Welch Ranch

· Spanish Peaks

Welch Ranch

This spectacular ranch charges an entrance fee of $10 per person per day. It includes the north end of the Apishapa Canyon, which is worth a visit just for the scenery, as it is 200-300 feet deep along this stretch. There are only a few cottonwoods in the bottom of the canyon, but the fact that the river here flows nearly year-round makes for excellent birding potential in this arid country. Raptors nest in the canyon, and Black Phoebe is a definite possibility. The northern part of the ranch has prairie-dog towns with breeding Burrowing Owls. Keep an eye out for Greater Roadrunner and Scaled Quail in addition to deer, coyote and other mammals.

County: Las Animas

Habitat: Pinyon-Juniper Forest, Rimrock/Mesa, Stream, Grassland/Prairie, Cholla, Cliff Face

Directions: To inquire about access to this ranch and to get directions, please call Andy Welch at 719-263-4388 or 719-263-5514 a minimum of 48 hours in advance of your potential visit. The fee for access is $10 per person per day. Please remember that this is a working ranch as well as a private residence, and there may be times when the landowner cannot accommodate visits. While you are on the ranch, remember to stay on roads, leave gates as you find them (whether open or closed), and refrain from taking anything off the ranch or leaving trash behind.

Delorme: 100 A1-B1
Roads of Colorado: 138 C1-C2

Dates of Access: Open all year, contact owner prior to visit
Hours: 0
Ownership: Private
Admission: $10/person/day

Restrictions: Exercise caution while walking the ranch

Parking: Gravel parking area
Lodging: Hotel in La Junta or Walsenburg

Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Limited

Latitude: 37.7708
Longitude: -104.14754

Contact Info:

Contact Andy Welch at 719-263-4388 or 719-263-5514.

Amenities

RestroomsYes
Drinking FountainNo
Gravel TrailsNo
Paved TrailsNo
Platform/BlindNo
BoardwalkNo
ConcessionNo
Visitor CenterNo
Gift ShopNo
PrimitiveNo
Camping
Picnic
Hunting
Fishing
2015-03-25T17:16:24-06:00

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