blue creek trail

Blue Creek Trail offers a different kind of vista for the average hiker. The trail is easy and very gradual. One can opt for a through trip from the top of the mountain, or you can take the easy route and hike the bottom section in and then out by the same route.The Blue Creek Trail starts at the Homer Wilson Ranch house. The ranch house is accessed along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Road, with a interpretive sign and parking area.From the parking area the house is easily spotted down in the valley, and is a destination in its self. If one follows the obvious trail to the house, just before getting there, turn left and follow one of the braided stream channels. After a mile the different stream channels merge and eventually come to a not so obvious split where the first towering rocks are found. The Blue Creek Trail is the main stream to the right. However, there is an often overlooked minor channel to the left which is some respect is more interesting than the larger one.The left channel goes between towering red rocks, high pour offs, and after a mile, comes to several tinajas with polished channels. The texture of the rock drastically changes to blues, greens, and reds, offering several dramatic picture opportunities. Up to the tinajas the going is quite easy. After them it starts getting a little harder. Most people will turn around here.Back at the intersection of the two valleys, continue up the main Blue Creek Trail. Notice almost immediately there is a climb up on the right. On your return, it is suggested you take this route which will take you to some old water wells and some interesting historic junk to look at.One can continue up the Blue Creek Trail for miles, passing one towering palisade after another.The return to the car is easy as it is all down hill to the ranch house. The trail up out of the canyon is quite obvious on the right. Don’t miss it, as downstream is a long way to nowhere.