COME TO LIFE / Broad Horizons In the San Luis Valley: Alamosa, San Luis & Monte Vista BROAD HORIZONS IN THE SAN LUIS VALLEY: ALAMOSA, SAN LUIS & MONTE VISTA DAY 1 Leap into the valley’s deep historical roots in San Luis . With history dating back to 1540, the town was ocially established in 1851 and is the state’s oldest town. La Vega , a plot of land on the edge of town, is one of the country’s only remaining commons; settlers first established a communal way of life there in the late 1800s and laid claim to the area’s first water rights before Colorado was even a state. Make time to visit the more contemporary Shrine of the Stations of the Cross . Gripping bronze sculptures depict Christ’s judgment, crucifixion and resurrection, positioned along a path that winds up a mesa to an adobe chapel. Continue north to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve 1 . Stop by the visitor center to learn how these seemingly inexplicable dunes — North America’s tallest — came to be nestled up against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Then go out and play on Colorado’s most unique “beach” — Medano Creek. Detour to Hwy. 17 and check out two unusual attractions: the Colorado Gators Reptile Park , where you can see and even handle some of the more than 300 alligators and other scaly critters; and the UFO Watchtower , a quirky roadside attraction providing information on the valley’s surprising number of UFO sightings. SIDETRIPS Those who love rock climbing, biking, hiking and hunting may want to spend a day in Saguache , an hour north of Alamosa. The intimate communi-ty is surrounded by the Sangre de Cristos to the east and the San Juans to the west. A fort-turned-town, Fort Garland was originally established to pro-tect early settlers in the San Luis Valley. The namesake structure still survives as the Fort Garland Museum, where visitors can tour adobe buildings, view Hispanic art and check out a re-creation of famed frontiersman Kit Carson’s quarters while he served as commander. Northwest of Alamosa, the enclave of Del Norte enjoys a prime location alongside the Rio Grande River. These Gold Medal waters are made for anglers, particularly those who enjoy float fishing. Other can’t-miss natural wonders include Penitente Canyon, the Natural Arch and Elephant Rocks, where volcanic ash welded together to create rock formations more than 28 million years old. Tucked into the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, tiny Crestone is a unique blend of spiritual New-Agers who frequent the Hindu temple and Zen center, artists and their galleries, and outdoor enthusiasts taking advantage of hiking, camping and birding. A new addition to town is Crestone Brewing Co., a nano brewpub serving up cra food and beverages. South of Alamosa and Del Norte, you’ll find Conejos , a town that reflects the culture of Old Mexico and boasts fantastic fly-fishing opportunities. COLORADO The meandering Rio Grande River snakes through a vast valley ringed by dramatic mountains and filled with hidden lakes, waterfalls and cool summer-time temperatures. Explore the small towns and attractions tucked away in this intriguing area. 2 railroad whisks riders to a mountain-top amphitheater 2 that’s only accessible by train for music, barbecue lunch and cra brews. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, another rail adventure, is a 1880 train that travels from historic depots in Antonito, Colorado, to Chama, New Mexico. Back in Alamosa, walk to downtown’s restaurants, many of which specialize in Mexican cuisine. For a sunset adventure, head west to the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge to view American avocets, killdeer, white-faced ibis, herons and other wildlife. Thousands of people flock to the refuge in March during the Monte Vista Crane Festival to admire more than 20,000 migrating sandhill cranes. From nearly anywhere in the valley, you can admire a beautiful sunset by gazing eastward to the Sangre de Cristo range, which turns crimson as the sun slides below the horizon. DAY 2 In Alamosa , stop by the Colorado Welcome Center in the historic train depot and purchase tickets for the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad . During the summer, the 1 STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Alamosa (page 195), Antonito (page 196), Crestone (page 201), Fort Garland (page 204), La Jara , Manassa , Monte Vista , Moat (page 209), Mosca (page 210), Saguache (page 211) QUICK TIP 186 / The Alamosa Live Music Association’s Sundays @ Six free summer concerts are the best way to wind down from a day of exploring amid beautiful San Luis Valley skies. COLORADO.COM FROM TOP: MOUNTAIN RAILS LIVE, MILES/ERIC GRAY; GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE, JAMES FRANK.
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2017: Page 186
