COME TO LIFE / Broad Horizons BROAD HORIZONS IN THE SAN LUIS VALLEY: ALAMOSA, SAN LUIS & MONTE VISTA SIDETRIPS Those who love rock climbing, biking, hiking and hunting may want to spend a day in Saguache , an hour north of Ala-mosa. The intimate community is surrounded by the Sangres to the east and 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 Muse-um, 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. 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 craft food and beverages. COLORADO The meandering Rio Grande River snakes through a vast valley ringed by dramatic mountains and filled with hidden lakes, waterfalls and cool summertime temperatures. Explore the small towns and attractions tucked away in this intriguing area. 1 DAY 1 Leap into the valley’s deep historical roots in San Luis . With history dating back to 1540, it was officially established in 1851 and is the state’s oldest town. La Vega , a plot of land on the edge of town, is where settlers first established a communal way of life 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 (3) . 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 nestle against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Then go out and play on Colorado’s most unique “beach” — Medano Creek. For area hikes, check out Zapata Falls — In the sum-mer, they’re a cool respite; winter temperatures turn them into a giant ice sculpture — or Penitente Canyon amid 100-foot canyon walls. Detour to Hwy. 17 and check out two unusual spots: 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 informa-tion on the valley’s surprising number of UFO sightings. Sargents is another little town tucked in the valley that’s popular with outdoors lovers. 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. STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Alamosa (page 188), Antonito (page 188), Crestone (page 193), Fort Garland , La Jara , Manassa , Monte Vista , Moffat (page 201), Mosca (page 202), Sargents (page 203) Saguache (page 203) QUICK TIP 176 / Blanca Vista Park is a favorite of locals for its picnic areas, wildlife spotting and several miles of well-managed singletrack trails for mountain bikers. You can see the Great Sand Dunes from the park’s Crestone Trail. COLORADO.COM THIS PAGE, GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE. OPPOSITE PAGE, FROM LEFT: MOUNTAIN RAILS LIVE, MILES/ERIC GRAY; SHRINE OF THE STATION OF THE CROSS, MILES/DENISE CHAMBERS.
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2018: Page 176
