During Lunch on Day 1 of my recent Earthwatch Adventure we stopped at the base of the La Ventana…read more(Window) Natural Arch. It's more of a scramble than a hike to get up to the Arch itself and it's well worth the effort, even though I hadn't yet acclimated to the altitude. The last vertical steps are also a bit tricky and left me wondering if there were a safer way down via the other side. The payoff is to experience a stunning view of the San Luis Valley and observe a hundred+ year old pinon pine. The Natural Arch was formed by the action of wind, rain and weather on a volcanic dome. This eventually carved a large hole through the rock forming a complete circle. This place really reminds me of the old Star Trek (TOS) episode called "City on the Edge of Forever". I half expected that if I jumped through the portal that I would go back in time and meet Edith Keeler. In any event, it was certainly windy enough to blow me somewhere else within the space-time continuum. Yet on the other side, was rolling green landscape and a nice place to enjoy a sack lunch. And at the end of my stay here (and unlike Mr. James Tiberius Kirk), I was in no hurry to "Get the Hell Out of Here".

This isn't a business. It's a very beautiful natural feature from the largest volcano ever to…read morehappen, well, on earth. Go see it.

he Elephant Rocks are part of the Fish Canyon Tuff; volcanic ash welded together over time and has…read morebeen determined to be at least 28 million years old. While the origin of the Wagon tracks is still greatly debated, it is believed that these tracks were cut into the soft volcanic tuff by the action of conastoga wagon wheels. Our Geology-based Earthwatch Expedition spent a lot a time in this area, including parts of the Masonic Park Tuff that revealed itself as we traveled farther in. We had a great time drilling holes (with permit), orienting, using a Schmit Hammer to measure rebound (rock hardness), and collecting samples. This also involved a great deal of hiking at high altitude, which by the end of the trip, put me in really good physical shape. The high desert scenery was also stunning and introspective. I may never pass this way again, but I'll never forget my experience.

First ever time camping in CO and I loved it. Weather was great (minus the few times it rained)…read morelocation was perfect and the company was even better. We got there late at night around 11pm, so we really didn't get to see the beauty but oh man when we woke up in the morning it was breath taking. The nights weren't to cold, maybe around mid 50s and the days were around 80s. We had spot 2, it was pretty roomy for 5 of us and our 2 tents. Theres one bench and a little fire pit. It over looked the lake which was awesome. One thing I really enjoyed which you don't get with most camping spots is a clean restroom. The camp host really takes pride in keeping the area nice and clean and you can tell by going into the restroom. The camp ground area is pretty big, not sure how many spots they have but they all range in size. The location is minutes away from the town Southfork and Pagosa Springs. Also theres a pretty cool spot we went to called Fun Valley which is basically a spot for RVs and campers. My aunt and uncle have been going for 20 years and they stay there months at a time. Nice little getaway if you are into that stuff. Theres plenty of spots you can cast your reel and catch yourself a fish. We took a little trail that lead us to where the water runs down from the mountain. The trail was really nice, easy to walk. What made the walk even better is that you walk through the forest, nothing but green everywhere. Such an awesome camping trip for being last minute. I had a good time and will definitely be going back again.

Just super. There are deer and a bunch of nice birds. There are several gay wolves on premesis…read morekissing

Our next stop was Orient Land Trust (a 2000 acre land preserve) which contains Valley View Hot…read moreSprings/camp ground. It is not AANR affiliated but it boasts the same values. It is clothing optional. While there (on a Tuesday/Wednesday) we saw very few people with even cover-ups on. There were people of all ages. It's very rustic, you have to bring in all of your food & supplies. I'm from Idaho (the impetus for the trip is my high school reunion in Boise) so I knew how careful you have to be storing & disposing of food in mountainous areas with bears, mountain lions, and other wildlife. The posted rules & special bear-resistant trash cans are a necessity! It was a new experience for my husband. Luckily we didn't see any bears, but we saw lots of deer. To get to OLT, you take a long dirt road up into the foothills. Along the way, a mile or so of fence posts had shoes & boots placed on them from years of visitors to OLT carrying on the tradition of olden days when the tops of posts were coated in tar or oil, or old boots, to protect them from weathering so fast, so we found out. Bring an old pair to add to the fun practice! Any kind will do. Staff was super friendly. Bathrooms were super clean. The community pavilion was a large covered round structure with a fire pit in the middle, a functional community kitchen, and lots of tables. We brought s'mores to share over the fire. There is a bunk house (shared sleeping area like a hostel) and cabins to rent. We chose to tent. It got down to 49 degrees at night (in late July) but not a problem with lots of blankets. Some campsites offered a view of the valley while others are nestled into the wooded hillside. Be prepared to hike up & down almost never flat roads and trails to get to anything. Speaking of hikes, we chose to take the (almost nightly) guided hike to see the thousands of bats that emerge from the deserted mine right after sunset. I'm not going to lie! It was a grueling 2 miles up steep terrain but worth the views on the way up. There was a full moon so seeing the mountains across the valley & viewing the bats' flight would have been better but for the haze from a nearby forest fire, but still breathtaking. The sight (and smell, I'll leave that for you to discover on your own) of thousands of bats flying out of the mine cave was worth the trip, though I wasn't really sure about that until the next day. It was a really hard hike up and back down & I'm not in the best shape. Everyone was huffing & puffing at some point but my muscles were screaming. The guide & a few others really helped with all their encouragement. They have a yurt (used to be a tee pee) where they offer massages, body work, reflexology and such, but we didn't have time, though we sure could have used it. Now about the pool & hot springs! There are lots of hot springs of varying shapes, sizes, & temperatures. Some are nearby the central areas and others are a hike up the mountain. They have built the cutest handrails and bridges from natural materials at each of them. These are natural springs so there are uneven grassy or rocky edges and the bottoms are rocky, pebbley, & slippery...water shoes or sandals can be helpful (but also need to be good for walking up & down inclines so not flip flops). I can't even put into words how beautiful the views are from the different hot springs. At every one, we found people soaking and reading a book. Or sitting on benches around the springs reading. It's a very peaceful place and they enforce noise & nuisance rules (especially from the posted "extra quiet" hours between 10 pm and 8 am). They close the gates each night & no one can come in or out. The pool is a traditional cement pool but filled from the springs. No chlorine. They drain it every Wednesday & power wash it. There are lounge chairs & pool noodles for use & a convenient bathroom/shower & sauna connected to it. We highly recommend this place!! It's a true naturist experience. We can't wait to return & stay longer! They only allow so many day passes and overnight stays per day to preserve the land & resources so call ahead! It's about 3 hours south of Denver. We recommend stopping in Fairplay, CO on the way down. Great little lunch places & last place with a decent grocery store before you get there.

I used to love this place; the vibes were immaculate & everyone was welcoming and friendly. This…read moretime though... there were way more clothed people than nude & I got openly stared at like I was an alien from another planet (I'm a fully transitioned transmasc individual) by older people, mainly men (with their wives). There was a lot of loud conversation everywhere, including some guy who was going on about the wonders of AI... I think the clientele has shifted. No smiles, no morning greetings, the vibe was totally off. It was VERY crowded seeming too, moreso than usual it seemed, and it felt like everyone was on top of each other for things like the bathroom and pools. The meadow pool and waterfall pool also needed some cleaning, they were really thick with algae this time. The staff as always were lovely & helpful. I'm surprised at the changes here in the people, though, I may not return.

Lake Como trail was a lot of fun. The hike to Lake Como isn't easy so pack light. I would also…read morerecommend starting early in the morning because there isn't a lot of shade along the trail to protect you from the sun. Don't forget your bug spray (I've never seen so many mosquitoes in my life). Be careful on Blanca and Ellingwood because it's easy to lose the trail.

Things you MUST know about the most common Mount Blanca trail:…read more 1. Hardest Off Road trail in the country. 2. Overnight camp at beautiful Como Lake. There are 2 campsites one will cross before getting to Como Lake if your in a sticky situation. 3. Takes about 5-7 hours to get to Como Lake. There may be a large stream or two interrupting the trail at some parts that one must navigate (over 100 yeards after rainfall) 4. 3 hours to summit blanca after leaving Como Lake. 5. Will pass 3 lakes in all reaching peak. One with a large 50 foot waterfall. 6. Not many people climb this fourteener compared to others because of its location. 7. Ellingwood and Little Bear are accessible from this peak. 8. This is a Moderately Difficult Fourteener. 9. Como Lake and Summit offer spectacular views.

This joyous roadside hike is perfect for people of all ages. It's short, and even amateur…read moreboot-strappers from the lowlands or sea level, who routinely struggle at altitude, should be able to make it up and down. Mountain lions do call the area home, as is the case across the high country. What was different here was the size of kitty potty found on the trail. It was 18 inches long. Translation: very big cat. With 4,000 puma statewide, for me, by way of trail signs, this has been a pretty active region. One of the best visuals came one winter while snowshoeing in a remote, deep snowscape. I followed the extended gait of a fellow traveler, in five to ten foot snow, thoroughly enjoying the easily identifiable stride set by a very large mountain lion, the top of the snow constantly disrupted by the sashay of its tail on the rising and falling terra of rolling hills and high alpine meadow.

This is an awesome roadside stop for a short, but steep hike. When we went the water was a tickle,…read morebut it was still very pretty. The real highlight is the birds, with a great variety in the treetops. I wish we got there a bit earlier before the headed up. Only downside are the portapoties right by the entrance that smell horrible, even just walking by.

Great Sand Dunes National Park is otherworldly and honestly one of the most unique landscapes to be…read moreexperiences in North America. It's a bit of a smaller park in terms of trails and not going to be like RMNP so make sure you know what you're getting into. We planned our trip for May when the creek is usually flowing and the dunes are optimal for sledding. Unfortunately for us we hit a patch of bad weather and it was drizzling our whole day spent here. Additionally the park is experiencing a dry spell and the creek that is usually flowing in May was still dry. C'est la vie! We still had a blast climbing the dunes, letting the kids play in the sand, and taking in the views. To be honest the views are the best part - it's incredible to see these dunes and learn more about the history of the landscape in this region of Colorado. We didn't get to sled as the conditions were not ideal for it but we plan on someday returning and doing the full experience. If you're on the fence about coming here it's well worth a visit!

We stopped at Great Sand Dunes National Park during a scenic drive to Durango and were impressed by…read moreits unique landscape. The massive dunes set against the surrounding mountain range create spectacular views unlike anything else in Colorado. The visitor center was well maintained, with clean restrooms, an informative museum, and had a short film highlighting the dune ecosystem. There is also a large gift shop, though prices were on the higher side. While I would not consider it a destination on its own, it is absolutely worth a stop if you're traveling through this part of the state. Note: No vehicles of any type are allowed on the dunes.

If you're going to be nearby at Sand Dunes NP, Zapata Falls is definitely worth the trip! The road…read moreup to the trail head is one of the bumpiest drives I have ever been on -- even though it is only a few miles, expect it to take 25+ minutes. The trail itself is really well marked, clean, and takes only 10 or so minutes to the top. The best part is being able to walk through the river (sandals/chacos/water shoes recommended), in between the rock cave walls, and get very close to the waterfall. It was like an oasis. Such a fun, free, and quick activity!

This short hike to the falls was one of the most worthwhile mini adventures taken in a long long…read moretime... The reward was this magical ice covered masterpiece of nature... We got super lucky with our timing and caught the falls in one of the most amazing moments.... Do not pass this one up...

South-Central Colorado is where the Rio Grande National Forest lies…read more I sure did miss this place. Every summer when I was younger, my dad would stop slaving in the oilfield and my mom would take me out of school for two weeks just to go camping up here. This was back before truancy laws became so strict in the New Mexico educational system. I caught my first rainbow trout in the Rio Grande River. I remember how exhilarated I felt. I especially remember how proud my folks were. This is where I learned to *really* listen to nature. Where I learned my dad was resilient when he wanted to be. Where I learned my mom was a whole lot more fun to be around than when she was yelling at us three kids at home. This is where I gained a love of hiking. I would give up a lot of things just to go hiking with my grandad and grandmother in these forests again. This is also where I met my former fiancé. May he rest in peace. Works Cited https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/riogrande

We were in Creede for a couple of days and decided to take the Rio Grande National Forest up and…read moreover to Lake City and I'm glad we took this route. It was absolutely stunning with the Falls, wild turkeys, deer and spectacular views of the Colorado Rockies. It rained most of the day so we had to proceed with caution driving through the mountains. There's tons of places to camp and OHV friendly trails to take your toys out onto. I highly recommend this area if you're driving to Lake City or Gunnison.