Table of contents:
Crestone: a community of Artists.
Early history of the San Luis Valley & Crestone
5th Annual Crestone Music Festival
Alternative Building in Crestone
 |
 |
|
||
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
 |
|
|||
Hiking the majestic Sangres
by Ben Brack
by Ben Brack
The Sangre de Cristo range stretches seventy-five miles from the Salida area south into New Mexico. These abrupt mountains boast eight peaks over 14,000 ft and fifty- three over 13,000 ft. As a separate range these southern Rocky Mountains serve as a significant topographical barrier that divides the high plains desert of the San Luis Valley and the fertile Wet Valley on the eastern slope.
These mountains were formed when a “block”, that is now the SLV Valley floor, dropped between the uplifting ranges of the Sangres and the San Juan mountains to the west. This geologic phenomenon created a closed basin from which water cannot escape except through underground seepage. This configuration provides a fertile landscape despite the harsh high altitude desert climate. Such landscape supported numerous native American tribes, and later the lure of gold brought others to reap the peaks’ rewards.
Today these mountains still yield treasure to those hearty enough to go hiking for it. Old mining trails have been improved and maintained by the Rio Grande National Forest Service to provide back country access to hikers, climbers, and campers. The majority of this area has been classified as wilderness area that does not permit the use of mechanical implements within its boundaries. From the town of Crestone and the Baca Grande subdivision, four trail heads are accessible.
North of town is a Forest Service campground appropriately named the Crestone Campground. Camping sites are equipped with parking spots, tent sites, picnic tables, and established campfire pits that may be utilized only if local fire conditions permit. Communal outhouses are also available. A forest service campground host is usually on site to answer questions and collect the nominal campers fee.
The North Crestone Lake trailhead can be found at the top of the campground. This trail winds up 3,400 ft in six miles to a high alpine lake surrounded by peaks.
The South Crestone Lake and Willow Creek trail heads can be found by continuing west on Galena Avenue past the Crestone Mart. A high clearance vehicle with four wheel drive is recommended for the access road. South Crestone Lake trail is a cousin to the North Crestone Lake trail but offers better views of the Valley during its four-mile climb, that gains approximately 3,000 ft in elevation. Willow creek is a steep but popular trek past Willow Park, Willow falls, and a collection of high alpine lakes. From these lakes a mountaineering route ascends the NE ridge of Kit Carson Peak that tops out at 14,165 ft.
Lastly, the Cottonwood Creek trail, accessible from the Baca Grande subdivision, offers a less traveled route to the Crestone Peaks via Cottonwood Lake. A climb of 5,000 ft in six miles crosses a saddle just north of Milwaukee peak, connects with the Sand Creek trail and eventually descends into the heart of the Great Sand Dunes National Monument. All of these trails offer amazing views, bounding hearts, and labored breathing. They should not be attempted unprepared or in questionable physical condition.
site
created and maintained by
Crestone Creations Publishing
PO Box 472; Crestone, Colorado 81131
719.256.5222