There are two tailheads, which start at 8,500′ elevation and gain 300′.  According to Lon Abbott, Geology Faculty at CU Boulder, you might think you are hiking a dike, considering the area’s abundance of dikes, the resemblance of this trail’s rock fin to those dikes, and the trail’s name. Instead, you will ascend the Dakota Hogback, a fin of erosion-resistant, 100-million-year-old sandstone that was tilted up on end 65–70 million years ago during the birth of the Rocky Mountains. Check out the Geologic Guide to the Dikes Trail on our Geoheritage page to learn more.

Location: 

• North End of the Trail: From La Veta take state CO Highway 12 to Cuchara, turn left at the Cuchara Chapel (Oak St), follow road (3/4 mile)  to trailhead and parking lot. This is the access to the “north” end of the trail.
• South End of the Trail: There is another trailhead on the south end on Park Road.