Jones Creek #867

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail begins on FS Road #538, and heads south. It immediately drops about 200 feet as you descend into Jones Canyon. After about 1/3 of a mile, you'll come to a junction, you need to go right, heading down canyon, and then take an immediate left (so the second left) which goes up a slope. You'll pass through a gate that prevents vehicles over 50 inches wide from entering the trail.

The trail, as of 2020, is clearly marked with signs indicating the trail number and arrows pointing you in the right direction. These signs don't always last, however, so be prepared to find the correct path on your own. If you leave the trail and head up the road that goes up Jones Canyon, you'll end up near the junction of the Little Piney Road and FS road 538.

If you head down canyon, you'll end up at Jones Spring, where the road dead ends. Continuing on the actual trail, however, will take you through nice pine forests. The trail weaves its way up a ridge before flattening out a bit. At one point, the trail leads you to an area with a sign that says "The View" but Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar are nowhere to be found.

It does have some nice benches, birdhouses, and a sign-in book inside a box that has a "give a treat, take a treat" policy. It's a great place to take a break. The trail continues until it intersects with the Buck Creek Road, which will lead you up to the Little Piney Road and the Monument Peak area.

Hawks, vultures, elk, deer, northern flickers, songbirds, moose