| The 900-mile Santa Fe Trail is a National Historic | | | | lived or stop by the Picketwire Conyondlands to |
| Trail following the path of early caravan traders, | | | | see dinosaur tracks. Self-guided tours follow along |
| from Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Colorado | | | | the Purgatoire River, leading to the historic Rourke |
| hosts a 184-mile section of the trail known as the | | | | Ranch, sometimes called the Wineglass Ranch. |
| Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway, or the | | | | After your hike, head out on Route 350 to grab a |
| Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail. Driving | | | | bite on your way to the historic city of Trinidad. |
| along the trail gives you a chance to see historic | | | | There is so much to see there that you will not |
| trading posts, stage coach stops, graves, and | | | | want to go on an empty stomach. At Trinidad |
| pioneer-era ruins. The landscape remains pristine | | | | Lake State Park, you can take part in recreational |
| and undisturbed, offering a variety of animals and | | | | water sports or take time to learn more about |
| habitats to observe. Archeological sites offer a | | | | Native American life. You can even cook bread in |
| peek into the Native American past and as far | | | | an authentic Native American horno or view the |
| back as the age of the dinosaurs. | | | | archeological remains of ancient Native American |
| The tour starts in Lamar, at the John Martin | | | | dwellings. |
| Reservoir, a great place to go bird watching. Piping | | | | Trinidad is a city with rich history, reflected in its |
| Plovers and Lest Terns are to be found for those | | | | many museums. You can visit El Corazon De |
| with a keen eye. Located on the Arkansas River, | | | | Trinidad National Historic District where you will |
| a portion of the reservoir is leased to Colorado | | | | have a taste of the true Wild West. In the late |
| State Parks. This gives visitors the opportunity to | | | | 1800s, Trinidad was the quintessential rough and |
| enjoy water sports, camping and picnicking. | | | | tumble western town, filled with cowboys and |
| At Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, you can | | | | gunslingers. Trinidad was controlled by famous |
| see the reconstruction of an authentic 1840's | | | | lawmen like Bat Masterson, who were only slightly |
| adobe trading post where traders and trappers | | | | more tame than the law breakers. Here is where |
| frequented to sell their wares. Travelers and Plains | | | | Doc Holiday gambled and Billy the Kid stayed. |
| Indian tribes also traded here peaceably. | | | | You can visit the Trinidad History Museum where |
| Vogel Canyon is an excellent place for hiking with | | | | you will find local history as far back as the 1840s. |
| short trails of varying intensity. You may catch a | | | | See objects from the Bloom Cattle Company, |
| glimpse of deer, antelope or a coyote on your | | | | the Baca House and Bloom Mansion, and Kit |
| journey. Of particular interest is the Canyon Trail | | | | Carson's buckskin jacket. Also in Trinidad is the |
| featuring pinion pines and sandstone formations. | | | | Louden-Henritze Archaeology Museum, displaying |
| Ruins of the 1930s Westbrook settlement are | | | | dinosaur bones and tracks, ancient pottery, |
| found along the Canyon Trail. The bottom of the | | | | models of ancient village life and burials. |
| canyon offers spur trails, letting you see rock | | | | Our last stop on the trail is to commemorate the |
| walls decorated with Native American art dating | | | | brave coal miners who lost their lives in the April |
| as far back as the 1200s. | | | | 20, 1914 massacre. The terrible events at Ludlow |
| The Comanche National Grasslands are home to | | | | spurred legislation that would ultimately lead to our |
| various species of wildlife, including falcons and | | | | modern employment laws that enforce the belief |
| hawks. You can see the way Native Americans' | | | | that employers should treat workers with respect. |