Some days it’s spring here in SW Colorado, some days it’s winter. On a spring day I went for a hike up to Park Point Lookout in Mesa Verde National Park. I like this hike for it’s views and this time of year, it’s solitude.
The hike normally starts from the end of the campground in the park but that is still closed so I had to park further out at the campstore/cafe parking lot. Everything was still closed which meant I had this entire day to myself. I didn’t see anyone else as I walked through the deserted campground to the trailhead. Your goal is to hike up the giant sandstone formation.
Once on the trailhead I was thrilled at the conditions. The day was a brilliant blue sky day with nice mild temps in the low 60’s. After a short walk through some grassland, the trail starts to climb. Plant diversity on the hillsides varies depending on elevation. I saw plenty of juniper, pine, oak, mahogany, sagebrush, and cacti! Switchbacks get you up to the top of the mesa quickly. Take your time if you aren’t used to elevation. You’re at 8427′ up here!
Once up on the top, the trail flattens out as you wind out to the end for the ultimate payoff. Views of the San Juan and La Plata Mountains, as well as Mancos and Montezuma Valleys spread out in all directions. It’s amazing this time of year because you can see all the snowy peaks.
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