16 COLORADO
McPhee Reservoir
Peaceful McPhee Reservoir lies in the small town of Dolores, Colorado. Near the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center is a hill with a paved half-mile trail to the top. The hike up is rewarded by views of Anasazi ruins and this vista of the McPhee Reservoir. We hike this trail often as a form of exercise and enjoy the view, but this particularly cold winter day we got to the top and it looked so quiet and peaceful, far away from the hustle and bustle of life down below.
REMNANTS OF HISTORY
Just west of McPhee Reservoir lies Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, the home to America’s highest known density of archaeological sites that preserve artifacts from native cultures.
FUEL UP
Generate energy for the hike with comfort food from The Farm Bistro, serving locally sourced meat and produce for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday in nearby Cortez, about 12 miles from the reservoir. thefarmbistrocortez.com