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Jarad Heintzelman

This article is very well written, thank you! So well written, in fact, that I didn't do any other homework before making the trip up. In case anyone else is about to make the same mistake, let me share a couple of things that I learned the hard way: First, there are no dogs allowed in this open space. There are several signs pointing this out and the trailhead was actually quite busy, so I decided it best to follow the rules. It was far too hot to leave the pup in the car, even in early April, so I didn't get to enjoy the trails this time. Even if the weather had been cool enough to do so, there is also a sign warning of multiple break-ins at the trailhead, so make sure you don't bring anything you can't carry. Also worth mentioning is that the hike described here is posted as closed to the public, and the road that crosses the creek does have a closed gate across it. I'm sure that it could be managed with minimal trouble, and it definitely looked fun, just be aware that you'll be traveling through posted off-limits areas from the start. Still giving four stars here, because even though we didn't get to hike, the drive in was beautiful and I'm itching to go back without the pup. If you enjoy the more desolate and arid side of Colorado, you'll feel at home here.