Polique Canyon - 2N09

Trail Overview

This Trail is a wide, pine-forested route with mild elevation changes and scenic views throughout. The dirt surface stays relatively smooth with occasional deep mud puddles on one side of trail after weather. Open to the public, it crosses private land in Holcomb Valley Ranch. Suitable for most high-clearance 2WD vehicles during dry, favorable conditions.

Photos of Polique Canyon - 2N09

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Difficulty

The trail is mostly smooth and wide, with minimal ruts or obstacles. While 2WD is likely sufficient in dry conditions, wet weather can introduce big muddy sections and puddles. No significant technical challenges are present, making this a suitable route for stock vehicles and drivers seeking an easy off-road experience.

History

Bill, a skilled marksman, was often hired by fellow prospectors to hunt bears for food. On one such trip through Polique Canyon, he reached the ridgeline and spotted a picturesque valley about two miles to the north. The group later named it Holcomb Valley in his honor. The next day, Bill and his Cherokee companion, Ben Choteau, wounded a massive grizzly bear and tracked it across a quartz ledge that caught Bill's eye. Three days later, they returned to collect quartz samples and brought them to Caribou Creek for testing. While washing the rock, they discovered gold glimmering in the creek bed--washed down from the surrounding ridges. Word spread quickly, and by July 1860, the valley was crowded with prospectors.

Technical Rating

Polique Canyon - 2N09 can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV
• SxS (60")
• ATV (50")
• Dirt Bike