Permits and instructions can be found on-site at the Escalante and Bridgeport boat launch. 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. Photo: camping near Naturita, Norwood, Nucla and Gateway. With only about 500 in Colorado, they are a delight to see. Messages. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Yet the visible cliffs are 300 million-year-old Chinle sandstone.. A ruby gem at the bottom of the world. Ranchers tried to make a living but the country was hard on horses and even harder on wives. A lock ( Extreme Long Range Hunting & Shooting (ELR). 543 Main Street #4Grand Junction, CO 81501email: info@canyonsassociation.orgphone: 970-263-7902, Learn more about Hiking in the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness, Click for a Guide to Recreation in Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. This scenic wonderland was declared a national wilderness site in 2009 and consists of 66,280 acres of land that is ripe for exploration. Parts of the trail are not clearly defined, and there is no trail across the mesa between the canyons. 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. Insured & Bonded The Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Areas is rough and rugged country, so backpackers need to be experienced in off-trail travel. The scenic canyon also boasts day hikes and historic sites like the old Captain Smith Cabin, which was built in 1911 by a Civil War veteran. GENERAL SEASON RIFLE HUNTS Cabin Creek Camp. | This National Conservation Area includes the 66,280 acre Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. In early summer, collared lizards can be found doing their push-ups and mating dances. Ed Hake. This trail is 12.3 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,112 ft. The Dominguez Canyon Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area located southeast of Grand Junction in western Colorado.The 66,280-acre (268.2 km 2) wilderness area established in 2009, the largest BLM roadless area in the state of Colorado, includes two major canyon systems that drain the northeastern corner of the Uncompahgre Plateau.The Wilderness Area is a portion of the larger Dominguez . Find more information about recreating in Dominguez Canyon Wilderness here. Dominguez Canyon Wilderness consists of two major canyon systems, Big Dominguez and Little Dominguez. No permit is required for backpacking. Recently, I returned from my first elk hunt, which was in Colorado's Mount Zirkel Wilderness area. The map below shows several points of access to the wilderness, including campgrounds and trailheads along most boundaries. 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. This area is rich in history, providing the only access route for settlers in Escalante Creek to Delta in the 1800s and early 1900s. 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. It now provides private ranch access. 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. We can also help you properly fill out your hunting license application form. You are using an out of date browser. Pocket - Sliker Hill - Dutton Hill: This area is located in the northwest quarter of the unit and can be accessed by FR 231 (Woody Mountain Road) from Flagstaff. A lock ( The Old Spanish National Historic Trail, a 19th Century land trade route, also passes through it. Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area Congressionally designated in 2009 for its distinctive canyon country, the Dominquez-Escalante National Conservation Area includes the remote Dominguez Canyon Wilderness, recreation along the Gunnison River, and a network of off-highway vehicle trails. Access the south side: from Delta, travel west on Highway 348 and turn right onto 25 Mesa Road/D Road. Photos and wilderness maps courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management. Certainly, outlaws did. It may not display this or other websites correctly. 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. Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS I understand this is an old thread, but want to reply anyway. It joins the larger Big Dominguez Canyon a little over a mile before their confluence with the Gunnison River. 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. The Dominguez Canyon Wilderness is near Grand Junction, Colorado, near the the Uncompahgre National Forest. LockA locked padlock The 66,280 acres of Dominguez Canyon Wilderness are wholly contained within the boundaries of Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. A 15-mile graded county road offers visitors a trip back to pioneer days through Escalante Canyon. 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 | In 2009 66,280 acres (26,820 ha) were also designated as the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. Funds for Delta County Social Media and PR provided from a Marketing Matching Grant from the Colorado Tourism Office. 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. Visitors interested in the geology of the area can stop at the Gunnison Gravels Area of Critical Environmental Concern, which contains geologic evidence of the ancestral route of the Gunnison River through Unaweep Canyon. For more information on hunting seasons, how to get your hunting license, and more, please visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website. However, she recruited her fellow Minneapolis firefighter, Ben Pena, to join me. The terrain is characterized by large mesas dissected by deep red slick-rock canyons and arroyos. Campsites are first come, first serve. Due to last minute changes, my normal hunting partner, Rita, was unable to go. We are proud to say that we have enjoyed a very high success rate, and we show no signs of slowing down. Continue up the canyon to find a campsite, since the lower sections of both Big and Little Dominguez Canyons are day-use only. If you really want to escape the world and revel in the wild, then hike the McCarty Trail to Historic Gunnison Pack Trail for a three-day trek. All Rights Reserved. Equal Opportunity Employer Where is the best place to hike in Dominguez Canyon Wilderness? The country we hunt rivals any of the . Please check the current streamflow data and weather before your boat trip. It could be SN 1054, a supernova which exploded in the year 1054 and is astronomys most famous supernova. If youre interested in learning more about Dominguez Outfitters, we highly recommend reading the article. 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. Miles of trails wind within the NCA provide access to the Uncompahgre National Forest, which manages a successful multi-recreational trail system. This small but dramatic petroglyph may be a depiction of the supernova that exploded in 1054 and was seen around the world. The management plan for Dominguez-Escalante NCA specifically allows for hunting under state game laws. Scenic auto touring, bouldering and multi pitch climbing occur along East Creek. My husband and I spent our honeymoon in sun canyon and . The Big Dominguez Trail accesses some of the most popular areas of the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness, including waterfalls and rock art. Known for its breathtaking scenery, Dominguez-Escalante NCA is a fine example of the spectacular canyon country of the Uncompahgre Plateau. 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. D-E NCA offers outstanding opportunities to hunt for deer, elk, bear, mountain lion, waterfowl, turkey, and chukar. Dominguez Canyon Wilderness consists of two major canyon systems, Big Dominguez and Little Dominguez. 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. Email him at gulliford_a@fortlewis.edu. Unaweep Canyon on the northern boundary of the NCA contains globally significant geological resources. A variety of wildlife call the area home, including desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, golden eagles, turkeys, elk, mountain lions, black bears, andcollared lizards. Owner/Operator of Canyon Adventures in Big Sky, Montana and former owner/operator of Sage Peak Outfitters' wilderness elk . The wilderness was designated by Congress in 2009 and is made up of most of what was previously the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Study Area. Nearly 30 miles of the Gunnison River flow through Dominguez-Escalante NCA, supporting fish, wildlife and recreational resources. We are here to hunt elk. | Our family has been outfitting in the Bob Marshall Wilderness since 1976. This is a popular area for relatively unimproved exploration via hiking and horseback riding. This wilderness is located in the northern Blue Mountains of southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon and encompasses 176,557 acres. McCarty was headed for a canyon hideout, but instead, he and his brother died in the dust of Deltas dirt streets. It took a special kind of woman to make an Escalante Canyon ranchers wife, Marshall wrote. Dates Visit Length Price; 10/2911/04: 7 DAYS: $6,500 ea: 11/711/13: 7 DAYS: $6,500 ea: 11/1611/22: . Thanks to Chinese astronomers, we have a date. The canyons test every hiker since there arent rangers, a visitor center, paved parking lots, or detailed trail maps. The Tabeguache trail, a long distance mixed use trail popular with mountain bikers, motorcycle riders and jeep enthusiasts, also runs through the Ninemile Hill area. Becky Wolfe was kind enough to write a piece about us which was published in Huntin Fool Magazine. The Escalante, Cottonwood, Little Dominguez and Big Dominguez Creeks cascade through sandstone canyon walls that drain the eastern Uncompahgre Plateau. New member. Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area (NCA) comprises 210,172 acres of protected public lands, and includes the 66,280-acre Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. Unaweep Canyon on the northern boundary of the NCA contains globally significant geological resources. Dec 18, 2017. For a cash-poor settler, it was a home. A large boulder with stacked stone walls created a rough shelter in Dominguez Canyon. Unlike many of the better known wilderness areas that are part of National Forest lands, Dominguez Canyon Wilderness occupies land controlled by the BLM. Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area was designated with broad local, regional and national support by Congress in 2009. 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. Unit 61 has a very limited number of licenses and requires preference points to draw. Little Dominguez is the longer of the two at approximately 12 miles in length. 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. The 142-mile Tabeguache Mountain Bike Trail, which connects Grand Junction to Montrose, goes from Cactus Park on its ascent from Grand Junction to the top of the Uncompahgre Plateau. Temperatures soar in the canyons and little shade is found. The Gunnison River has carved an 800-foot-deep canyon within D-ENCA, providing boaters with a stunning experience. Yet the visible cliffs are 300 million-year-old Chinle sandstone. Little Dominguez Creek flows year round, creating a long, narow riparian zone inhabited by many reptiles, birds and mammals. There is Ute rock art nearby, but this panel looks old, very old, and it seems to be the image of a star exploding. Access the north side via Dominguez Campground: from Grand Junction, travel south US-50. Date Hiked: May 22, 2016 Distance: 6.6 mi (RT) to Waterfall, longer options available Elevation Gain: 770 ft Elevation Min/Max: 4,686 to 4,981 ft Trailhead Lat/Long:38 50' 58" N; 108 22' 21" W Managing Agency: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) The conservation area allows for a wide variety of activities including hiking, boating and wildlife viewing. The individual who sold the property was granted a life lease on it - meaning he was allowed to live out the remainder of his life on the property and continue to use it as he had for so many years before. You will encounter picturesque views, fascinating historical artifacts, as well as unique plants and geologic features. 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. Colorado Units 61 and 62, Discover the Best Public Hunting Grounds in Western Colorado, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Hunting Information. 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. A variety of wildlife call the area home, including desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, golden eagles, turkeys, elk, mountain lions, black bears, and collared lizards. Hunting Information HUNT AREA INFO WILDERNESS AREA HUNT AREA HARVEST REPORT HUNTER SAFETY The area possesses outstanding geological features, spectacular scenery, ecological diversity, two cascading mountain streams and opportunities for solitude and primitive unconfined recreation. 6. But of all the prehistory, history and tales told in the canyons, I am most interested in a specific petroglyph. Photos (702) Directions. email: gjfo_webmail@blm.gov. 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. This would be my first time in NMwhat a gorgeous unit, filled with tremendous elk habitat. The NCA is home to trophy mule deer, elk, black bear and desert bighorn sheep drawing sportsmen from around the globe. Native Americans in the canyons would have seen it. Desert bighorn sheep were re-introduced in the 1990's and the growing herd can often be seen grazing at the foot of the cliffs in the wilderness. Visitors can rest in the shade of cottonwoods and, using binoculars, spy birds like cliff swallows, canyon wrens, ravens, bald eagles, goldfinches, Western towhees, orioles, hummingbirds and, my favorite, small blue gray gnat catchers. 1:100,000 scale maps for Colorado's Wilderness areas. Please close gates behind you, beware of sheep dogs and avoid interfering with livestock operations. Elevations in the NCA are approximately 4,800 to 8,200 feet. View Website. Billy Rambo had a life estate in the canyon and a family house on Little Dominguez Creek. The Old Spanish Trail passes through the eastern part of the NCA. Eons of time and gushing water have taken the hard rock of Uncompahgre schist and sculpted it into small wading pools perfect for summer relaxation. From 1829 to 1848, this trail was the shortest-known route from Santa Fe to Los Angeles, through red-rock mesas, below snow-capped peaks, and fording untamed rivers, following a loose network of Native American footpaths across the Colorado Plateau and Mojave Desert. Featured image provided by BLM / Bob Wick. Ninemile Hill is easily identifiable by its communication towers along the crest. Please click the link to the CPW for current Hunting Seasons, draw deadlines, and pricing of licenses. Elevations in the NCA are approximately 4,800 to 8,200 feet. 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. Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. L.O. This national resource is known for its . The canyon is unique because it has drainages running east and west out of the canyon. Nearly 30 miles of the Gunnison River flow through Dominguez-Escalante NCA, supporting fish, wildlife and recreational resources. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions. View the alert: Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum closed for renovations through mid-May. 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. Then full use and control of the property would transfer to the BLM. Cap Smith said, Escalante Canyon is a hidden paradise. Please call 970-882-5600 for assistance. Rare plants and animals with prickly pear cactus and Indian rice grass grow within feet of narrow-leaf Fremont cottonwood trees. Official websites use .gov This wilderness, which is characterized by diverse ecosystems, features two major canyon systems which drain the northeastern corner of the Uncompahgre Plateau. It provides shelter during summer rainstorms. Wooley Built This House March the 18, 1901.. Thank you for visiting deltacountycolorado.com! Water runs through Little Dominguez Creek year-round, creating a great habitat for many birds, mammals, and reptiles. Safety Considerations, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Dominguez Pueblo and the half-mile accessible trail to Escalante Pueblo remain open. The route takes three to five days. There are 115 miles of streams and rivers in the NCA, and there is habitat suitable for 52 protected species of animals and plants. Farther along the trail, hikers can spot a large boulder with dry-laid stone walls underneath. 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. Nice bull and very good write up congrats!! Wooley Built This House March the 18, 1901.. 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 . Besides its rich wilderness and scenic qualities, the area echoes with human history. An official website of the United States government. It worked out well since Ben's an experienced hunter and many grades . What to Expect. There is evidence all through Dominguez Canyon wilderness of thousands of years of use for hunting, fishing and as a travel corridor connecting the Gunnison River Valley with the upper Uncompahgre plateau. 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. by Eric Jensen. Not only did an enlightened Congress vote to preserve the 209,000-acre landscape, but the one private property owner in Dominguez Canyon agreed to donate his familys homestead to the Bureau of Land Management and let it revert to the public domain. Choose just the GMU boundaries or add the elk concentration data as well. Dominguez Canyon Wilderness within the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area is a special place. In a duel on horseback with four bullets, they killed each other having just shared a noon dinner. 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. 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. The large canyon in the 66,000-acre Dominguez Canyon Wilderness is accessible by canoe from the Gunnison River or by a metal bridge from the Bridgeport Road south of Grand Junction. Completely unfitted em for cattle ranching.. The remote canyons also formed hideouts for outlaws and rustlers. Please be respectful of and conserve the landscape for current and future generations to enjoy. We typically hunt elk and deer, but we also offer opportunities to pursue other animals such as bears and desert bighorn sheep. 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. The NCA's terrain ranges from dry, high plains desert, mountain timber to deep canyons along the Gunnison River. That's one heck of a bull. So let our local guides take you to the best places to hunt big game in GMU 61 and 62! Official websites use .gov The best overnight backpacking trip heads up Big Dominguez Canyon from the Bridgewater Trailand the Gunnison River for an out-and-back, 10-mile hike. We look forward to your visit; here's hoping that you are inspired to linger a little while longer with us. We are 15 miles from the nearest trailhead, a three-hour drive beyond that from the nearest stoplight, and two days' drive beyond that from home. Also help you properly fill out your Hunting license application form prehistory history... Offer opportunities to hunt for deer, elk, bear, mountain lion, waterfowl,,! For deer, elk, black bear and desert bighorn sheep drawing sportsmen from around the.! Collared lizards can be found on-site at the Escalante, Cottonwood, Little Dominguez Creek year-round, creating a,... 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