Mclellan Tract - Department of Wildlife Hunting Area
Description: The Arkansas River curves through the Mclellan Tract, pictured here near sunset in mid-June.
The Mclellan Tract is just off of County Rd FF and is primarily used for hunting turkey, deer and other small game. It is probably not a good idea to hike here during peak hours during hunting season.
There are several places to pull off of County Rd FF to access the Mclellan Tract, however only two of them leads to the public parking area and the others are for service vehicles. Overnight camping is allowed in the parking area, but campfires are forbidden.
Although it's not the ideal camping venue the Mclellan Tract is great for hiking, hunting, foraging, and bird watching.
Gourds surround this state wildlife area sign at the Mclellan Tract. They thrive even in drought like conditions.
Remnants from last year's wild gourd crop surely seeded this year's crop.
This rather large Russian Olive tree is just off of the trail and exhibits great health as is typical with this thrivant invasive species.
The hiking trail is obviously used by D.O.W. service vehicles. It is also littered with various wildlife tracks from deer, turkey, raccoon, and other small game.
The milkweed is in full bloom in Southeast Colorado during mid to late June.
The wild Current bushes provide nourishment for many types of local wildlife, particularly deer, birds, and raccoons. A Parks and Wildlife Ranger recently told me that an occasional black bear wanders through for berries like these in the Spring and for the wild sandhill plums in late Summer.
Where the prairie meets the river bottom. These Yucca seem unusually close to the water from this angle as there is a small cliff edge just over the ridge.
From the trail overlook the Arkansas River bends in a large U-shape. If you spent the entire day here you could witness sunrise and sunset over the river.
The shale hills run up to the river's edge, but the thicket of invasive tamarac and Russian Olive trees would make it difficult to find a good fishing spot.
The Rocky Ford Mclellan Tract is another one of the many quality Department of Wildlife hunting areas that make Southeast Colorado a great place to recreate.
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