State Champion Pinon tree visit and loop hike

Did you know that Mesa County was the home of the Colorado State Champion Pinon Pine? It is an awesome big tree. Well worth a visit.

This loop hike will be partly on roads and partly off-trail - some strenuous sections. We'll start with a visit to the champion tree and then wander through some pleasant Dominguez-Escalante Ntl Conservation Area flats and canyons.

Expect about a 7 mile loop hike. While I enjoy friendly, well-behaved dogs - this hike comes across areas with lots of potato prickly pear. So if you dog is also cactus-aware then they are welcome.

Rain-gear in your pack and spare shoes for after the hike are both good ideas.

Please arrive in time for an 8:30am departure from the parking.

This will be a slight variation of the WSA hikes done on 5/27/2021 and 6/8/2023 - check out some photos at:
https://www.meetup.com/westernslopeadventurers/photos/31432691/
and
https://www.meetup.com/westernslopeadventurers/photos/33624874/

Important Note: This is a participate at your own risk event! Hiking/Biking/Kayaking/Skiing/Climbing/Driving is risky. Every year people are hurt or killed because they go beyond their abilities, get lost or bring the wrong gear. Off-trail hiking adds an extra level of risk. Driving to and from the trailhead involves driving along a narrow road. Driving is risky. This is a meetup event, meaning I am not a hired, professional guide or instructor for this event. I am organizing the event not leading it. You are responsible for yourself in this peer-to-peer platform of events, you need to have enough experience to be self sufficient. By signing up for this event you acknowledge that you (AND YOUR GUEST) accept the risk and are solely responsible for your own safety and will do the necessary research to understand the conditions of this event and the gear or requisite knowledge you require. This includes possible health problems resulting from the wrong-level of medication combined with exercise.