead are closed in Spring due to nesting birds but you can still get a great hike in and it does not limit your access to the buttes.

The trail is basically an out and back trail with a loop around each butte. You can skip the loops and still get a great hike in. It was a Monday morning in May and we probably saw about 10 people on the trail the whole day which made for a very peaceful hike. The air was warm and filled with sounds of many bird calls. Being able to see to the horizon in all directions is truly and American West experience.

When you find yourself looking for a bit of an “off the beaten path” Colorado adventure, consider heading to the Pawnee Buttes Trailhead.

Horsetooth Reservoir

Travel Photos

Horsetooth Reservoir

Always Be Traveling

A life of travel does not have to mean airplanes and passport stamps. It is more of an attitude I believe. Of being curious, passionately curious, about what the world contains.

I took this picture at Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins, Colorado, in February of 2016. Fort Collins is where I live and the reservoir is a major fixture in our community. So much so that I dare admit I take it for granted. But looking at this photo I am reminded of the value of trying to look at the places close to were we live with fresh eyes.

Because I believe that looking at the world with fresh eyes is at the heart of being a traveler.

Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Travel Photos

Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Joyce and I have had the privilege of riding on more than a few historic railroad lines but I’d have to say that the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad must be our favorite.

Over The Hills And Through The Woods

As you can tell from the name it starts in Durango, Colorado, and makes it way up to the old mining town of Silverton. The trip is slow and the train works its way up the mountains and if you sit in the open air cars you get a fair amount of soot on you. In fact they even sell safety goggles on the train in case anyone has trouble with soot in the eyes.

We lucked out on our trip because it is rare to see both trains lined up next to each other like this. While in Silverton the mountains got a massive rainstorm and there was a fear of mud slides so both trains where stuck in town. It made for a long day but this photo was worth it.

I should note that they were working on getting buses up to town in case the trains would not run.