Second of Colorado Parks and Wildlife – Park #2
It was scorching hot. There was no shade at I was camped at the top of a ridge. Wind was constantly flapping the tent and awning around. On a spring or fall day it may have been tolerable but not the July 4th weekend. The public draw to this park is boating and fishing but not much else.
John Martin Reservoir is in far southeast plains of Colorado. Due to it being remote there where camping spots available. Oddly one section had no reservations, and now I know why. Those spots had no view and felt like the Nevada desert.
July 4th evening was colorful from a distance. The park prohibited fireworks, but all around in the distance, the locals were setting them off. Clear skies and stars shown. Flashes and booms seen and heard off the distance.
Rode the one surprising good single track trail. It is part of the Sante Fe Trail which follows the Arkansas River and feeds the resevoir. The ‘Red Shin trail’ cicumvented the surprisingly large park and looped to remote sections. The surprise is that very few people hiked or rode the trail. Overgrowth and rain kept a short carpet of weed brush on the jeep trail wide trail. It was rocky but maintained well enough to ride comfortably. Just need to keep an eye out for gopher holes and snakes. Lots of snakes, turtles, and eagles. The story was that Red Shin was an Indian famous for holding out alone on one of the rocky outcroppings and thwarted attempts to subdue him, from his own tribe. More of a legend perhaps. Not much high ground anywhere around here.
Began to ride up to Sand Creek Massacre area but abandoned the trip after gas got low and then headed back. Enough to for me, I pulled camp and came home early.
Remainder of the weekend was hot and humid, afternoon rain came in everyday but never dropped much water.
This remote park ticks one off my list of 41 Colorado State Parks to visit. Never to return. The towns of Lamar, Las Animas, Le Junta, Eads and others are far remote and very rural. No mountain biking around here and any good riding was likely road oriented.
Art huh, I was not looking close enough I guess.
