The Crystal River Valley, South of Redstone, Colorado

A familiar trail I've avoided for a while was a perfect place for a short hike last Saturday afternoon.  Few other places have sage brush, scrub oak, and aspen trees.  Because colors are changing later this year, the scrub oak is peaking while the aspens are changing.  It's a great time for landscape photography, especially when using a polarizing filter.

This unmarked trail goes by many names, and is on few maps.  Driving north from Placita to Redstone, the road descends into a canyon.  On the right is a turn-out, and on the left one can pick the grade of a long-abandoned road bed climbing the western slope of the valley.  If you're coming from Redstone, it's about three and a half miles south of the coke ovens on highway 133.

Horsethief Canyon SWA, Grand Junction, Colorado

Northwest of Grand Junction is the Horsethief Canyon State Wildlife Area.  A half-dozen or so trailheads access many canyons to the north of the Colorado National Monument.

Devil's Canyon

This area is high desert, and travelers unaccustomed to this environment should bring plenty of water and pay attention to their route so they can find their way back.