Trinidad Lake State Park
Long's Canyon Watchable Wildlife Area

The Long's Canyon Watchable Wildlife Area is off the southwestern shore of Trinidad Lake and extends for about 2 miles up into lower Long's Canyon. The area is composed of 3 of Colorado's typical habitats: the pinon-juniper woodland, a stream-riparian area and a wetland. All around the lower sections of the Watchable Wildlife Area is what may called an "edge" habitat: a region where two habitats overlap and many species of wildlife live here because they use both zones to survive. The trail follows the lower edge of the pinon-juniper woodland and the upper edge of the riparian and wetlands areas. I came across footprints in the sand and hardened mud left behind by deer, rabbits, coyotes, bobcats, turkeys, raccoons and other animals.

About 1/4 mile in from the parking area, you'll come to the K-T Boundary exposure site. There's an interpretive sign there facing the uphill slope that talks about what's there. Just past that sign is a sitting bench with a nice view over the stream-riparian area. If you sit and it's warm with little breeze, be prepared for hordes of flying, blood-sucking insects: that's part of the joy of a stream-riparian area. But in the otherwise peace-and-quiet of the spot, at the right times of day you might see all kinds of wildlife in that area immediately in front of and below you.

Continuing north on the trail, you'll some come to a large open area with signs pointing to the different viewing blinds, and trails that lead to them. I kept on straight ahead and soon was above Long's Pond. I was drawn down to the slope overlooking the pond by the sight of a large crane lifting off from the water and rising well up in the air. On the pond were several groups of ducks, Canada geese and other waterfowl. I also kept hearing a large owl in the woodlands to the southeast. Then I went back to the main trail and continued north until I came up onto the old railroad track bed: what I call the Wannabe Bike Trail. There was a great view there of Trinidad Lake itself to the northeast so I took some photos and then turned around to head back to the car. My total walking distance: maybe 1.5 miles round trip.

To get there: go west on State Highway 12 from the main entrance to Trinidad Lake State Park for maybe 8 miles, to the well-signed turnoff to the south at the Madrid Bridge over the Purgatoire River (if you miss this you shouldn't be driving...) Turn south, cross the bridge, stay on the pavement, then keep on straight ahead when the pavement ends and the washboard gravel begins. Stay on that main gravel road for about 3 miles, until you come to a T intersection (signs all over the place). Go left (north) and follow the road to the self-pay station, then to the road closure at the parking area.