We are lucky to have a great hiking trail for year-round use in Durango. The Smelter Mountain Trail, located on the east side of the mountain, is a wonderful way to get some exercise and enjoy the best views of Durango from the top.
Colorado Parks & Wildlife Smelter Mountain Trail signage courtesy of Bill Koons
Colorado Parks and Wildlife allows this trail to be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the winter months for human use only – no dogs. Yet I still encounter people hiking with their dogs. I know they think their dogs are human, but they’re not.
Smelter Mountain is probably the only CPW trail in the state open in the winter. Come on, dog owners – let’s not ruin this opportunity to keep it that way. There are plenty of other trails to hike with your dogs.
Bill Koons
Durango
