Petroglyph, Dinosaur Track, Canyons, Birding, Float trip, & Sand Creek Site Tours

The 18th  ‘Annual Rollin’ Along the Santa Fe Trail’ Auto Tours  and ‘Bent on Birding and Heritage’ Festival provides a popular annual venue for visiting Southeast Colorado during May 14-17, 2015.  Join the 4 day trips and 3 evening treks to celebrate Birding & Wildlife, and Colorado Archaeology & Historic Preservation Month.

    Over 400 migrating and resident birds and other wildlife have been sighted in the canyons, plains, lakes, rivers and ranches, featuring historic  petroglyphs and dinosaur track attractions.  Expert guides are available at this annual event seeking the elusive Black Rail, Piping Plover, Least Tern and more.  Also see historic sites and highlights where Kit Carson, Zeb Pike, William Bent, St. Vrain, Prowers, Boggs, Ambassador Thompson, ‘Festus’ of Gunsmoke and others lived or explored.   Have lunch on the trail and dine with guides in the evenings, see movies, go on day trips and night hikes to seek nocturnal birds and wildlife.

Contact:  BentOnBirding@yahoo.com or call 719-980-1320 for more information. See brochure on May calendar: www.TheAVBridge.com.  Early registration special extended to April 20:  4 day-tours including lunch and fees, T-shirt and gift bag – $60; children free with adult.  Reservations for daily tours, meals, lectures, programs are on space available basis.  Lectures and programs are free.

Auto tour schedule:

  Thursday, 9am – Private Ranch tour to see petroglyphs, homesteads, Picketwire with lunch (4-WD needed).

   5:30 pm.  Speaker on Sand Creek. Dinner; 6:30 pm. Program on Terns and Plovers by Duane Nelson; evening birding tour to seek Black Rail and night birds or movies.

  Friday:  6:30 am NEW Birding Tour with expert, Duane Nelson to see migrating and shore birds.  8 am– History tour, Red Shin Trail, John Martin Dam-guided tour, Dinosaur tracks, Petroglyphs & more. 6pm.  Dinner & Program.

  Saturday:   6am: NEW! Drive South then a 4-mile hike to Natural Springs on private ranch with bird guide Nelson or ‘Picture Canyon’.  Space is limited.   9am:  History tour of famous pioneers.   8am and 1 pm:  two 1/2 day ‘Quiet float’ trips on John Martin, $40 per person/limit 7.   6pm: visit the Annual ‘Spring Evening at Boggsville.   Meal & program options.

   Sunday:   6 am:  Sunrise Birding Tour and Breakfast buffet.   9 am:  Guided history tour begins atBent‘s Old Fort, 5 sites, including CampAmache and Sand Creek Massacre site.