Wheat Grass Trail #046

USGS Quad - Causey Dam and Monte Cristo Peak. The trail crosses the creek several times, but you can negotiate it without getting your feet wet. The upper portion is more difficult, ascending more than two thousand feet through thick brush and rocky outcrops. It meets Highway 39 on Monte Cristo below Little Monte at the large powerline. Wheatgrass Canyon is a narrow canyon surrounded on both sides by steep canyon walls. The west facing slopes of mixed conifer offer wildlife cover while the east facing slopes of oakbrush and high bush are excellent forage for big game animals. Wheatgrass Creek runs year-round and the trail generally stays with the creek. Birding and wildlife viewing can be enjoyed in the riparian habitat along the creek as well as on Causey Reservoir. It is home to deer, elk, bobcat and many other kinds of wildlife. The complete hike from Causey to Monte Cristo is about 10.0 miles one-way. If you park a second vehicle on top, the hike can be done in one day. Wheatgrass Canyon, so called for the fine tall wild wheatgrass growing in the canyon, provided good hunting access for the early hunters and trappers as well as modern day hunters. The Canyon holds the remains of an old was mill site used in the late 1800's.