Old Woman Creek

This short loop route out of the town of Del Norte passes through the saltbush scrub on the floor of the San Luis Valley, then rises into the low foothills with pinyon-juniper and some open ponderosa pine woodland. Along this route you might see Mountain and Western Bluebirds, Green-tailed Towhee, Gray Flycatcher, Pinyon Jay, and Clark’s Nutcracker. This loop road includes some excellent scenery, and a chance to see coyotes, jackrabbits, cottontails, and Abert’s Squirrels.

County: Rio Grande

Attractions: A natural rock arch and Penitente Canyon, known for its rock climbing opportunities, are both found off of this route.

Habitat: Grassland/Prairie, Sagebrush, Rimrock/Mesa, Ponderosa Forest, Aspen Grove, Pinyon-Juniper Forest

Directions: Just north of the Rio Grande bridge on CO 112 at Del Norte, turn left (northwest) on paved CR 15. When this road turns toward a dump, turn west; do not continue straight toward the airport. At FR 660 turn north. FR 660 turns into CR A-32 which T's with CR 38A. Turn right onto CR 38A to loop back to CR112 about 2 1/2 miles northeast of where you started.

Delorme: 79 B6-B7, C6
Roads of Colorado: 134 A1-A2, 133 F1-F2

Dates of Access: Open all year
Hours: Any
Ownership: BLM/Private
Admission: Free

Restrictions: Beware poor road conditions

Parking: Roadside
Lodging: Hotels in Del Norte

Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Viewing from car

Latitude: 37.7480653
Longitude: -106.4280307