Vogel Canyon Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Geological Significance · Historical Significance · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The Vogel Canyon loop includes running on sandstone outcrops and across shortgrass prairie. Side trails lead to Native American petroglyphs and ruins from a 19th century stagecoach line. Come fall large numbers of brown tarantulas are on the move as the males seek out a mate. It's common to see dozens of these large spiders on the trails in September and October.

Vogel Canyon is located about 18-miles due south of La Junta, CO

This would make a very good loop for trail running.

Park at the Vogel Canyon Picnic Area and run down the sandstone rock drainage that is the Canyon Trail. When you reach a large rock outcropping, you are close to the junction with the Prairie Trail. Take a short stroll to a collection of petroglyphs before heading due west on the Prairie Trail.

Pass interesting outcroppings and boulders of sandstone on your way to the ruins on a 19th center stagecoach line. Take a sharp righthand turn onto the Mesa Trail, heading northeast back towards the picnic area. At a 'T' junction, turn right on the Overlook Trail and continue to a scenic spot overlooking the shallow valley. It's about a mile back up the Overlook Trail to the picnic area.

Come fall large numbers of brown tarantulas are on the move as the males seek out a mate. It's common to see dozens of these large spiders on the trails in September and October.

Native Americans occupied the area 300-800 years ago, leaving petroglyphs on the sandstone outcrops. During the 1870's, a spur off the Santa Fe National Historic Trail (between Las Animas and Trinidad) was developed by the Barlow and Sanderson Mail and Stage Line. Sections of the stage coach road and ruins of the station can still be found.