Carrizo Auto Tour Preview

• The Auto Tour utilizes gravel roads that are suitable for most vehicles, including sedans and RVs. Be cautioned that the roads can become slippery with even small amounts of rain; we therefore suggest that you refrain from enjoying the Tour during inclement weather.

• Each stop on the Tour is designated by an Auto Tour logo sign, a short description of the stop, and a number that corresponds to the numbered narratives in this brochure.

• Also included are six Points of Interest (POI) that make intriguing “drive bys” or short side trips off the main Auto Tour route. Each POI sign has a Point of Interest sign and a letter that corresponds to the lettered narratives at the end of this brochure. Before you begin, check the map for the locations of each POI so that you can plan to include those that interest you in your tour.

Along the 180-mile route of the Carrizo Auto Tour, you can explore pioneer homesteads and the Santa Fe Trail, interpret Plains Indian rock art, and walk where sharks once swam. In addition, the spectacular landscape provides varied and abundant wildlife habitat and excellent bird watching opportunities, especially at sunup and sundown when animals are most active.

Plan on approximately 5-8 hours to drive the loop and visit the major sites along the route.

For more information visit the following websites:

Canyon and Plains www.secoloradoheritage.com

Colorado Birding Trail www.coloradobirdingtrail.com

Establishing a Better Route for the Military

Shortly after Fort Union was established in New Mexico in 1851, Lt. Colonel Edwin Vose Sumner, commander of the Ninth Military Department at Fort Union, ordered the young Lt. John Pope to scout a better route along the Santa Fe Trail for military freight.

For years, the route Pope discovered was a little used trail. When the Atchison, Topeka & Sante Fe Railroad reached Granada, Colorado in 1873, the 200-mile segment between Granada and Ft. Union, New Mexico became the major supply route for military and civilian goods heading southwest to New Mexico and Arizona.

After the first steam engine reached Trinidad, Colorado in 1878 and Santa Fe two years later, the Granada - Ft. Union military road fell into disuse. Today a 6-mile segment of the route is preserved on the Comanche National Grassland.

Carrizo Creek is often called "A Prairie Oasis" and is one of the only three perennial streams on the Comanche National Grassland.

The east fork of Carrizo Creek flows through this small canyon graced by juniper and cottonwood trees.

American Indian petroglyphs in the images of mountain sheep, elk and deer can be found along the canyon walls. A variety of wildlife, especially birds, can be seen in the early morning or before sunset.

The rugged sandstone canyon walls of Picture Canyon provide visitors with scenic views and the opportunity discover a variety of plants and wildlife, unusual rock formations and fossils, Plains Indian rock art and early 20th century homestead remains.

The site provides three sheltered tables, a restroom and 14.5 miles of hiking and equestrian trails. Camping is allowed in designated parking areas only.

The Great Plains Courier the founding of the Aubry Branch of the Santa Fe Trail.

François-Xavier Aubry was born December 3, 1824 near Quebec. In 1843 at 18, he left his home and moved to St. Louis, Missouri where he began working as a clerk for a French-Canadian merchant company.

In 1846, lured by the talk of trade, making money, and adventure on the Santa Fe Trail, he gave up his job as a clerk and became a full-time trader. By 1850, Aubry had traveled multiple routes with the goal of finding the shortest sand-free path that provided adequate water and wood. In 1851 he found it—establishing what became known as the Aubry Cutoff.

The Comanche National Grassland Ranger Station is located in Springfield, Colorado in the southeast corner of the state. It is small farming and cattle ranching community with lots of sunshine, and a typically dry climate with mild winters. Summers are usually dry and hot. In town there are several spots to eat and get gas for a vehicle.

Comanche National Grassland

Carrizo Unit

P.O. Box 127

27204 Highway 287

Springfield, CO 81073

Ph: 719-523-6591

Fax: 719-523-4861