Following are directions to the trails and potential viewing of the Little Bookcliffs Wild Horses. Also included are driving directions to the range.
Directions to the Range
Exit I-70 at DeBeque, CO. Drive towards the town of DeBeque, but instead of turning left to go through the town, drive past it and ignore the sign that says: {<-- Wild Horse Area 23 miles} After about 3.5 miles, there will be another Wild Horse sign that points left. Take that left onto X.5 Road. You will now be on washboard-gravel road. This will continue for 6.8 miles, until you get to the High Lonesome Lodge. The road forks here. Take the left fork (South Dry Fork) and drive right by the lodge.
In about 5.5 miles, there is a sign that says {<--To Wild Horse Area}; turn left and go over the cattle guard. Proceed on the dirt road with lots of cow tracks. (This is the easiest turn to miss)
In about 2 miles, a sign pointing left says:"Corcoran Wash." DON'T GO LEFT! About 4.2 miles later, you will have passed "The Gobblins" and will come to a bad section of road. It's passable when dry. About 1/2 mile later, the road will fork. Go left. (There should be a sign). The road is steep and there is a bad spot near the bottom. 1.5 miles from the last fork, cross a cattle guard and the road forks again. The sign says:
(arrow points up) Wild Horse Area Indian Park Entrance 8 miles
(arrow points right) Wild Horse Area N. Soda Entrance 2 miles
To get to North Soda, take the right fork. In about 1.5 miles, there is a cattle guard and a sign that says: "Entering Little Bookcliff Wild Horse Area." It is a short drive into North Soda; the road ends at the cabin. However, there are usually plenty of horses in this area. Look carefully and be there at the right time of day.
To get to Indian Park, Low Gap, Round Mountain, and Monument Rock, go back on the "loop" road driven in on. Proceed about 3 or 4 miles and the road forks. Stay right and after about 4 or 5 miles, a cattle guard crossing is the entrance to Indian Park. Shorly after entering the area, there is a sign (that isn't entirely correct) and a fork. To go to Low Gap and Round Mountain, stay left. This is the best chance of seeing horses. The road is about 6 miles and ends at a old gas pad from which Main Canyon can be seen.
To go to Monument Rock, stay right at the fork in Indian Park. This road is impassable if it is wet, and best to have 4WD even when dry. It's an interesting drive, but horses can be hard to find because it is heavily wooded area. About 7.5 miles later, Monument Rock is reached. If horses aren't in the big sage park near the rocks, there probably aren't any to be seen in this section of the range.
To go back to DeBeque via Winter Flats and Deer Park, get back on the "loop" road and turn right. There is a sign that says: DeBeque 19 miles
WILD HORSE VIEWING: Wild horses are most frequently seen in sagebrush parks scattered throughout the horse range. Travelling in small bands, some consist of a stallion and his harem of mares; others are bachelor bands made up of young stallions ages 1-6 years old. Horses use the higher country in spring, summer, and fall, moving to the lower country in winter where there is less snow and feed is more easily found. Some of the best opportunities for viewing during the summer months is the Indian Park or North Soda areas (the DeBeque/Winter Park Rd. entrance). During the winter, they may be spotted in Coal Canyon or Main Canyon (Coal Canyon entrance). NOTE: The herd is constantly on the move and viewing them is usually a matter of being at the right place at the right time.
HIKING/HORSEBACK RIDING: There are many hiking and horseback trails in the area. Please use existing roads and trails.
MAIN CANYON: 4 miles one way to the confluence of Cottonwood and Main Canyons. From the parking area at the Coal Canyon trailhead there is a gravel road leading up the hill to the right to a locked gate, with a go-round where you can take your bike or horse though. Follow the 4X4 road that traverses down to the lower reaches of Main Canyon (biking is allowed on this trail).About 1 mile up Main Canyon you will come to a canyon on your left, this is Spring Creek. Another 4 miles up Main Canyon is the confluence of Main and Cottonwood Canyons, at this point, Main Canyon goes to the right.
SPRING CREEK: 5 miles one way. The second canyon going left off of Main Canyon is Spring Creek Canyon. When you come to a Y, take the left fork. This is where the trail starts up some steep and treacherous terrain. It's about 3 miles to the stock tank and another 2 miles to where Spring Creek Trail meets up with the Hoodoo Trail.
ROUND MOUNTAIN TRAIL: 5 miles one way. At the confluence of Main and Cottowood Canyons, take a right and go through a gate. At this point the trail goes up the canyon a short distance and then up a hill out of Main Canyon. This section of the trail is steep and there are some rocks to climb. When you reach the gas well pad on top, take the road to Low Gap.
COTTONWOOD CANYON: 3 miles one way. At the confluence of Main and Cottonwood Canyons, take the left and continue on the trail which goes up the hill. The trail stays up on the side of Cottonwood Canyon and has some narrow spots with steep drop-offs. This leads to a road which will take you to Monument Rocks, a primitive BLM picnic area and campground.
COAL CANYON: 3 miles one way. NOTE: From December 1- May 30 Coal Canyon is closed to motorized travel. There is a go-round to the right of the locked gate for use by hikers and horseback riders. From the parking area travel straight ahead (north) it's about 3 miles to the gas pad.
HOODOO TRAIL: 4 miles. Starting at the gas well pad in Coal Canyon, take the upper road. After a short distance a trail starts following the right side of the canyon, periodically intersecting the road. The last part of the Hoodoo Trail winds it's way up the side of the canyon and is very steep.
COAL/HOODOO/SPRING CREEK TRAIL LOOP: 14 miles. Begin at Coal Canyon Trailhead, follow the road and the trail signs.
TELLERICO LOOP TRAIL: 10.2 miles round trip. From I-70 take the Horizon Drive exit, at the off ramp take a right (if coming from the east) (left if coming from the west)onto Horizon Drive. Stay on Horizon Drive until you come to H Road (this is the last road before you drive into the airport) take a left on to H Road and go for about 1/4 of a mile, the first real right will be 25 Road, turn right onto 25 Road, travel about 6 miles north of Highline Canel to the Tellerico Trailhead.