Route: Big Dominguez and Little Dominguez Canyon Loop (CO)

This route is fantastic for those looking for a bit of adventure during the shoulder seasons in Colorado.  Located just southeast of Grand Junction the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness is a unique offering in Colorado, with similar climate and geology to nearby Moab, UT.  I generally followed the route on Alltrails titled "Big Dominguez and Little Dominguez Loop", though there are sections where the trail disappears and you need to route find / choose your own adventure.  Included in the route-finding portion is finding your way from the end of the plateau (Upper Bar X trial), near No Mans Mesa, into Little Dominguez Canyon - this is a little tricky, the USGS route has you going around the North side of No Mans Mesa, but from my experience it's much easier (ie less dangerous) to go around the South side of No Mans Mesa - this requires some scrambling and reading the landscape intelligently.   The route is easy to follow otherwise.  Primary highlight for me in the black-rock that lines both creeks, similar in hue to what you see in Black Canyon, with deep red and orange tones lining the canyon itself.  

- Submitted by Greg Mauger