Wild horses at little book cliffs grand junction forum. The herd is comprised of hearty mustangs, and ranges in size from 90 to 150. However, there are usually plenty of horses in this area, if you look carefully. Pine nuts have the fish springs horses as part of the complex and. The bureau of land management has begun its plans to remove some wild horses from the little book cliffs horse range near grand junction. This 36,1acre range is one of only three ranges in the united states set aside specifically to protect wild and free roaming horses. Josie, a wild mare from the little book cliffs herd in western colorado, had eight foals before range managers treated her with pzp. Little book cliffs darting team bureau of land management. The kiger herds in oregon, the book cliffs herds in utahcolorado, the sulphur springs herds in utah, and other herd management areas hmas all have horses which exhibit iberian characteristics. Two herds of burros containing about 100 animals are found on public lands in southeastern utah.
A hidden gem of western colorado, little bookcliffs wild horse area is home to a beautiful herd of wild horses. The bureau of land management manages 22 herds of wild horses in utah, but the most accessible to the public is the onaqui herd in the west desert. The breathtaking park in colorado where you can watch wild. Theres truly no sight in the world like that of wild horses running free. Best trails in little book cliffs wilderness study area. Book cliffs bull elk hunts horseback riding vacations, utah. The bookcliffs, which border grand junction, define our regions skyline and offer plenty of. During the winter the range is closed to any motorized vehicles you can walk in. More than 100 horses roam the sagebrush parks and pinyonjuniper covered hills. Your guide to the grand junction bookcliffs rmhp blog.
The little book cliffs wild horse area tripadvisor. Wild freeroaming horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the west. Take this utah drive to see wild horses running free. Little book cliffs wild horse area hma bureau of land management. The riverfront trail follows the colorado river as it flows westward toward utah. Oct 31, 2011 bureau of land management officials oversee wild horse and burro populations in utah. The majority of wild horses are located on the western edge of the state between tooele and iron counties.
Photography of swasey wild horse herd near delta, ut. Winter ridge wild horse herd area, uintah county, utah. Rick bowmerap photo wild horses occupy a watering hole outside salt lake city, utah, june 29, 2018. These wild herds originally descended from horses that escaped from travelers along the old spanish trail trade route between new mexico and california. In our book cliffs stream project, we took a very small stream 0. Foaling stopped, saving taxpayer dollars and likely extending. This sizable area is over 36,000 acres of public land, managed by the bureau of land management blm. In utah, about 2,600 horses are found among 22 different herds scattered across the state. The first part of the hike into little book cliffs is a little strenuous as you climb up and over a ridge to get into the canyons. A guide to finding and viewing utahs wild horses and herd management areas.
Aug 31, 2018 the bureau of land management has begun its plans to remove some wild horses from the little book cliffs horse range near grand junction. This video is dedicated to the memory of bruce smoky stevens. Horseback day trips or weeklong utah horseback riding vacations, utah wilderness adventures, fly fishing trips or utah big game hunting trips can be yours with packages that are. The desert mountains and cliffs that make up the bookcliffs also sometimes spelled book cliffs stretch almost 200 miles across western colorado and eastern utah. Why do some stallions leave the family band at 2 or younger and others never leave. The blms 2015 herd population survey indicated zero horses remaining in this huge area south of vernal 2017 survey counts 45. The drive is short into north soda, and the road ends at a cabin. The wild horses of fifteen mile washakie county, wyoming. More than 100 horses roam the vicinity, supplying excellent opportunities to see. These spanish mustang spirit horses forever changed the history of man in the americas, and with your help, we have a unique opportunity to. Wild horse area indian park entrance 8 miles arrow points up wild horse area n. The area encompasses 36,000acres and is accessible for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
The hike sits on the 36,1acre little book cliffs wild horse range that provides free roaming and protection over herds of wild horses. The san rafael north is one of the best units in the state. The book cliffs are a series of desert mountains and cliffs in western colorado and eastern utah, in the western united states. The book cliffs aka bookcliffs are the desert mountains and cliffs that stretch nearly 200 miles across western colorado and eastern utah rmhp. Its borders include over 36,000 acres of rugged canyons and plateaus providing a beautiful backdrop where the horses can be viewed and photographed. Transforming desert landscapes utah division of wildlife. There are also smaller herds in the book cliffs and on the san rafeal swell. Photography of wild horses onaqui herd photography of a. The little book cliffs wild horse range, located in mesa county, colorado, usa latitude 3912n, longitude 10825w, consists of approximately 14,600 ha of sloping plateaus, sagebrush artemisia spp. Near grand junction, the book cliffs are an intrinsic part of the landscape and a wonderful place to take a day trip. A guide to finding and viewing utah s wild horses and herd management areas. On the way up mount garfield, be on the lookout for wild horses. The wild horse area is pretty tough to get to in a regular carsuvjeep.
Wild, wild horses we picked a bad day to go due to the high heat. Wild horses captivate at little book cliffs visit grand junction. Nationally, wild horse herds can grow by nearly 25 percent each year, but. Horses include palominos, paints, grays, blacks, bays, sorrels, blue and red roans as well as a few appaloosas. These four larger systems are also accompanied by many smaller side canyons. Even during the months it is open i would not advise that you take a rental vehicle into this area as it would definitely violate the contract and cause you grief. Search for library items search for lists search for.
Large mammals found in the book cliffs include coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, mule deer, elk, black bears, pronghorn, american bison as an extension of the henry mountains bison herd and bighorn sheep. While youre galloping away on your horse, youll also witness unique red rock formations, hoodoos and. Little book cliffs wild horse range emap, 2007 worldcat. More than 100 horses roam the vicinity, supplying excellent opportunities to see and photograph them. The book cliffs have been renowned as one of the best hunting destinations in the country. The book cliffs are an enormous area that spans two states. Moonscape isolation, chalky desolation, soulsucking industrialization, and a couple of beautiful fantasies. View grand junctions wild horses visit grand junction.
The 1971 wild and freeroaming horse and burro act provides for the management, protection, and control of all unbranded and unclaimed horses and burros on public lands administered by the blm. May 08, 2020 tales of the little book cliff wild horses. Wild horses and burros in utah kbr horse net main index. The wild horse area north of grand junction is one of only three wild horse reserves in the country ask marty felix about any of the wild horses that run on the little book cliffs wild horse area north of grand junction, colorado, and she probably can tell you the horses name, its lineage and where on the range it can be found at various times of the year. Horses of the little book cliffs tales of the little book. Located along colorados western slope is that of the little book cliffs wild horse area. To prevent overpopulation, every 34 years, the bureau of land management rounds up to 60 horses and places them in a wild horse adoption program. The little book cliffs wild horse area is home to around 90 to 150 wild horses. Each season we take multiple bucks scoring over 80 inches. Limited entry book cliffs bull elk hunts and wasatch bull. Main canyon in the little bookcliffs wild horse area is a part of the main book cliffs range extending from the western colorado, to the eastern utah. May 29, 2019 near grand junction, the book cliffs are an intrinsic part of the landscape and a wonderful place to take a day trip. From 90 to 150 wild horses roam these rugged parks and pinyonjuniper covered hills.
Find the little book cliffs wild horse area in grand junction with address, phone number from yahoo us local. Little wild horse canyon attractions the swell utah. It encompasses over 36,000 acres of rugged canyons and plateaus. Jul 24, 2015 the little book cliffs wild horse range, located in mesa county, colorado, usa latitude 3912n, longitude 10825w, consists of approximately 14,600 ha of sloping plateaus, sagebrush artemisia spp. Wild horses, wierdly eroded stone sculptures and monument. I was asked if i had any photographs of the swasey herd of wild horses near delta, ut. Bureau of land management officials oversee wild horse and burro populations in utah. Theres also a herd of more than 250 bison on the nearby uintah and ouray reservation. Wild horses captivate at little book cliffs visit grand. The drive from the highway was about 23 miles but took well over an hour. Wild horses have lived for more than a century in the rugged maze of canyons, buttes, sagedotted meadows and pinyonjuniper forests atop the little book cliffs. The little book cliffs wild horse area in grand junction. Hiking, camping, and wild horses near grand junction. The little book cliffs wilderness study area is characterized by gentlysloping plateaus, various small canyons, and four major canyon systems.
With grazing land the worst some have seen, book cliffs. Onaqui wild mustang horses near dugway, utah sept 2019 by karen king duration. In the ten states where blm manages horses, there are 270 herd areas. This 36,000acre preserve is one of only three wild horse sanctuaries in the entire country. Wild horses travel in bands throughout the little bookcliffs wild horse area. At the time of this video there were an estimated 288 horses in this herd. We drove to the little book cliffs wild horse area. And with the exception of a few privately held parcels of land, almost 96% of the 2.
Department of the interior, bureau of land management, grand junction field office, colorado. Horses include palominos, paints, grays, blacks, bays, sorrels, blue and red roans as well as a few. Little bookcliffs wild horse area where to see colorados wild. The little book cliffs wild horse area is managed for multiple uses, but wild horse habitat is the primary concern here. Rumor has it that the blm will be rounding most of them up soon. Antelope are common and many people have seen rocky mountain bighorn sheep, and moose. There is very little shade, so be prepared with a hat and lots of water. This unit has only been open for a few years and has the potential to. Give us a call or shoot us an email for more details on this classic back country elk hunt. Today, horse enthusiasts from around the country visit the colorado range, one of only three u. Main canyon, coal canyon, cottonwood canyon and spring canyon.
Onaqui wild mustang horses near dugway, utah sept 2019 by karen king. One of just three ranges in the united states set aside for wild horses, this range encompasses 36,1 acres of rugged canyons and plateaus in the book cliffs. Detailed descriptions, directions and tips for finding these elusive mustangs in their wild desert habitats. Ask marty felix about any of the wild horses that run on the little book cliffs wild horse area north of grand junction, colorado, and she probably can tell you. Cultural values of the fremont culture are found here, as well as several natural bridges and hoodoos. Little wild horse canyon is named for the herds of wild mustangs that have roamed the san rafael swell since the early 1800s. Part of the southern edge of this wsa is dominated by the 2,000foothigh face of the book cliffs. Click here for a printable version of this page i didnt want to find them here. Nestled in the book cliffs above grand junction is the little book cliffs wild horse area.
When you see photos noted wild horses of the great basin or utahs wild horses they usually mean onaqui. These colorado cliffs look like books on a shelf outthere. In grand junction, they define the regions impressive skyline and offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun and recreation. Sep 14, 2017 take this utah drive to see wild horses running free. Just the excuse i needed to make the two hour drive from salt lake. Through the introduction of wild horses from other herds, the range of colors. In january, 2009, utah division of wildlife resources officials transplanted 31 bison from the henry mountains bison herd to the book cliffs. Once in the park we saw five horses but they were very far. This 36,1acre range is one of only three ranges in the united states set aside specifically to protect wild and freeroaming horses. Beautiful utah horseback riding vacations and horse trail rides, camping, nature and wildlife photography and historic exploring in the book cliffs are all available. Discover the solitude and secrets of the wild, wild west.
Through the introduction of wild horses from other herds, the range of colors within the herd is exciting and photogenic. Photography of wild horses onaqui herd photography of. Soda entrance 2 miles arrow points right for north soda, take the right fork. The canyon is located a few miles east of mount garfield and is easily accessible from i70 the main interstate from denver to utah. Colorado wild horses photo tour big sun photography tours. Our book cliffs road less area elk hunts consist of all the things that make hunting great. Horses of the little book cliffs tales of the little. With grazing land the worst some have seen, book cliffs wild. The little book cliffs wild horses have a diversity of colors, band sizes and ages. The area is specifically designated for wild horses, so wild horse habitat is the primary concern here. Little book cliffs wild horse area hma bureau of land.
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