Located on the Southern slope of Animas City Mountain, Dalla Mountain Park, also referred to as Sailing Hawks, is the most multifaceted land in Durango.
Getting There
The park’s trailheads are both located in town.
To get to the eastern trailhead, drive, bike, or walk north up 550 until you hit 32nd street. From there, head west on 32nd street until the road ends on West 3rd avenue which is three blocks up. Here you take a right into a large dirt lot with a trail map at the entrance gate.
To get to the Central trailhead, drive, bike, or walk north up 550 until you reach 25th street. Continue west on 25th for one mile and the dirt parking lot will be on your right. There will also be a trail map at the entrance gate here.
The entrance gates are designed to block out motorized vehicle traffic. You may continue on foot or with a bicycle.
The Recreation
The park itself is 177.8 acres and is home to 4.7 miles of trail, according to Durango’s website.
These trails were carved with recreation in mind. Smooth turns, rocky inclines, and total immersion in scrub oak makes Dalla Mountain Park any mountain bikers dream.
But the access does not end if you go without your wheels. The hiking takes you through the same scenery and the bikers seem to always give the hikers space, passing them with care.
A third way to recreate in the public land is by playing on the many boulders that line the trail. Dalla Mountain Park is home to so much climbing, the local bouldering guidebook dedicated nearly half of its content to the park. Just make sure to move your crash pad when a biker rolls through.
Also, since this land is south-facing, it gets a good amount of sun which can allow for nice hiking on temperate winter days.