Dan Arnold Hiking
  • Trips
  • Favorites
  • Photos
  • Gear

Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness


Rattlesnake-Mee Route

Walking the Upper Access Road into Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness
Both access roads are closed to Rattlesnake Canyon in March, an ideal time to walk the area as the roads become trails
Camp on the Upper Access Road in Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness
I started in late afternoon and camped about halfway up the access road. The roads were muddy making the decision to stop for the night easy
Two Feathers Arch in Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness Colorado
By mid-morning I had hidden all water for the week and descended into the lower level with a view of Two Feathers Arch
Rattlesnake Mee Canyon Route Overview
I did what I am calling the "Rattlesnake-Mee Route" over four days.  All water was carried from the start.  Day one was a planned half day to break up the water carry into the area. 
Hiking map of Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness backpacking trip
Overview map of the walks.  The purple/blue is the Rattlesnake-Mee Route.  The yellow is the Mee-Knowles Route (yet to be completed)
Camp above Mee Canyon near Crown Arch in Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness
My favorite camp of the week, overlooking Mee Canyon near Crown Arch
Crown Arch at sunset in Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness in Colorado
Crown Arch at sunset
Cedar Tree Arch in Rattlesnake Canyon
The next day I walked north into Rattlesnake Canyon.  The upper Rattlesnake trail is better than the lower although camping down low is required by BLM
Centennial Arch or East Rim Arch above Rattlesnake Canyon in Black Ridge Wilderness Colorado
The arches have several names making research confusing, but know that most of the major arches are in this area. Centennial Arch is the largest, also known as East Rim, Rattlesnake, or Akiti Arch
Ladder on the route down into Mee Canyon
On the final day I went briefly into Mee Canyon to check out the alcove. The trail system is more rugged than Rattlesnake although marked with cairns throughout
Mee Canyon Alcove in the Black Ridge Wilderness Area in Colorado
Mee Canyon Alcove is impressive.  Largest alcove in the Colorado Plateau
Mee Canyon Alcove creek flowing on the hike in the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness area in Colorado
From deeper in the alcove

2022   2021   2020   2019   2018   2017   2016  2015   2014

Favorite Hikes
Photos
Current Gear
Complete List of Hikes
Photos, text and design by Dan Arnold
Contact: darnoldhiking@gmail.com

  • Trips
  • Favorites
  • Photos
  • Gear