The San Luis Valley
Interesting Points South Of Poncha Springs In The San Luis Valley
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Heading south over Poncha Pass and
the first town you'll reach is Villa Grove, population 40. This particular area of the San Luis Valley
offers breathtaking views of the Sangre De Cristo Range to the east.
There is a very good breakfast & lunch restaurant in
the back of the general store on the east side of the road.
Also, note a sign in town that speaks of the region's history. |
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From Villa Grove, the very small and old mining area that was known as Bonanza is approximately 20 miles to the west. There are so great spots for fall foliage viewing during the autumn season, and only a very small handful of people live in the former mining area. |
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The Great Sand Dunes National Park
is arguably the largest, most scenic and most interesting draw
in the valley. The Sand Dunes span for numerous square miles and the height of the dunes range from about 500 to 1000 feet above the valley floor. The above photo gives one an idea of the size of some of these dunes. |
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South, near the Colorado and New Mexico border, lies the oldest town in all of Colorado. San Luis was settled in the 16th Century by Spanish settlers and it's San Luis Station Of The Crosses is a popular place to walk, pray and enjoy religious-based architecture. |
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The Wolf Creek Pass region comprises of the far western edge of the San Luis Valley watershed. Pagosa Springs is west of the Contintental Divide, and Ski Wolf Creek is a ski area to the east of the divide. (This photo was taken when this webmaster bicycled to the summit from South Fork.) :) |
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The historic and quaint small town of Creede in Mineral County is also part of the San Luis Valley region. The Rio Grande begins in this area, starting as a mere infant as it flows into the San Luis Valley, New Mexico and eventually bordering Texas and Mexico. |
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One picture of the vast open spaces of the San Luis Valley. |
