Hiking Conejos County Colorado

"While climbing through a spruce-fir stand on a well-used game trail, following it closely as it passes from dense timber to sunny glade to hidden spring and back into dark, coniferous forest, I have the impression of walking through an immense mansion, with as many rooms and corridors as I have time to explore" -From The South San Juan Wilderness Area by John A Murray

There's something about the mountains in the Colorado San Juan Wilderness area that make you stop and take notice. Perhaps it's the feeling that you are so far away from the rest of the world. Or perhaps it is the feeling that even though deep into the forest, you are not alone. There is history here, and the stories of those that have forged these trails and hiked these glades pulse through the stillness of the air. Life is all around you. And yet it is still. The majestic San Juan Mountains offer cascading streams, rivers teeming with trout, sweeping meadows, craggy cliffs and forest glades. And what better way to experience it than by strapping on your hiking boots and going on a walkabout.

The Southern Colorado San Juan Wilderness consists of 158,790 acres of rugged unspoiled terrain. Considered by many to be the wildest area of Colorado, it offers 180 miles of trails at elevations ranging from 8,000 ft. to over 13,000 ft. There are more than thirty trails on which you can explore this wilderness. From short circuit hikes along winding streams to long upwards trails that reward you with breathtaking views, you can pick your own journey. Colorado trails run from a short jaunt of one mile to an expedition of 23 miles. Come and explore our miles of trails and forest service roads that are just waiting to exceed your expectations.

If you're really up for a Colorado challenge, check out the various hikes along the Continental Divide. The Divide runs through the western edge of Conejos County through the South San Juan Wilderness and the Rio Grande National Forest offering the true adventure hiker an opportunity of a lifetime. For trail recommendations visit the USDA Forest Service website and the GORP website.

Some great books that offer detailed hiking trails maps and lengths are: The South San Juan Wilderness Area: A Hiking and Field Guide by John A. Murray and Hiking Colorado's Weminuche and South San Juan Wilderness Areas, 2nd (Regional Hiking Series) by Donna Lynn Ikenberry.