La Plata Canyon
The La Plata Canyon road (CR 124) passes through the tiny settlement of Mayday, where rosy-finches come to feeders in winter and oak shrubland birds such as Western Scrub-Jays can be seen year-round. In summer you can drive much farther up the road, into dense coniferous forests with some riparian willows and mountain meadows. Most of the high-elevation birds can be found, including Pine Grosbeak, Wilson’s and MacGillivray’s Warblers, and Lincoln’s Sparrow.
Restrictions: None
County: La Plata
Directions: From downtown Durango travel west on US 160 about 10 miles and turn right (north) on CR 124 just past Hesperus. Check the feeders at the house on the left after about one mile for rosy-finches in winter. After about 6 miles the paved road ends, but the gravel road continues to above treeline. The last one to two miles require a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Alternate Directions: From Durango, head west on US160 for 11 miles to CR 124, on the right. Turn right; this is the road through La Plata Canyon.
Habitat: Ponderosa Forest, Spruce-Fir Forest, Mountain Meadow, Krummholz, Alpine Tundra
Dates of Access: Upper portion of the road open in summer only
Hours: Any
Ownership: US Forest Service/Private
Admission or Fees: Free
Parking: Roadside, with some unpaved pullouts
Lodging: Camping in designated sites only (summer)
Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Some viewing from car
Delorme: 86 B1-A1
ROC: 146 A1, 130 A4-B4
Latitude: 37.3598198
Longitude: -108.0791699
Additional Resources
Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1593163