"Now this is wild country! Our hike to Granite Creek was spectacular and the creek needs further exploration. This desert, riparian ecosystem filled with mature cottonwoods, a gushing creek, lush vegetation, and Remote with a capital R makes Granite Creek "Wilderness" in our book."  Mark Schmalz, Grand Junction

Ariel view of Granite Creek photo © CEC

Click here for a detailed (and printable) overview of this wilderness proposal.

The Granite Creek Citizens' Wilderness Proposal features a redrock sandstone canyon tributary to the Dolores River that cuts as deep as 800 feet and is highlighted with picturesque rock fins, columns, windows and buttes. The high, eastern end of the creek in Utah is relatively open and straight, but by the time it approaches its confluence with the Dolores, in Colorado, the stream is so serpentine that it takes seven miles to travel just three linear miles. We just recently hiked the Utah portion and were floored by the lush green vegetation in this riparian ecosystem. The trail itself was flanked by verdant oaks that kept the air cool even into June. If you are a history buff make sure to explore the rubble of the remote homesteads you find along the way.

Visit our Granite Creek photo albums on facebook and flickr.

To learn more about this special wild place please visit Colorado's Canyon Country Wilderness Proposal web site.