Horsethief State Wildlife Area is located within the 123,000 acre McInnis Canyon National Conservation Area located west of Grand Junction Colorado. The area includes the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness of 75,550 acres. The trails can be accessed by foot or horseback.
Eric and I began our hike at 9:30 am in a lightly brisk temperature in the 60s. We followed the Pollock Bench Trail as it followed through surroundings of rock cliffs and majestic canyon.
This hike is an easy to moderate loop trail of approximately 5.5 miles. we diverted a bit and followed the Flume Canyon trail on the way back.
Dogs are allowed but there was no water to be found.
To get to here: From Grand Junction, Colorado, go south to Fruita and then 5 more miles west to the Colorado National Monument. After passing the Colorado River, look for a sign to Mc Innis State Park.
Sometime Eric and I like to hike places that are a little bit off the beaten path especially on holiday weekends when lots of people are out on the trails. This Memorial Day weekend, we went to this trail head that is fairly close to our home. It is called Three Forks. From Colorado Interstate 70, Take new Castle exit and go west through town. Turn onto Grass Valley until 325 Rd. Drive past Rifle Falls State Park, past Coulter Lake and park at Three Forks Trail head sign.
We hiked only 1.6 miles of this the trail on this memorial Day weekend because I was moving slow in photo mode and we had our aging dog with us. It climbs but not too difficult and is well marked. There are a few streams to cross. We saw a few beaver ponds, a mix of pine and aspen and a few early Spring Wildflowers.
