Picketwire Canyon - North America's Largest Dinosaur Tracksite

Description: With over 1,300 dinosaur tracks to discover on a quarter mile long site along the Purgatoire River, the Picketwire Canyon is an outdoor exhibition of the Jurassic Period, right here in Southeast Colorado.


Published: 07/14/2020
Byline: Hart

Picketwire Canyon - A Southeast Colorado Treasure 

picketwire canyon dinosaur tracks seconews.org

A view from the canyon edge. There is overnight camping available with sites near the canyon rim.

Picketwire Canyon Dinosaur Tracks seconews.org

The view from the canyon rim is a lot to take in. If you are going to hike to the dinosaur tracks I would recommend going in the Spring or Fall. If you do go in the Summer, leaving camp at dawn is the best way to shorten your exposure during the heat of the day. We didn't leave camp until about 7:30 and got back about 3:30, but we also used a shortcut.

Remember to bring plenty of water, sunscreen and protective clothing as seasonal hot weather can increase your risk of heat-related injuries.

picketwire canyon dinosaur tracks seconews.org

Watch your footing while taking in the view. Picketwire Canyon is a long way from the hospital. You should also make sure to pack in plenty of water regardless of what time of year you go. 

picketwire canyon dinosaur tracks seconews.org

The Cedar trees had a large crop of inedible berries.

This picture is taken from the start of the shortcut that connects with the main trail just before the Dolores Mission and Cemetery. Compared to starting at the trail head (Whither's Trail), it's just over a mile shorter each way to the dinosaur tracks and back. As you can see good hiking shoes or boots are a requirement, and you should be mindful of the cactus which is plentiful in the Prickly Pear, Barrel, and Walking Stick varieties.

Indian Writing, Picketwire Canyon, seconews.org

Long before the Catholic settlement, Picketwire Canyon was well traveled and marked by local indigenous people. Watch for lots of Indian writings as they are common in the region and plentiful in the canyonlands.

Ruins, Catholic Settlement, Delores Chapel graveyard

A friendly reminder not to damage the ruins of the Dolores Mission and Cemetery any further. Some of the tombstones have intricate details reflecting the area's culture.

Dolores Mission, ruins, cemetery, seconews.org

The cemetery has graves from the late 1800's, wildflowers, and reminders of times long past.

Dolores Mission ruins cemetery seconews.org

The morning light causes the walking stick cactus to cast a shadow over this tombstone.

Picketwire canyon dinosaur tracks seconews.org

There's not a lot of shade along the trail, but we took a moment to have a drink and cool off whenever we could find some.

Dinosaur tracks, Apatasaurus Shoulder seconews.org

 

Picketwire canyon dinosaur tracks seconews.org

 

Picketwire canyon dinosaur tracks seconews.org

You have to cross the Purgatoire River to get to most of the dinosaur tracks. They are easier to spot after a rain.

Picketwire Canyon Dinosaur Tracks seconews.org

Searching for tracks in the river is easier with a big stick. As long as the dog is high energy and can handle the heat it's a great place for exercise.

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Fossil picketwire canyon dinosaur tracks seconews.org

This image of this large nautilus fossil was captured while hiking in the Picket Wire Canyon lands.

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