US Rocky Mountain Picket Wire Canyonlands Guided Auto Tour by US Forest Service (Colorado)

[Neal A. Tew]

UPDATE: This event is now FULL due to all the USFS reservations being taken.

US Forest Service Reservations are required! Please RSVP only once you have reserved for each person in your party. Space is quite limited. Also be sure to expand this section and click on the DETAILS section for more info. Also follow the Comments Thread below.

Be sure you book for 10/30:
https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/234166?tab=tours

From the official website:
<snip>
Overview
For a unique and unforgettable family experience, tour the Picket Wire Canyonlands. Located on the Comanche National Grassland south of La Junta, Colorado, these rugged and remote canyons are home to the largest dinosaur tracksite in North America! Guided auto tours are the easiest way to experience Picket Wire Canyonlands and learn about its amazing, colorful past. During the tour, knowledgeable guides will show you difficult to find dinosaur tracks, as well as share the history of the early pioneers and their historic ranches and homesteads, some of the rich Native American history, and the beautiful natural features of the canyons. This auto tour truly does offer something for everyone and is the only motorized access into the canyons.

You must provide your own 4-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle (e.g., truck or SUVs only). All-wheel-drive vehicles, ATVs and UTVs are NOT allowed to participate in the tour. The tour visits remote areas that are not within reasonable distance of a gas station or a place to purchase food or beverages. There is no drinkable water in the canyon. The shale on the access roads can cause flat tires, and because of this your vehicle must also contain a functional spare tire. Cell phone service is typically not available in the canyon.
This tour lasts eight hours. You must provide your own lunch, water, snacks, hat, sunscreen, water shoes, a full tank of gas and a good functional spare tire.

View Rally Point

 

[trail_runn4r]

Thanks for organizing this Neal!

I'm game for Friday night camping!

 

[Neal A. Tew]

Rally Point Notes:

Friday night camping possibilities to be discussed.....
More official info:
Details

• Duration 480 minutes
• Distance 80 miles
• Number of steps 20
• Accessible No
• Effort Moderate

Rates
`$Picket Wire Canyonlands Guided Auto Tour Rates`

TICKET/FEE TYPE	RATES
ADULT	$15.00
Reservation Fee	$1.00 per ticket, nonrefundable
Youth (ages 6-12)	$7.50
Reservation Fee	$1.00 per ticket, nonrefundable
Children (ages 5 and under)	$0.00
Reservation Fee	$1.00 per ticket, nonrefundable
Interagency Senior Pass	$7.50
Reservation Fee	$1.00 per ticket, nonrefundable
Interagency Access Pass	$7.50
Reservation Fee	$1.00 per ticket, nonrefundable
Late Cancellation Fee	No refunds within 14 days of tour

Need To Know

• 
  Guided Auto Tour Safety Checklist - 1 - WHO, WHEN, WHERE
  All tour participants 18+ years old must read through the safety checklist. Visitors on the tour are responsible for providing their own 4-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle. ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE, MINIVANS, RVs, SEDAN TYPE, ATV and UTV VEHICLES ARE NOT ALLOWED . Tours are limited to a maximum of 40 people and are conducted by a U.S. Forest Service tour guide. Please meet at the U.S. Forest Service, Comanche National Grassland office (1420 E. 3rd St. La Junta, CO 81050) at 8 a.m. the day of the tour. Plan for a full day; from 8 a.m. to about 4 p.m. You must stay with the tour group for the full duration of the tour. It is not possible to participate in a partial tour or leave the tour early due to access restrictions. Tours may be subject to cancellation due to adverse weather or road conditions. If a tour is cancelled for this reason, every attempt will be made to reschedule.
• 
  Guided Auto Tour Safety Checklist - 2 - YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
  Be aware of the potential risks and to take safety precautions at all times while on the tour. Children under the age of 18 are the COMPLETE responsibility of their accompanying adults/guardians. THERE MUST BE ONE ADULT FOR EVERY 5 CHILDREN. Please do not let your children wander away from the tour.
• 
  Guided Auto Tour Safety Checklist - 3 - PETS
  NO PETS ALLOWED.
• 
  Guided Auto Tour Safety Checklist - 4 - WATER
  Drinking water is not available on the tour. Bring a minimum of 2 quarts of water per person. Carry extra water in your vehicle.
• 
  Guided Auto Tour Safety Checklist - 5 - RESTROOMS
  Restrooms are available at the office (morning), at the dinosaur tracksite (noon), and at Rourke Ranch (last stop of the day at about. 3:00 p.m.).
• 
  Guided Auto Tour Safety Checklist - 6 - CLOTHING
  High-top hiking boots are recommended. --- Bring WATER SHOES or old sneakers for crossing the river at the dinosaur tracks. --- BE PREPARED FOR EXTREME WEATHER! Wear a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent and loose breathable clothing for hot weather and layer clothing for cold or changing weather conditions. --- Bring rain gear. It is often at least 10 degrees warmer in the canyon than on the plains above.
• 
  Guided Auto Tour Safety Checklist - 7 - GENERAL SAFETY
  Reptiles and insects live in the canyon. AVOID TALL GRASS , and WATCH WHERE YOU SIT AND PLACE YOUR HANDS AND FEET. --- Deer flies, mosquitoes, gnats and bees are common. Bring insect repellent and an EPI-PEN if you are allergic to insect stings. --- Trails in the canyon have loose rocks, wire, cactus, and animal burrows. WATCH YOUR STEP. --- Be prepared for changing weather conditions and high winds. If the weather looks like rain, the tour may leave the canyon early. --- Bring all medications needed for a 24-hour period. --- Bring a first aid kit.
• 
  Guided Auto Tour Safety Checklist - 8 - RIVER SAFETY
  Be aware - the river may look shallow but may have sudden deep drop-offs and the water can have a swift current especially after rains. --- Tour guides will determine whether or not the river is safe to cross based on its depth and current. You assume your own risk if you choose to cross the river. --- FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY CHILDREN MUST BE SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES.
• 
  Guided Auto Tour Safety Checklist - 9 - VEHICLE SAFETY
  Four wheel drive, high clearance vehicles and an experienced driver are required for the tour. --- The tour follows a narrow dirt road that may be extremely bumpy, please use 4-wheel drive if the tour guides request it. Your vehicle may scrape vegetation, have a flat tire, or have damage to your axle or frame if not careful. --- Sharp and blind curves exist. PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY AT ALL TIMES . --- Be aware that hikers, horse and bicycle riders, and wildlife share the road. Stop your vehicle only in flat locations.
• 
  Guided Auto Tour Safety Checklist
  Cell phone service is typically unavailable in the canyon.
• 
  Guided Auto Tour Safety Checklist
  COVID-19 Protocols:
  It is critical to respect the health and safety of yourself and others. Please practice social distancing among people outside of your own vehicle passengers. Everyone is required to wear a mask even if vaccinated due to the rapidly evolving Delta Variant in the following instances: when inside a U.S. Forest Service building, when in proximity to others outside of your vehicle.

 

[Neal A. Tew]

Be sure you book for 10/30:

Picket Wire Canyonlands Guided Auto Tour, PSICC - Recreation.gov

Explore Picket Wire Canyonlands Guided Auto Tour in PSICC, Colorado with Recreation.gov. Overview: For a unique and unforgettable family experience, tour the Picket Wire Canyonlands. Located on the Comanche National Grassland south of La Junta, Co

www.recreation.gov

 

[Neal A. Tew]

Telegram discussion if interested:

OB: Picketwire Auto Tour

t.me

 

[trail_runn4r]

Some more info and pictures on what to expect:

Picketwire Canyon, Colorado | Offroad Trail Guide & Map

Picketwire Canyon is the drainage of the Purgatory River across the southeast corner of the Comanche Grasslands in southeast Colorado near La Junta. It is an area rich in history and geology featuring early Indian rock art, an historic cattle ranch, an old Spanish mission and the largest...

www.trailsoffroad.com

 

[Ldstruckn]

Alrighty. I got my brakes fixed and we are finally ready for some adventures

 

[Neal A. Tew]

Alrighty. I got my brakes fixed and we are finally ready for some adventures

It'll be great to finally meet you!

 

[ZombieCat]

I’m booked for Oct 30!
(Yes, I’m from Maryland, but I’ll be passing through your area around this time)

 

[Neal A. Tew]

I’m booked for Oct 30!
(Yes, I’m from Maryland, but I’ll be passing through your area around this time)

It'll be great to have you. You'll win the distance award for sure!

 

[ZombieCat]

All,
I booked site #89 in the Lake Hasty Campground (John Martin Reservoir State Park) for October 29 & 30 (2 nights). It’s about a 45 minute drive from the rally point in La Junta. There’s space for another vehicle + 3 ppl, if anyone’s interested in sharing. Not many decent options in the immediate area and CO parks have coin op showers!

 

[Neal A. Tew]

All,
I booked site #89 in the Lake Hasty Campground (John Martin Reservoir State Park) for October 29 & 30 (2 nights). It’s about a 45 minute drive from the rally point in La Junta. There’s space for another vehicle + 3 ppl, if anyone’s interested in sharing. Not many decent options in the immediate area and CO parks have coin op showers!

Thanks for the offer! I believe everyone else is coming from the opposite direction so please don't take it personal if no one accepts.

How long are you in the area?

 

[OkieDavid]

Thanks for the offer! I believe everyone else is coming from the opposite direction so please don't take it personal if no one accepts.

How long are you in the area?

I'm coming up from Oklahoma, but right now I'm planning on dispersed camping the grasslands Friday night and probably somewhere back in Oklahoma Saturday night.

 

[OkieDavid]

For those who would rather watch than read, here's a youtube video I found from a prior tour. 2017 06 Comanche National Grassland - YouTube

 

[ZombieCat]

I’m just passing through for a few days on my return trip from Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada Range. This is my last long road trip of the year. I’m excited for dinosaur tracks and petroglyphs - thank you for hosting this event!

 

[Fortis Overland]

Me and the family are in for this one. See you guys there!

 

[Fortis Overland]

All,
I booked site #89 in the Lake Hasty Campground (John Martin Reservoir State Park) for October 29 & 30 (2 nights). It’s about a 45 minute drive from the rally point in La Junta. There’s space for another vehicle + 3 ppl, if anyone’s interested in sharing. Not many decent options in the immediate area and CO parks have coin op showers!

Looks like we need to meet. We're rocking a T@g Boondock also!

 

[ZombieCat]

All,
I booked site #89 in the Lake Hasty Campground (John Martin Reservoir State Park) for October 29 & 30 (2 nights). It’s about a 45 minute drive from the rally point in La Junta. There’s space for another vehicle + 3 ppl, if anyone’s interested in sharing. Not many decent options in the immediate area and CO parks have coin op showers!

Looks like we need to meet. We're rocking a T@g Boondock also!

Definitely, I’d love to hear about your experiences camping in the T@g. I just did a 51 day trip in my baby - what a blast! However, I’m going fast & light on this trip, tent only.

 

[Desmo900]

Hey everyone! I’m booked for this trip. I’ll be heading up from Austin TX. Looking forward to meeting up. Also I’m open to camping!

 

[OkieDavid]

Hey everyone! I’m booked for this trip. I’ll be heading up from Austin TX. Looking forward to meeting up. Also I’m open to camping!

I'm planning on boondocking at Vogel Canyon Picnic Area. I know is says picnic area in the title but if you go to the grasslands web page it says it allows camping. Its about 20 minutes south of where we meet up Saturday. if it's full (it does say heavy use) there's plenty of other places in the grasslands.