Monte Vista Walking Trail
check with the trail manager for updated details before visiting.
Monte Vista Walking Trail
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Frontcountry Trail
- Length
0.5 miles
- Elevation Gain
--
- Route Type
out & back
(1 review)
- Length
0.5 miles - Elevation Gain
-- - Route Type
out & back
Located in the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, this 0.5-mile greenway is a bird watcher's paradise and provides habitat for waterfowl including mallards, egrets, and approximately 21,000 Sandhill cranes that migrate biannually through the area.
Photo by Provided by Clarke Dirks.
Monta Vista Walking Trail - 7-14-18. Photo by Jim Walla.
Rio Grande Nature Trail - 7-14-18. Photo by Jim Walla.
Monte Vista Walking Trail - 7-14-18. Photo by Jim Walla.
Location: Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, On CO 15, about 6 miles south of Monte Vista.
- States: Colorado
- Counties: Rio Grande
Located in the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, this 0.5-mile greenway is a bird watcher's paradise and provides habitat for waterfowl including mallards, egrets, and approximately 21,000 Sandhill cranes that migrate biannually through the area.
The Monte Vista Walking Trail is located approximately six miles south of Monte Vista on Highway 15. The trail is on the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, which is part of the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuges Complex. The trail was created by the Friends of the San Luis Valley and is 0.5 miles long. The Monte Vista Walking Trial is located near the beginning of the auto tour.
In the spring and fall 95% of the Rocky Mountain population of Sandhill cranes migrate through the San Luis Valley. The San Luis Valley is the only major spring and fall migration stopover for the Rocky Mountain population of the Greater Sandhill cranes. There are approximately 21,000 Sandhill cranes that migrate biannually through this area.
The Monte Vista Refuge has artificially created wetlands that are intensively managed to provide habitat for a wide variety of waterfowl and other water birds. Mallards, pintail, teal, and Canada geese are common, as are American Avocets, killdeer, white-faced ibis, egrets, and herons.
The trail is maintained by the Refuge staff and the Friends of the San Luis Valley. It is used by a variety of visitors, from school children on field trips to people just out enjoying the day.
Accessibility Information
No text provided.
Reviews
Jim Walla
Monte Vista Nature Trail - 7-14-18
This is a very short gravel nature trail on Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. It goes right through a marsh area and has a bench and viewing area. Very simple trail, but highly likely you will see several types of birds.
Allowed Uses:
Dogs, on leash Hiking/WalkingPublic Contact
Clarke DirksUS Fish and Wildlife Service
9383 El Rancho Lane
Alamosa, CO 81101
[email protected] • (719) 589-4021
alamosa.fws.gov
Contact the trail manager for current maps and visiting details.
More Details
- Elevation (low): 7650
- Elevation (high): 7651
- Elevation (cumulative): --
- Part of a Trail System? No
- Surface (primary): Rock, crushed
- Surfaces (additional): Rock, crushed
- Tread Width (average): 67"
- Tread Width (minimum): --
- Running length (minimum): --
- Tread Grade (average, percent): --
- Tread Grade (maximum): 1
- Running length (maximum): --
- Cross-slope (average, percent): --
- Cross-slope (maximum): --
- Running length (maximum): --
- Certified as an NRT
May 31, 2007