1 Whether you are looking for a challenging alpine adventure or a casual hike with beautiful Colorado scenery, we’ve compiled 17 of our favorite San Luis Valley Trails. Plus, we’ve provided insider tips, so you can hike like a local! Whichever hike you choose, you are sure to find adventure and create lasting memories. After your hike, stop by the Colorado Welcome Center in Alamosa or visit us at alamosa.org for advice on how to make the most of your stay with us. We can direct you to one of our local restaurants, let you know the best fishing spots, and share with you the rich cultural history of our area. Stay with us a while! Experience the thrill of sand boarding down a 750-foot dune. Marvel in the splendor of Zapata Falls. Enjoy the serenity of soaking in a geothermal hot spring. Feel the warmth of small- town hospitality. Discover what it means to truly get rooted in the San Luis Valley. This Trail Guide is published by: Alamosa Convention and Visitors Bureau 610 State Avenue, Alamosa, CO 81101 Copy Writing: David Gordon All photos in this publication contributed by David Gordon except where otherwise noted. Graphic Design: Savannah Schlaufman Copyright © 2018 Alamosa Convention and Visitors Bureau ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this booklet may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed to Alamosa Convention and Visitors Bureau, 610 State Ave., Alamosa, CO 81101. All efforts were made to ensure the accuracy of this Trail Guide by press @peaks_and_pizza time. The Alamosa Convention and Visitors Bureau assumers no responsi- bility for any changes, errors or omissions. The Alamosa Convention and Visitors Bureau assumes no liability for inju- ries or accidents that occur while engaging in activities that are outlined in this pamphlet. Participants should act in accordance with their abilities and knowledge of the activities described. Visit us online at: alamosa.org Or call us at: 1-800-BLU-SKYS 2 3 Westcliffe 114 96 285 e k e r C e u a ch Saguache Sa g San Luis Peak Crestone Kit Carson Pk 14,014 14,165 Challenger Point 14,081 Crestone Pk Humboldt Pk 14,064 Moffat 69 14,294 Crestone Russell Needle 14,197 Salida a285 Lakes BACA A NATIONAL S Monarch Pass Poncha T A Creede I WILDLIFE N 11,312 S 17 REFUGE G Springs R Medano Pass N R 149 R A I M 10,150 io G La E G A O Mt. Ourayra Poncha Pass Garita n A T GREAT SAND DUNES U 13,971 de 9,012L D N Center NATIONAL PARK N U E O 112 AND PRESERVE Visitor T 1. HIGH DUNE TRAIL M Center 285 Hooper A 50 C a Del Norte I R San Luis N S PAGE 6........................................................................................... Lakes State Park I a S South Forkn S L 160 Mosca T u a i 2. MOSCA PASS TRAIL s Ellingwood Point O C Rio 14,042 160 Gran de Mt Lindsay 14,037 a re e Blanca Pk Little Bear Pk 14,037 PAGE 8........................................................................................... Bonanza k 150 14,347 15 Blanca Wetlands MONTE VISTA 3. ZAPATA FALLS TRAIL Villa Grove NWR Wolf Creek Pass Alamosa a160 ALAMOSA NWR Rio Grande S 370 PAGE 10......................................................................................... Scenic Railroad A Blanca M Al a Fort Garland N m o s O a R S J i v 368 Smith a U e r 4. NORTH CRESTONE TRAIL U Reservoir 114 g N A Pagosa u T N 285 159 a A Springs c I Rio Grande PAGE 12.............................................................................. h e N Scenic Railroad C S 15 160 r e a e k La Saguache Jara 5. ORIENT LAND TRUST TRAIL Sanford San Acacio C 142 o S San Luis n e j PAGE 14............................................................................. o A Byway s Los Caminos Antiguos Romeo Manassa A R N r iv Crestone e San Pablo e r G v T i 84 6. ALAMOSA WILDLIFE REFUGE TRAIL R I a R S M Sanchez an Conejos Mesita San Francisco J u R 17 Antonito E Reservoir an N O S A 159 PAGE 16......................................................................................... I U G 285 D A OLORADO R BACA C i a 285 N o Garcia E A T NATIONAL G L T r Jaroso 7. RIO GRANDE TRAIL N a Costilla Lumberton Los Pinos N EW M E ICO n WILDLIFE d U Ae Amalia O 17 REFUGESan Miguel C 522 PAGE 18............................................................................. M 64 I a Chama R a N La I 8. EMBARGO CREEK TRAIL S Garita S PAGE 20............................................................................ Center 17 T 112 Visitor O Hooper Center 9. OXBOW TRAILS SYSTEM Del Norte San Luis Lakes State Park PAGE 22............................................................................. 160 10. PENITENTE CANYON TRAIL Mosca Rio PAGE 24............................................................................ Gran de Monte Vista 11. MIDDLE FRISCO TRAIL 150 15 Blanca Wetlands PAGE 26................................................................. MONTE VISTA NWR Alamosa 160 160 12. CREEDE MINING LOOP a Fort Garland Rio Grande 370 PAGE 28............................. Scenic RailroadBlanca Al a m o s ALAMOSA NWR a R i v 368 13. GIANT FIR TRAIL Stunner Pass e r PAGE 30........................................................................................ 159 Rio Grande Scenic Railroad 14. WOLF CREEK PASS TRAIL 15 La Jara PAGE 32......................................................................................... Sanford San Acacio C 142 o San Luis 15. SOUTH ROCK CREEK TRAIL n e j o Byway s Los Caminos Antiguos PAGE 34......................................... R Manassa iv 16. DUCK LAKE TRAIL er PAGE 36............................................................................. 17 Antonito 159 OLORADO R 17. DEL NORTE QUARRY TRAIL C i 285 o G r PAGE 38............................................................................. a N EW M E ICO n d 4 e 522 5 a Seasons Great Sand Dunes National Park is open 365 days a year. Heavy winds or thunderstorms are the only limiting factors. Water/Bathrooms Water is available at the Visitors Center store. Food is available at the Sand Dunes Oasis. Bathrooms are at the Visitors Center and the Main Dune Parking Lot. Check for sea- sonal hours. HINT - Bring your own water and food as a backup. Pleasures and Perils Hiking and playing on the dunes is a won- derful experience. Views across the dune fields and into the high mountains over 13,000 feet (4,000 meters), often snowcapped, are a unique experience like nothing else in the US. It is a day at the beach and a day in the mountains! Skiing, sand boarding, using saucers, and running down the steeper slopes are all part of dune fun. Sandboards can be rented from Kristi Mountain Sports, Driving Instructions From Alamosa, at the junction of Highways Sand Dunes Recreation or the Sand Dunes Oasis. The dunes are 17 and 160. North on 17 for 13.1 miles, turn right (East) at the sign shaped by wind, which can be strong and cause discomfort to ex- for Great Sand Dunes, 16 miles straight to junction of CO 150, left posed skin, eyes, nose, and face. On sunny days, the sand surface (North) to Park. OR, take Hwy 160 East 15 miles to sign for Great temperatures can reach over 140 degrees and burn bare feet. Sand Dunes. Turn left on CO 150 for 20 miles to Park. (This route Sand will get into shoes and everything else you may be wearing. takes you by historical markers for Zebulon Pike’s expedition in Protect cameras, phones, and anything that sand can damage. 1807 as well as the turnoff for Zapata Falls road). Trailhead Parking Main Dune Parking Lot - 1/2 mile past Visitors Center. Left turn down road to parking lot. Overflow parking is along road. Terrain If Medano Creek is flowing, there will be wet sand and stream water from several inches to over 12” deep with surge flow. After crossing the creek bottom, the terrain is all sand on varying degrees of slope. In winter, the hike could include snow. Significance These are the highest dunes in North America. The dunes are a scientific wonder for weather, geology, biology, and history. There are species of animals that live nowhere else. From watching the surge flow in Medano Creek, to watching sand grains blow across the surface and constantly erase footprints, the dunes provide both a playroom and a classroom. Trail Notes When Medano Creek is running, expect wet feet. Bring towels and dry shoes and socks. In May through Septem- ber, if hiking in the mornings, the sun will heat up the sand. Wear shoes to avoid burning feet. If feet are burning, dig into sand be- low hot surface temperatures to cool off skin and try walking on shadier side of dunes if possible. There is a fee to enter into the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Pets are allowed. Remember, if @karolinamarie the sand is hot for your feet, it is for your dog’s paws too! 6 7 LENGTH: 7 Miles Round Trip DIFFICULTY: Moderate Terrain Rocky, tree roots, dirt and gravel. Easy footing. From April to June there could be ice and snowpack on trail making for somewhat slick or postholing footing on the lower section, along the creek in the shady portions of the trail. (Postholing is a term for walking on snow but when snow softens, falling through from Driving Instructions From Alamosa, there are two ways. Go shin deep to thigh deep.) north on Hwy 17, 13 miles from junction of 160/17. Take right/east Water/Bathrooms Water and bathrooms are available at the for 14 miles to junction of CO 150 and left/north to Sand Dunes 5 Visitor Center store.