Macey Lakes Work Ride and Trail Report on June 15 '24

The trail is clear of horse-stoppers all the way to the lake from the Horn Creek Trailhead.   We were able to remove some large trees from the trail and it can easily be accessed the whole way.  Note as of this date though there were still some snow drifts about 10 minutes from the lake which did stop our horses.  So we tied them and walked up.  These should be gone in the next 2 weeks for the summer.  

The trailhead is still the same this year and includes 1 14x14 corral, 1 highline pole setup, and 1 hitching post.  There is no water for horses or people.  There is a pit toilet. There is trailing parking available and it is located on a large circle drive so rigs can exist easily. The access road is dirt for the last mile with very small amt of washout and a small incline. On summer high season weekends the trailer parking can have atv's etc so get there early.  The weekdays are usually fine. Parking overnight and camping is free. Remember this is a weed free hay area and to *Always* pack everything out that you bring in for this high alpine environment. 

Always remember - do not leave extra hay anywhere in this area.  It is a high alpine environment and hay kills what's underneath within a week. Also local wildlife does not eat the old hay.   Also leave the corral areas clean and boot the poop in the grassy areas because it also kills everything beneath. 

The trail starts at Horn Creek trailhead near Westcliffe. It goes up to a beautiful high mountain lake, starting on the rainbow trail which has ATVs, bikers, dogs, hikers, etc. It changes to a wilderness trail up to the Copperstain Cliffs, wildflower meadows with grand views and a beautiful high mountain fishing lake.

Here is the COTREX link to the trail

https://trails.colorado.gov/trails/macey-12258

Macey Lakes Trail Ride and Trail Report on July 29 '23

UPDATE Aug '23 - The Forest Service has cleared the tree attached to the root ball.  The rootball is still there but it is stable and there is now space to get around it.  Thank you Forest Service team!

Trail Report - We've opened Macey Lake Trail up to the first lake for equines and hikers! Located just outside of Westcliffe off the Rainbow trail. 

There is one obstacle which we can't remove and will leave to the USFS… Pictures are attached. There is a single track space between the root ball and the rock slab. Our group and a few others went through it (along with many hikers). It isn't comfortable for horses if any size, and not easy for them to navigate. It is up to you and your level of comfort with your equine.

There is still more trail work to to do to remove some trees that are on the ground and which you can step over. There is also more work to clear the finger aspens within the 8-foot corridor and some brush etc.

The trail starts at Horn Creek trailhead near Westcliffe. It goes up to a beautiful high mountain lake, starting on the rainbow trail which has ATVs, bikers, dogs, hikers, etc. It changes to a wilderness trail up to the Copperstain Cliffs, wildflower meadows with grand views and a beautiful high mountain fishing lake.

Here is the COTREX link to the trail

https://trails.colorado.gov/trails/macey-12258