Wellington Ditch Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views

A smooth, easy trail with great footing. A great way to connect from Mosca Pass Trail to the northern trails at the park without having to run on the road. The trail will likely be snow-covered in the winter.

The Wellington Ditch Trail is an easy, mostly level trail that connects from the Montville Nature Trail to the southeastern end of the Pinyon Flats Campground. The trail skirts along the foothills of the Sangre de Cristos, weaving in and out of stands of scrubby pinon pine trees and rocky mountain juniper. The trail passes through a more sunny, arid climate so you'll see lots of prickly pear cactus and yucca along the trail.

To the west, you'll have great views across the valley of the sand dunes and Medano Creek. The trail ends at the campground where you can choose to either run back the way you came or continue onto the other trails on the north side of the campground or make a loop down to the dunes on the Dunes Access from Campground Trail.

This trail is great on windy days as it is more sheltered from the wind, and you can enjoy the views of the sand dunes without getting actively exfoliated by them.

Pinon pine, rocky mountain juniper, yucca, and prickly pear cactus.

Elk, deer, rabbits, squirrels, and chipmunks. You will see or hear many birds such as pine siskins, juncos, bluebirds, robins, grosbeaks, magpies, ravens, hawks, and woodpeckers.