I escaped the Leadville ice sheet for half a day, driving south to the lower and much warmer terrain of Buena Vista. From there I crossed the Arkansas River and hiked the Turret Trail in Browns Canyon National Monument. The environment felt more similar to parts of desert Arizona, which I appreciated, as it was a big change from the cold snowy conditions I've experienced the last two months in the heart of the Colorado Rockies. No big surprises on this trail--just a simple trek across rocky terrain, some canyons, and occasional grassland. It's probably a hot hike during the summer, so a warm sunny windless winter day might be ideal for a deep exploration of this national monument. Oh, and a winter hike will also yield a fantastic background of snow-covered 14,000 foot peaks set against semi-arid boulders, mesas, and cliffs.
Google map of Browns Canyon National Monument.
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