- Hawkins Preserve - Hawkins Nature Preserve is a 122-acre preserve on the southern edge of Cortez. Access is FREE & open to the public, but it can be difficult to find the perfect sunrise watching spot if you’ve never been. After our tour, it’s easy to come back to explore the area by yourself. Hawkins is a popular dog-walking area, but please check in with me before your bring your friend! **This tour is NOT in Mesa Verde NP, but has great views of the plateau.
- Tea and coffee provided
- Snacks available
- Private transportation
Experience the morning sunray’s illumination over the famous plateau of Mesa Verde located in Hawkins Nature Preserve. Enjoy a cup of coffee foregrounded by the majestic canyons while gaining knowledge about the rich past of southwest Colorado.
Our trail covers an easy distance of two miles over varied terrains. Guests are welcome to further explore the region on their own after our guided walk! Dogs are allowed, but do ask us before bringing yours along! Our journey across the preserve will enlighten you about its remarkable geology & ecology.
We will pause to observe the sunrise over the La Plata mountains & Mesa Verde National Park from the precipice of the canyon. A morning trek is incomplete without refreshments, so I will be carrying your preferred choice of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate & a local bakery’s delight! Following sunrise, the walk will resume across the pinyon-juniper forests, pausing intermittently to understand different types of plants & animals. A visit to an ancient ruin, over a thousand years old, will engage us in a discussion about the lifestyle & traditions of the inhabitants who constructed Mesa Verde.
- There is a wheelchair accessible trail. We will not be able to see all of the tour, but accommodations are possible.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.