After Work Adventures | Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Just like last week, I headed over to the Third Flats area after work this afternoon so I could hike a new trail to a highpoint on Horse Mesa, and also just like last week, I ended up changing those plans because of threatening storms in the area. After leaving work and driving up Little Park Road into the Bangs Canyon Recreation Area, I drove down the Third Flats Road all the way to the Gunnison River near the mouth of Billings Canyon and was hoping to hike up to the top of Horse Point from there. However, there were rainstorms in the area and the final section of the road down to the Gunnison River was cut through clay and I didn’t want to chance getting stuck down there if it rained, so I drove back up the road a little ways and hiked the Art Cook’s View Trail instead. I’ll have to come back for Horse Point another time.
Driving down Third Flats Road as it descends to the Gunnison River.
As I neared the bottom of the descent I had a nice view of the Gunnison River and the Gunnison Bluffs.
The final section of road to the river was the roughest part, but it still wasn’t difficult.
Looking up at lower Horse Mesa, which is where I was planning to hike.
When I reached the junction with the Horse Mesa Road I decided to scrap those hiking plans and head back up to Art Cook’s View Trail instead.
Following the Art Cook’s View Trail toward the rim of Billings Canyon.
Dappled light illuminates the landscape across Billings Canyon to Horse Mesa and the Grand Mesa.
Art Cook’s View Trail
Billings Canyon
After reaching the top of the trail, I decided to return the way I had come for better views instead of following the road back to my Jeep.
Canyon & Clouds
Grand Mesa View
Potholes along the trail.
Almost back to the lower trailhead…
By the way, who is Art Cook?
