Trail Overview
This route is somewhat bumpy. It does lead you through some tight areas as well, so pinstripe as much as possible. Along this route, you will see some very interesting trees that are growing in very peculiar ways. You have a good chance of spotting unusual wildlife along this route as well. There is also open ranching going on, so you may encounter livestock as well. There are multiple mud holes, but all of them seem to have a solid bottom. This trail does offer a lot of unique views along the way.
Difficulty
The trail has a mix of packed dirt and rocky sections, with loose and embedded rocks creating a bumpy ride in some areas. Several mud holes and areas of standing water can develop after rain, but the ones observed had solid bottoms and did not create significant obstacles. Portions of the route become tight as the trail passes through dense trees and brush, making pinstriping possible. Despite the uneven terrain, there are no major technical obstacles, large ledges, deep ruts, or difficult climbs along the route.
History
Haycamp Mesa has a long history of ranching, sheepherding, logging, and transportation. Historic stock driveways and early roads crossed the mesa, providing access between ranching areas around Dolores and the higher summer ranges of the San Juan Mountains. The Lost Canyon Stock Driveway served as the primary livestock route across Haycamp Mesa throughout much of the 20th century and was used predominantly by sheep operations. Hispanic and Basque sheepherders also left hundreds of historic carvings, known as arborglyphs, in the area's aspen trees. Historic surveys have documented stock trails, camps, roads, and other remnants associated with generations of livestock use. Logging and forest management also shaped portions of the mesa and contributed to the extensive network of roads that exists throughout the area today.
