MIKE'S HIKES - Western Slope Conservation Center

Mike’s Hikes is a series of summer hikes throughout the Western Slope on public lands WSCC is actively working to protect. We offer hikes for all abilities and interests, with the goal of connecting our community to local public lands. Some of our hikes feature local experts on natural and cultural history. See below for our 2022 schedule of hikes!

2022 Hike Calendar

April 22nd Earth Day Hike @ Cool Rock Canyon in Gunnison NCA

April 30th Birding Hike at Fruitgrowers Reservoir

May 21st Art Hike with Cedar Keshet @Paonia River Park

May 28th Archeology Hike with John Zachman

June 25th Paonia Springs Hike

July 23rd Nocturne Trailside Art with Cedar Keshet

September 3rd Plants of the Inter-Ocean Pass with Ewelina Bajda

September 26 Dark Canyon Thru-Hike with Mike Burkley and Tim Shortell

Explore our past hikes on COTrex

This mapping database lets you see where Mike's Hikes have taken us in the Gunnison Watershed

EXPLORE COTREX

Fruitgrower’s Reservoir

Fruitgrower's Reservoir Overview: Fruitgrowers Reservoir is a renowned birding spot in Harts Basin just northeast of Delta. Designated an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society, it is known for being a critical stop-over for 60% of the world's Greater Sandhill Crane population. We will be hiking along the western edge of the reservoir as well as the northern edge along the road to view Harts Basin to see various species of waterfowl, Sandhill Cranes,

McCarty Bench

McCarty Bench Overview: Located in the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area & Dominguez Canyons Wilderness Area, this is a moderate out-and-back, totaling 4-6 miles with up to 1,000 feet elevation gain. The McCarty trail offers an abundance of solitude and natural beauty. The trail composition is similar to the Grand Staircase-Escalante region in Utah - and contains Pinyon Pines, Juniper and smaller cacti. From the first bench and then at the level mesa top, one has

Potter Canyon

Potter Canyon Overview: The canyon walls rise about 500-800 feet above the canyon floor. Geologically, the lower layer is the Morrison Formation and the top layer is the Burro Canyon formation. On a previous Mike's Hike up a neighboring canyon, Geologists, Dr. Noe, mentioned that both of these rock geological layers were very promising for finding dinosaur tracks. The Morrison formation, especially on the front range of the Rockies, is known for its extensive dinosaur

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Mike’s Hikes