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. L.O. We look forward to your visit; here's hoping that you are inspired to linger a little while longer with us. The Dominguez Canyon Wilderness is the premier dry camping location within Dominguez-Escalante NCA. Owner/Operator of Canyon Adventures in Big Sky, Montana and former owner/operator of Sage Peak Outfitters' wilderness elk . with carved deer and elk, bear paws and a variety of anthropomorphs, or human-animal figures. For a cash-poor settler, it was a home. Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum closed for renovations through mid-May. Cap Smith said, Escalante Canyon is a hidden paradise. The Old Spanish Trail passes through the eastern part of the NCA. 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. 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. Wilderness Zone 1 (Lower Big and Little Dominguez canyons) will be managed with an emphasis on supplemental values (cultural resources and threatened and endangered species). 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. Our family has been outfitting in the Bob Marshall Wilderness since 1976. The Escalante Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) contains sensitive plant species, natural seeps, and several globally-unique plant associations including beautiful hanging gardens of small-flowered columbine and Eastwoods monkeyflower. The Old Spanish National Historic Trail recognizes the land route traveled by traders from 19th-century Mexico - today's New Mexico - and California. The 66,280 acres of Dominguez Canyon Wilderness are wholly contained within the boundaries of Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. Created by, Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. Josh works diligently alongside his experienced guides and camp crew to assure every hunt is outfitted with a memorable experience in the backcountry. They do their push-ups and scamper across red rocks. Red-rock canyons and sandstone bluffs hold geological and paleontological resources spanning 600 million years, as well as many cultural and historic sites. Big game, upland bird and migratory waterfowl hunting contributes millions to the regional economy and is a valued activity in the NCA. An official website of the United States government. The remote canyons also formed hideouts for outlaws and rustlers. The 66,280 acres of Dominguez Canyon Wilderness are wholly contained within the boundaries of Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. 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 . You must obtain a free, self-issued permit if you are taking an overnight trip. Grand Valley Ranger District The area also provides excellent heritage tourism opportunities, and the rugged canyons and bluffs here hold geological and paleontological resources spanning 1.4 billion years. The area possesses outstanding geological features, spectacular scenery, ecological diversity, two cascading mountain streams and opportunities for solitude and primitive unconfined recreation. It now provides private ranch access. JavaScript is disabled. The NCA consists of 210,000 acres of protected land in Delta, Montrose and Mesa Counties. Native Americans in the canyons would have seen it. The conservation areas three canyons, despite their wildness, are easily accessed by backpackers and hikers from U.S. 50 northwest of Delta. 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. 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 Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness was created by the Endangered American Wilderness Act of 1978. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Expect Class I and II water. It may not display this or other websites correctly. This scenic wonderland was declared a national wilderness site in 2009 and consists of 66,280 acres of land that is ripe for exploration. D-E NCA provides a host of mountain biking and OHV riding on existing roads and trails. Yet the visible cliffs are 300 million-year-old Chinle sandstone.. All Rights Reserved. One panel with an exploding star may depict the famed supernova of AD 1054. The upper end of Big Dominguez Canyon can be accessed on a primitive trail from a small trailhead near the Big Dominguez Campground. This would be my first time in NMwhat a gorgeous unit, filled with tremendous elk habitat. Welcome to Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. We bring several years of experience and in-depth knowledge of the area to each fair chase hunt. An official website of the United States government. The wilderness was designated by Congress in 2009 and is made up of most of what was previously the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Study Area. The majority of the wilderness is characterized by rugged basaltic ridges and outcroppings separated by deep . On the back of the boulder is the carved inscription: M.A. Use would depend on peril, weather, or simple opportunistic stops. 2023 Delta County Tourism. Multiple access points. 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. Later, bands of Utes traversed the canyons and engraved shield figures and a bison hunt on sandstone cliffs. A wagon axle recycled into a gatepost is proof that hardy Western Slope pioneers used everything they could find to establish themselves on the frontier. 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. (deer, elk, bear paws and human figures) to Ute style from 1600 to 1880, including shield figures and bison hunting. We are here to hunt elk. Dominguez Pueblo and the half-mile accessible trail to Escalante Pueblo remain open. Senior water rights are included for irrigating 350 acres, which historically has been used for raising alfalfa and grass hay, along with silage corn and pasture for the current livestock operation. Dominguez Canyon is a popular stop along the way, with primitive camping, a hike up Big Dominguez Canyon, hidden rock art, and a breathtaking waterfall. 2815 H Road That's one heck of a bull. Little Dominguez is the longer of the two at approximately 12 miles in length. You will encounter picturesque views, fascinating historical artifacts, as well as unique plants and geologic features. Park elevations range from 4,800 to 8,200 feet. Big Dominguez Canyon Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. I visited this place several times, and keep coming back. New member. Deluxe horse pack-in/tent camp 18 miles, Bob Marshall Wilderness. It lies west of Cottonwood Road to Elk Ridge, west to the Dark Canyon Wilderness boundary, and from the north Forest boundary to the south Forest boundary. The area was the traditional hunting area for Ute and Fremont Indians that migrated and hunted through the area. The maps are printed on waterproof, tear resistant paper. Instead, its just you in a red-rock wilderness among canyons lined with salmon-colored cliffs, boulders shaped like giant Hersheys Kisses, and monumental mesas that scrape against the dazzling blue sky. Ed Hake. As the snow piles up, I think of warm desert hikes. LockA locked padlock 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. Further up you cross into the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. Grand Junction BLM District Ninemile Hill: As a result of its close proximity to the Grand Valley, this area is valued for its easily available recreation opportunities for nonmotorized recreation. Sawmill Mesa Road and Dry Mesa Road provide Forest Service access to hunting in the fall and 4 wheel drive, ATV, and mountain bike access spring, summer, and fall. It's located southeast of Grand Junction and northwest of Montrose. The Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area 2) National Conservation Area located in western Colorado southeast of Grand Junction and northwest of Montrose. 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. LockA locked padlock Red-rock canyons and sandstone bluffs hold geological and paleontological resources spanning 600 million years, as well as many cultural and historic sites. This trail is 12.3 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,112 ft. The Escalante, Cottonwood, Little Dominguez and Big Dominguez Creeks cascade through sandstone canyon walls that drain the eastern Uncompahgre Plateau. The NCA is home to trophy mule deer, elk, black bear and desert bighorn sheep drawing sportsmen from around the globe. Opportunity exists for BLM to link into this system. Dominguez Outfitters is based in Whitewater, CO. We hunt in Colorado Game Management Units (GMU) 61 and 62. Arches and Canyonlands 4X4 Adventure from Moab 55 Recommended Full-day Tours from $324.37 per adult Canyonlands & Arches National Parks Airplane Tour 52 Recommended Air Tours from $329.00 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Moab Rappeling Adventure: Medieval Chamber Slot Canyon 38 Recommended from $110.00 per adult SPECIAL OFFER Dominguez Outfitters and our team have been providing packing and guiding services since 2009 on public lands. A 15-mile graded county road offers visitors a trip back to pioneer days through Escalante Canyon. All Rights Reserved. There are 115 miles of streams and rivers in the NCA, and there is habitat suitable for 52 protected species of animals and plants. With only about 500 in Colorado, they are a delight to see. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Dominguez Outfitters is based in Whitewater, CO. We hunt in Colorado Game Management Units (GMU) 61 and 62. The best overnight backpacking trip heads up Big Dominguez Canyon from the Bridgewater Trail and the Gunnison River for an out-and-back, 10-mile hike. Sign up for our daily email newsletter or to receive breaking news delivered to your inbox: Choose from several print and digital subscription packages, 2023 Durango Herald | Nearly 30 miles of the Gunnison River flow through Dominguez-Escalante NCA, supporting fish, wildlife and recreational resources. The Dominguez Canyon Wilderness is near Grand Junction, Colorado, near the the Uncompahgre National Forest. Etched on the back are the printed words: M.A. We typically hunt elk and deer, but we also offer opportunities to pursue other animals such as bears and desert bighorn sheep. Each map displays Wilderness Boundaries as well as Unit (GMU) boundaries. The Gunnison River itself is not part of the wilderness but does act as a boundary. They put their kids in school so they wouldnt have that life. Four years later, Tom McCarty robbed the Delta Bank only to be shot by a hardware store owner with a buffalo gun so powerful that it lifted the robber out of his saddle, dead before he hit the ground. 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. It lies about 300 miles east of Denver, and 30 miles south of Fruita. Known for its breathtaking scenery, Dominguez- Escalante NCA is a fine example of the spectacular canyon country of the Uncompaghre Plateau. In early summer, collared lizards can be found doing their push-ups and mating dances. Unaweep Canyon on the northern boundary of the NCA contains globally significant geological resources. This wilderness is located in the northern Blue Mountains of southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon and encompasses 176,557 acres. The second half of the hike descends the Pack Trail for 10 miles and then edges along the Gunnison River back to the trailhead. 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. The trail continues along the west side of the river to the mouth of Big Dominguez Canyon, nearly two miles from the trailhead. So let our local guides take you to the best places to hunt big game in GMU 61 and 62! Note: Mountain bikes or high clearance vehicles are required on the Tabeguache Trail (see the Tabeguache Trail brochure for more information). Find more information about floating the Gunnison River here. Extreme Long Range Hunting & Shooting (ELR). The most common access point is from the Bridgeport Trailhead or from the Gunnison River at the mouth of Big Dominguez Canyon. Restrooms and picnic tables are available for day-use recreation as well. The McCarty Trail near Escalante Canyon is named for a pair of brothers who robbed a Telluride bank with Butch Cassidy in 1889 and died in a bank shootout in Delta four years later. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Dominguez Canyon Wilderness is Big Dominguez Canyon , which has a 4.6 star rating from 488 reviews. Geologists call this missing strata The Great Unconformity. 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. | Equal Opportunity Employer D-E NCA offers outstanding opportunities to hunt for deer, elk, bear, mountain lion, waterfowl, turkey, and chukar. However, she recruited her fellow Minneapolis firefighter, Ben Pena, to join me. Sycamore Canyon Wilderness and Red Rock - Secret Mountain . 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. Elk Hunting Maps page on StartMyHunt.com. Petroglyphs include Archaic styles from 1000 B.C. 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. Grand Junction Field Office & Uncompahgre Field Office Andrew Gulliford is a professor of history and environmental studies at Fort Lewis College. Print/PDF map. Recently, I returned from my first elk hunt, which was in Colorado's Mount Zirkel Wilderness area. Look for petroglyphs on trailside boulders and desert bighorn sheep grazing below cliffs. 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. 1600 Reeder Mesa RoadWhitewater, CO 81527, License # 2681 You should plan on finding and purifying water from trickling creeks and potholes filled with rainwater. Ballantine Communications, Inc. Also, its a good idea to use a canister to protect your food from black bears. The easiest access is from SR-95. GENERAL SEASON RIFLE HUNTS Cabin Creek Camp. Elevations in the NCA are approximately 4,800 to 8,200 feet. Traces of the early miners and settlers who lived and worked there are also evident. 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. Fishing is year round in Big Dominguez Creek. Dominguez Canyon Wilderness lies in the heart of Dominguez-Escalante NCA, providing habitat for desert bighorn sheep, threatened species of fish and cactus, and opportunities to view its natural wonders by foot or horseback. 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. 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. 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 map below shows several points of access to the wilderness, including campgrounds and trailheads along most boundaries. A large boulder with stacked stone walls created a rough shelter in Dominguez Canyon. 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. South end of Dominguez Canyon Wilderness, near Montrose, CO. Photo by: camping near Naturita, Norwood, Nucla and Gateway, Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, blm.gov/visit/dominguez-canyon-wilderness. Colorado Units 61 and 62, Discover the Best Public Hunting Grounds in Western Colorado, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Hunting Information. Elevations in the NCA are approximately 4,800 to 8,200 feet. Farther along the trail, hikers can spot a large boulder with dry-laid stone walls underneath. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The feature service is full-featured and is available at world-room scales. Shapefiles of the entire wilderness system, as well as individual areas, are available for download below. Dominguez Canyon Wilderness consists of two major canyon systems, Big Dominguez and Little Dominguez. Located in western Colorado in Mesa and Delta counties. The Old Spanish National Historic Trail, a 19th Century land trade route, also passes through it. I will be hunting the Weminuche Wilderness Area in the fall of 2018 and I am seeking advice in regards to hunting pressure/outfitter presence in the wilderness area. The management plan for Dominguez-Escalante NCA specifically allows for hunting under state game laws. Rare plants and animals with prickly pear cactus and Indian rice grass grow within feet of narrow-leaf Fremont cottonwood trees. This is an area of rugged, water-carved mesas covered with dense stands of pinyon and juniper. 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. Photo: camping near Naturita, Norwood, Nucla and Gateway. You may encounter livestock when visiting the NCA. Sawmill Mesa: Immediately adjacent to the town of Delta, this area provides critical motorized links to the Uncompahgre National Forest. Just across the wilderness boundary is this historic cowboy corral from the 1914 Ennors homestead. The Gunnison River has carved an 800-foot-deep canyon within D-ENCA, providing boaters with a stunning experience. The 210,172-acre Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, which includes the 66,280-acre Dominguez Canyon Wilderness, was created by the 2009 Omnibus Public Lands Management Act and is part of the Bureau of Land Management's National Conservation Lands. Due to last minute changes, my normal hunting partner, Rita, was unable to go. Official websites use .gov Miles of trails wind within the NCA provide access to the Uncompahgre National Forest, which manages a successful multi-recreational trail system. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The NCA's terrain ranges from dry, high plains desert, mountain timber to deep canyons along the Gunnison River. Learn more about Hiking in the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. Joined. Continue up the canyon to find a campsite, since the lower sections of both Big and Little Dominguez Canyons are day-use only. We could see why this was a chosen hunting grounds, nearby was the creek . 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 feature service includes both wilderness polygons and non-wilderness . The canyons drain the northeastern corner of the Uncompahgre Plateau. Please click the link to the CPW for current Hunting Seasons, draw deadlines, and pricing of licenses. 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. A public wilderness feature service can be added in ArcGIS online or to other online maps. Leave artifacts as you find them. The country we hunt rivals any of the . Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Related Pages, More Colorado Information, Photos and Maps, Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. One of the last historic wooden suspension bridges in the Rocky Mountains, this bridge was moved to the Gunnison River from the Colorado River in 1935. Experience this 12.3-mile out-and-back trail near Whitewater, Colorado. 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 canyon is rich in remains of other days that, like place markers in a book, remind us where to turn for favorite stories, wrote Muriel Marshall in Red Hole in Time. It joins the larger Big Dominguez Canyon a little over a mile before their confluence with the Gunnison River. Peregrine falcons have nested nearby. 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). 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. Several hundred million years of geology are missing between the cliff tops and the creek bottom. Created Date: 20140413130415Z . Photos and wilderness maps courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management. 970-244-3000. Parts of the trail are not clearly defined, and there is no trail across the mesa between the canyons. Sounds like a great hunt. But of all the prehistory, history and tales told in the canyons, I am most interested in a specific petroglyph. Adventurous travelers can make a large loop using Big and Little Dominguez Canyons. Insured & Bonded 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. These canyons and the sloping plateaus between them offer some of western Colorados prime scenery, diverse wildlife, including desert bighorns and golden eagles, and excellent opportunities for hiking and backpacking. Hes gone now, and the peace and quiet that he cherished endures for all of us. It is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and was created as part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. 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. Stow your pack in your vehicle and head back to Delta to celebrate the wind, sand, and stars. It highlighted her success in tagging a her first elk as well as the eventful tracking and retrieving this nice 6x6. The BLM manages public lands for multiple uses and reminds visitors to be considerate of others enjoying their public lands. Where is the best place to hike in Dominguez Canyon Wilderness? For overnight stays, the Big Dominguez and Potholes campgrounds are available. Where the schist has been carved by millions of years of water runoff from the Uncompahgre Plateau to the west, there are pour-offs and pools as smooth as a newborns bottom. The Delta-Nucla/25-Mesa Road borders the NCA on the southeast and connects Delta to Nucla and the Divide Road, which follows the spine of the Uncompahgre Plateau. Release Agent for Glass Bedding Cerakote??? Multiple access points), The Escalante, Cottonwood, Little Dominguez and Big Dominguez Creeks cascade through sandstone canyon walls that drain the eastern Uncompahgre Plateau. Singing birds, flowing waters: Arizonas San Pedro riparian NCA, Poseys War in Bears Ears: Telling the Truth a Century Later, Q&A: Durango student helped lead the fight to carry and use Narcan on campus, Mason Lodge awards Bayfield High School student, among others, Longtime Southwest Colorado vineyard to open tasting room in Durango, Report a paper delivery issue/suspend delivery. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The Ute Tribes today consider these pinyon-junipercovered lands an important connection to their ancestral past. Collared lizards enact marvelous mating dances. Cactus Park: This area provides rich opportunities to motorized vehicle enthusiasts to experience the back country. State game laws, nearby was the traditional hunting area for Ute and Fremont Indians that migrated hunted... Wilderness is characterized by rugged basaltic ridges and outcroppings separated by deep cliff and... Characterized by rugged basaltic ridges and outcroppings separated by deep 2815 H Road that 's one of. Pueblo and the peace and quiet that he cherished endures for all of.!, Inc. also, its a good idea to use a canister protect..., providing boaters with a memorable experience in the NCA are approximately 4,800 to 8,200 feet trip back to days... To your visit ; here 's hoping that you are taking an overnight trip in... 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