Big Marvine Peak
The road along Big Marvine Creek passes through excellent aspen and mixed conifer woodland; look especially for Purple Martin around the aspen stands, and Northern Goshawk throughout. Willow carrs in the area support Fox Sparrow, and typical spruce-fir birds like Pine Grosbeak, Gray Jay, and sometimes American Three-toed Woodpecker are all possible. From the end of the road a trail continues on to the Flat Tops and up to alpine tundra, though it is a rather long walk. If you decide to take the hike, keep an eye out for White-tailed Ptarmigan and Brown-capped Rosy-Finch once on the tundra.
County: Rio Blanco
Habitat: Alpine Tundra, Krummholz, Spruce-Fir Forest
Directions: From Meeker, take Colorado Highway 13 east for 1 mile, then turn east on Rio Blanco County Road 8 and follow this for 28 miles. Turn south at Fritzlans' Guest Ranch, cross the bridge and turn east on Rio Blanco County Road 12. Follow this 6 miles to the Marvine Trailhead parking area. Hike or ride the East Marvine trail #1822 for approx. 8 miles, you will have climbed from 8081 feet elevation at the trailhead to 11,000 feet, nearly half of that in the last mile, you'll now take a side trail, #1822.2A, a two mile detour which will go to the summit of Big Marvine Peak, elevation 11,879 feet.
Delorme: 35 A7
Roads of Colorado: 51 F3, 52 A3
Dates of Access: Closed during the winter months
Hours: Any
Ownership: US Forest Service
Admission: Free
Restrictions: None
Parking: Gravel parking areas
Lodging: Primitive camping
Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Some car birding
Latitude: 40.00837733
Longitude: -107.4255288
» Visit the website for Big Marvine Peak
Contact Info:
Blanco Ranger District, 970-878-4039
Amenities
| Restrooms | No |
| Drinking Fountain | No |
| Gravel Trails | No |
| Paved Trails | No |
| Platform/Blind | No |
| Boardwalk | No |
| Concession | No |
| Visitor Center | No |
| Gift Shop | No |
| Primitive | Yes |
| Camping | Yes - primitive |
| Picnic | No |
| Hunting | Yes |
| Fishing | No |