The Kiwanis Club of Raton is honored to host the final 2003 AVA Convention walk through Sugarite Canyon State Park, located seven miles northeast of Raton, New Mexico, on Sunday, June 29th. Driving distance from Colorado Springs to Raton is 148 miles; if driving from Colorado City, the distance is 85 miles.

Located at 7,800 feet elevation in the mountains near Raton, Sugarite (pronounced Sugar-reet) is in a rugged forest of pine, fir and aspen, and has two lakes, including the 120-acre Lake Maloya, plus campgrounds, multi-use trails, an abundance of wildlife and the ruins of a historic coal town. Sugarite Canyon State Park has some of the most stunning scenery in northeastern New Mexico. Wildlife is abundant: bear, wild turkey, and mountain lion sightings are common, and Sugarite also harbors a remarkable variety of birds, 70 species of wildflowers and numerous butterflies. Summer is brief on Raton Mesa, so butterfly season is already fast and furious by mid-June.

Buses are required for transportation to and from the Start/Finish point in Sugarite Canyon State Park. All walkers will park in Raton, at the K-Mart store located near the intersection of US 87 and US 64. For a combined fee of approximately $3 per person, (bus transportation and park entrance fee) walkers will be transported to the walker drop-off area.

5 Km walkers will walk along side of Lake Maloya, traveling a short distance into Colorado, before returning to the Start/Finish. 10 Km walkers will walk around Lake Maloya, with an excursion up to Lake Dorothy before returning back to the Start/Finish.

Walkers should watch for deep blue Rocky Mountain iris, purple wild oregano, orange and red Indian paintbrush, woodland sunflowers, and white aster. The most notable bird at Sugarite is the handsome Merriam's wild turkey. Wild turkeys are found throughout the park, feeding on Gambel oak acorns, berries, insects, and grasshoppers. Mule deer are fat and sassy at Sugarite -- in fact, they're doing better in this area than they are in the rest of the state. The brushy vegetation that doesn't suit elk does suit the mule deer, to a T.

The area around Raton, New Mexico, is the site of the only known footprint of Tyrannosaurus Rex yet discovered in the world. T-Rex roamed the perimeters of vast mudflat swamps in this region during the Cretaceous Era, 65 to 135 million years ago. A plaster reproduction of this three-foot-long footprint can be seen in the park visitor’s center. Today, Sugarite still looks like dinosaur country. Eons ago, that rustling in the foliage would probably be T-Rex himself; today, it's likely to be a wild turkey or a black bear instead.

The 5 Km trail is rated 1+ and consists of gravel and paved roads. The 10 Km trail is rated 2+ and consists of gravel and paved roads and dirt hiking trails with some small hills as you go around the lakes. Athletic shoes are the appropriate footwear for 5 Km walkers. Hiking boots are recommended on the 10 Km trail for those that require extra ankle support on uneven surfaces and a walking stick for balance would be a good choice. Due to the requirement to use bus transportation to get to this walk, no pets will be allowed. Strollers can complete the 5 Km trail. Wheelchairs can complete a portion of the 5Km trail.

Raton, Sugarite Canyon State Park, The Kiwanis Club, and Rambling the Rockies await your arrival and hope to see you at the convention.