Hiking
The West End of Colorado is a hiker's paradise, offering a wealth of trails, stunning scenery, and a rich cultural heritage. The area is home to red rock canyons, mesas, and mountains providing a breathtaking backdrop for your hiking adventure. There are a variety of trails to choose from, ranging from easy walks to steep, technical adventures in the back country.
Colorado's Rugged Playground
Ditch the crowds and explore the raw, untamed beauty of the West End. The West End offers diverse hiking trails for every level, winding through dramatic landscapes that will test your legs and leave you breathless.
Rugged Terrain: Hike through canyons carved by time, navigate rocky switchbacks, and conquer challenging climbs - the West End offers a true adventure for those who embrace the outdoors.
Diverse Trails: Choose from family-friendly paths perfect for beginners to multi-day backpacking journeys through remote wilderness, pushing your endurance and offering unparalleled scenery.
Discover the Unexpected: Keep your eyes peeled for hidden waterfalls, ancient petroglyphs, and diverse wildlife as you explore the varied terrain.
Panoramic Vistas: Witness breathtaking panoramas that stretch across snow-capped mountains, painted deserts, and vast mesas. Each turn unveils a new perspective of the West End's untamed beauty.
Starry Nights: Under the vast, unpolluted skies, escape the light pollution and witness the Milky Way in all its glory, a sight guaranteed to leave you awestruck.
Rich History: Delve into the region's fascinating past by visiting historical sites and exploring remnants of ghost towns, remnants of the area's vibrant mining history.
Lace up your boots and get ready for an unforgettable journey! The West End awaits with its diverse landscapes, rich history, and endless opportunities for exploration. Be prepared for the challenge, and discover the true beauty of Colorado's rugged wilderness.
Our Favorite Hikes
Horsecollar Arch Trail
This historic cow trail was constructed by the CCC crews who operated in the West End during the 30's to access water for livestock. The trail follows a gentle gradient as it approaches the canyon rim, then switchbacks down steeply on a rocky path to the drainage bottom. Follow the slickrock bottom until you come to the "arch" where the water has back cut a massive hole behind the cliff producing a 100 ft tall pouroff. Traverse around to the right (northeast) where the trail continues down to the San Miguel River.
.6 miles -397’
Catch-em Up Trail
This historic cow trail was used to drive stragglers up to the mesa top while the main herd was driven up an easier route to the east. There are a few places where abutment walls were created to navigate the extremely steep draw which the trail negotiates. This trail is technical, steep and challenging, but offers hikers spectacular views of the Paradox Valley and Dolores River below .
1.4 miles 1,100’
Backcountry safety
The West End is a wild, remote and rugged playground. There is little cell service and a network of thousands of roads and trails. Many of our backcountry trails require route finding skills and take you great distances over challenging terrain. Be sure you’re prepared for those big backcountry adventures:
Bring plenty of food and always more water than you think you’ll need.
Have a small first aid kit and bike tool kit. It’s not uncommon to be the only person for miles out here, you have to be self-reliant.
Check the weather forecast before you go, storms can move in quickly. Many roads can become muddy and impassible when wet.
Bring a map, download offline maps and familiarize yourself with the trail before heading out of service.
Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back.
It’s always best to ride with a friend.
Did you know? Calling 911, even when your phone shows no service, can alert the authorities to your location
