Hidden Valley is happening.

It is a beloved treasure located only a few miles northwest of Durango. The suspended valley is almost 500 feet higher than the Animas River, separated by a north-south running sandstone-capped ridge. There is a sense of peaceful protection on the valley floor, sheltered by the eastern escarpment of the Barnes Mountain cuesta. Meadow, stone, and forest; wilderness moments from town. Regulars saunter in the evening, families on mountain bikes ride the Falls Creek trail system, Nordic skiers and snowshoers make tracks in winter, and dogs run free.

Hidden Valley almost fell to development in 1990 when a utility company based in Salt Lake City placed the 530-acre parcel on the open market. La Plata Open Space Conservancy spearheaded a successful grassroots movement to compel Congress to appropriate $800,000 of the 1.1 million needed to acquire and protect the land. On March 30, 1992, Hidden Valley became public property managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

There are several points of entry into the meadow, and trails spin off every which way. This introductory tour runs the length of the Forest Service property on primary trails. Climb from the meadowland on a sandstone ridge to the highpoint, Peak 7,385’. The full tour is almost eight miles with 1,100 feet of climbing. If time is limited, build your own section hike.

South Meadow to Mid-Meadow Lateral Trail (0.8 mile)Park adjacent to large, exfoliated boulders. An informative placard explains that the 1,500 acre Falls Creek Archaeological Area adjoins Hidden Valley on the west side of County Road 205. The Durango Rock Shelters were occupied by the Basketmaker culture almost continuously from 200-900 AD. The site was then abandoned until the arrival of the modern Utes. In the 1930s, archaeologists discovered a number of mummified bodies in a burial crevice, Esther’s Cave. Importantly, the site documents the transition from nomadic hunter-gathers to stationary farmers. This area is closed to all public entry.

From the trailhead, elevation 7,000 feet, walk north up valley. Two trails parallel each other, take your pick. This is important wildlife habitat; the Falls Creek drainage is a migration corridor for deer and elk from the high country to winter foraging grounds in the Animas River Valley.

Entrada Sandstone Ridge to Peak 7,385’ (2.2 miles roundtrip)Both northbound trails intersect the Mid-Meadow Lateral Trail which begins at a second parking area along County Road 205. Turn right and gain the ridge at the low point between two rollers. Old growth ponderosa favor this location. In summer, Mariposa lily and scarlet penstemon enliven the ground.

Turn south on the trail running up the ridge. Mount a pretty darn steep little hill, the toughest grade on the entire hike. While walking through the piñon-juniper and Gambel oak woodland be watchful for mountain lions, bear and golden eagles.

Just as the second roller begins to soften, take a few strides to the right (1.6 miles, 7,360 feet) and step onto sandstone. Welcome to one of Durango’s most unexpected and magical places. Solid rock, soft forms, pure delight.

Scampering is irresistible. Some people can handle the friction pitches on the ridgecrest, but most will need to back up and return to the southbound trail on the east side of the outcrop.

Do a short Class 2-plus scramble. The ridge narrows briefly, so be steady. Continue out the stone ridgetop to Peak 7,385’. This little crest is a wonderful lookout over home territory. The highpoint is very near the southern boundary of public land so this is our turn-around.

The prominent cliff formation you see as you look across Hidden Valley is light gray Entrada Sandstone. If you are wondering whether you took an unexpected portal to Utah, consider that the windows in Arches National Park were carved from a salmon-colored variety of Entrada Sandstone. Junction Creek Sandstone is the thinner band above. The Entrada overlies Dolores Formation red-beds. Heading north, we’ll be walking on quartz infused sandstones, grits and conglomerates characteristic of the Dolores Formation.

Retrace your steps. Depending on how much slickrock romping you do, you’ll be back at the Mid-Meadow Trail at about 3.0 miles.

North to Falls Creek Crossing (0.9 mile)Continue north for the full tour. Social paths spin off; stay on the ridge trail. Clumps of claret cup cactus thrive. In early summer, they will morph into showy red blossom blotches. Look out over cottonwood stands curving along Animas River oxbows.

Enter a forest and descend steeply to Falls Creek. At a cottonwood grove, the trail splits. Take the right branch and cross Falls Creek on the lower of two bridges at 3.9 miles. In a few feet, the trail splits again; go right and ascend from the drainage to a four-way junction. A hard left takes you to the north end of the meadow; a hard right descends to County Road 203. Take the soft right.

Aside: East Portal to Hidden Valley (0.8 mile)A popular trail ascends from County Road 203 (elevation 6,600 feet) to the preserve. Falls Creek Road was established as a public roadway in 1979 linking the Animas River Valley with Hidden Valley. For some years, a dispute with the adjacent land owner put public access into question. The conflict was recently resolved. It is posted private property on both sides of the old roadbed. Please stay on the trail for the first half mile west of County Road 203.

An open gate indicates passage onto public lands. Fifty yards upstream is a small cascade on Falls Creek. A 10-foot-tall cylinder of ice with water trickling inside will form after a sustained winter cold spell.

Church Camp Trail to Valley Fire Overview (1.0 mile) The trail leaving the four-way bears east for a short distance before curving north. Church Camp Trail was once an old road that went to a summer camp on the hillside west of County Road 203. The smooth dirt path transports the hiker through a color wheel of red earth, green trees and blue sky.

The Valley Fire Overview is the northern terminus of the hike at 4.9 miles. On June 9, 2002, the Missionary Ridge Fire ignited and burned for 39 days. During this inferno, an electric-fence charger started a grass fire just west of County Road 203. The Valley Fire burned 439 acres and destroyed 10 houses. The view corridor is now wide open to Hermosa and beyond to the San Juan Mountains.

Return to the South Meadow Trailhead (2.9 miles)Continue on the trail just a few steps west to the crest of a soft ridge and turn south. A cairn typically marks this subtle junction. The path flanks the east side of a rise and then descends on an old roadbed to Turner Lake at 5.5 miles. The land to the immediate west, including the lake, is Falls Creek Ranch private property, so stay on the trail.

Climb one last roller before descending back to the valley floor on a stony path. The shining needles of the ponderosa in this forest have a charmed capacity to reflect light. At the bottom of the hill, a trail forks left; stay straight. Cross Falls Creek once again on planks.

The trail tracks the west side of the meadow to avoid the wetlands and riparian habitat in its center. Grasses are lush and diverse.

At 6.8 miles, you will be back at the Mid-Meadow Trail. Do a jog to the left and then continue south on either of the east-side parallel trails, presumably the one you have not yet walked upon.

http://debravanwinegarden.blogspot.com. Debra Van Winegarden is an explorer and freelance writer who lives in Durango.