Guided Wildlife Tour at John Martin Reservoir State Park. Tour 2:00 - 3:30 p.m., Free
Treat yourself to a tour with lead ranger Todd Marriott and expect to see Mule Deer, White Tail Deer, and perhaps a bobcat. Resident raptors include Ferruginous Hawks, Northern Harriers, Red-tailed Hawks, Swainson's Hawks and Kestrels. We may also see Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles and Great Horned Owls. Park entrance fees are waived for Snow Goose Festival participants.
Dinosaur Exhibit in John Martin Reservoir Army Corps of Engineers Visitors Center with Don Headlee. Open 1:00 - 4:30 p.m., Free. The tracks are from the Iguanodon dinosaur that lived around 95 million years ago. The John Martin tracks are located on what Dr. Martin Lockley refers to as the "dinosaur freeway" which followed the inland sea of that period. The exhibit has been designed by the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center in Woodland Park. The tracks are those found at several sites in 2003 exposed by low water levels due to drought conditions.
Kiowa Creek Natural Area at Jackson’s Pond Tour 1:00 - 2:00 p.m., Free. See how this community has moved to save their natural area and wetland for birds, and still develop. Must pre-register – call 719-438-2200.
Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Program 2:30 p.m., Free
Program following Kiowa Creek Tour. Tour Saturday, see description at 9 AM.
The following four tours will be customized the day before or day after the Snow goose Festival to fit traveler’s needs. For reservations call: 719-643-5414 and leave a message. Maximum capacity is two tours per day, limit of 8-10 people per tour.
Picture Canyon: $35/pp (A walking tour)
Picture Canyon has been a crossroads for travelers since people came to what is now known as Southeast Colorado. With readily available water and mild winters, it provided fertile grounds and protection. The canyon is in southwest Baca County and borders Oklahoma. It houses Petroglyphs, pictographs, a stunning equinox site and many clues for the debate over the pre-history of America and pre-Columbian European visitors. The canyon also has good walking paths, good opportunities for birding and wildlife viewing, camping, and restroom facilities. Area history and WPA sites included on the tours on the way to the canyon. Time required for tour: from canyon site 1.5 hrs; from Pritchett 3hrs.
Carrizo Canyon: $25/pp (A walking tour)
Carrizo Canyon is a beautiful site that provides opportunity for viewing Petroglyphs... The canyon is a good example of early Indian inhabitance with live water year round, and protection from weather. Restrooms, birding, hiking, and camping are also available. Area history and WPA sites are included on the tour on the way to the canyon. Time required for tour: from canyon site 45min, from Pritchett 2.5-3 hrs.
Cottonwood Canyon: $25/pp (A driving tour)
County Rd M winds down into and back out of Cottonwood canyon in Baca County, SE Colorado. The drive is scenic ranging from flat prairie with open range roads, to flat top mesas and canyon lands where deer, turkey and desert big horn sheep like to graze in the field bottoms. Good for birding and a snap shot of area history, the tour is mainly for wildlife viewing and is best done in the evening or very early morning. Time required for tour: from Pritchett 2-2.5hrs, from Carrizo Canyon, 45min-1hr, from Picture Canyon 1.5-2 hrs.
Guided to and around Two Buttes Lake and Black Hole area: $35/pp Birding, some walking paths. Time required for tour: from Springfield 45 min to the area, from Lamar, 45 min to the area.
