Diamond Peak area
If you want to get away from it all, then this is a great area to do it. This area is as far northwest as one can get in Colorado, and is extremely rarely visited. A number of isolated mountains rise out of the valley here. Diamond Peak has thick mixed conifer woodland and aspen groves where most species of such habitat can be found, including Dusky Grouse and Red Crossbill. Most of the land in the valley is dense sagebrush, with Greater Sage-Grouse a possibility. The Wiggins unit of the Browns Park SWA, against the Utah border west of Diamond peak contains dense limber pine woodland, aspen groves, and brushy thickets. Birds like Orange-crowned Warbler, Red-naped Sapsucker, Cassin’s Finch, and Hammond’s and Dusky Flycatchers can be found here. Elk are common in the area, and if you come here in the fall you have a good chance to catch them bugling.
Restrictions: None
County: Moffat
Directions: To reach this area, travel through Irish Canyon to CR 72, almost 5 miles from the northern mouth of the canyon, and head west. The spring at the base of Diamond Peak is reached by turning right off of CR 72 at 9 miles from CR 10N. To reach Middle Mountain and the Wyoming border, continue on CR 72, and follow it as it bends to the north, for an additional 11 miles. If you stay straight as CR 72 bends north at 10 miles from CR 10N you will be on an unmarked road that heads to the Wiggins Unit of the Browns Park NWR, in about five miles.
Alternate Directions: From Maybell, travel northwest on CO 318 for 41.5 miles to Moffat CR 10N. Go right, and in 17 miles go left on CR 72. Go approximately 9 miles to the birding areas.
Habitat: Mixed-Conifer Forest, Aspen Grove, Sagebrush
Dates of Access: Closed during the winter months
Hours: Any
Ownership: BLM/Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Admission or Fees: Free
Parking: Roadside
Lodging: Primitive camping
Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Limited car birding
Delorme: 12 A1-A2
ROC: 16 C3, 18 D3
Latitude: 40.92429
Longitude: -108.88466