Welcome!To our first edition of Spanish Peaks Trips. You’ll note that we didn’t call this Daytrips, even thoughyou could do the majority of these trips in a day, or if you drove really fast, in a couple of hours.

Blitzing through these trips, however, is not the point. These are just a few of the paths to fol-low and places to see as you tour around the magnificent Spanish Peaks, which are centered inHuerfano and Las Animas counties, and ringed by the Scenic Highway of Legends.

These trips were put together by the staff of the Huerfano World Journal to highlight what we feelare great places to see for all types of travelers; whether you want to go hiking, absorb the local his-tory, dine on fabulous local cuisine, or take a driving tour- either on road or off. We suggest youtake your time, see the sights, meet the people, take lots of photos, and enjoy your time in this mag-ical place.

If you want to go on a fast paced vacation, go to Los Angeles or Orlando. If you want to takeyour time, come to Spanish Peaks Country.

On the front page of this magazine, and on select adsthroughout its pages, you’ll see a small logo like the onehere in the lower left hand corner. It means that pagehas been ‘enhanced’ with Layar, which is a digital in-terface with your hand-held device- a smart phone or

tablet (Android or iOS). Simply downloadthe free Layar app, from www.layar.com oryour app store, to your device, then ‘scan’the page, and you will have a springboardfor all sorts of new information about thatpage or advertiser: a link to their websiteperhaps, or to a video, or to their facebookpage.

About Layar

Table of ContentsScenic Highway of Legends

A beautiful drive around the Spanish Peaks, the focal point of Spanish Peaks Country page 6

Culture clubArt galleries, workshops, music festivals, and museums of Spanish Peaks Country page 10

World’s best trail mixHike to the 12,360 foot high glacial Lily Lake, or climb the West Spanish Peak page 14

Taos TrailRetrace a portion of the historic Taos Mountain Trail, a trading route between Taos and the Great Plains used from 1100 AD through the late 1800s. page 18

Baby Packs and StrollersFamily and budget friendly ideas for vacationing in Spanish Peaks Country page 22

Grab some grub and a winkDining and lodging in Spanish Peaks Country page 24

Tee TimePublic and private golf courses from Pueblo to Trinidad page 26

One of the best known attractions insouthern Colorado is the Scenic High-way of Legends, which loops around

and between the twin Spanish Peaks of Huer-fano and Las Animas Counties. In 1987, it wasdesignated as a Colorado Scenic and HistoricByway. The 82 mile main route follows StateHwy 12, US 160, and Interstate 25. A 35-mileextension goes over Cordova Pass Road, up andover the “saddle” between the peaks, throughSan Isabel National Forest and re-connects withI-25, just past Aguilar. To travel it, start at thetop of Cuchara Pass on Hwy 12, and take FR415, to CR 46, to CR 43.7 west of Gulnare.

The terrain it encompasses varies from highmountain passes to windswept stretches ofprairie. The highway connects many historicand scenic towns, including Trinidad,Stonewall, Aguilar, Cuchara, La Veta, andWalsenburg. The byway is well known for itsbreath-taking scenery, mountain views, fish-filled lakes, historic sites, and diverse culture.

TRAVEL TIPS:  Don’t forget to

shop in the stores ofHuerfano and LasAnimas counties.The area is full ofsmall business own-ers, committed tobringing qualityunique items toshoppers.

When descendingmountain passes,save your brakes bygearing down likethe ‘big boy” truck-ers do.

Scenic Highwayof Legends

For more information about other things to do on the Scenic Highway of Legends, please goto page 14 for hiking, and page 22 for budget friendly activities, including horseback riding,fishing, dining, and miniature golf. Galleries and arts info can be found on pages 10 and 12.

page 6 Spanish Peaks Trips Scenic Highway of Legends

WPA tunnel through a dike wall on Cordova Pass

Scenic Highway of Legends Spanish Peaks Trips page 7

Spanish Peaks Country visitor linksSPANISH PEAKS REGION: Colorado Welcome Center in Trinidad: http://www.colorado.com/colorado-welcome-center-trinidad-0Spanish Peaks area Fast Facts directory: download pdf at huerfanojournal.com/new_site/see-and-do/ Spanish Peaks area news: www.huerfanoworldjournal.comState Wildlife Areas interactive maps: http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks

HUERFANO COUNTYHuerfano County Tourism Board: Spanishpeakscountry.comLa Veta/Cuchara Chamber of Commerce: www.lavetacucharachamber.comHuerfano County history huerfanohistory.org

LAS ANIMAS COUNTYCity of Trinidad Tourism Board: historictrinidad.com/tourism.htmlTrinidad city map:  http://historictrinidad.com/images/PDF/citymap.pdfDowntown Trinidad map: http://historictrinidad.com/images/PDF/downtown.pdf

Spanish Peaks Country

FESTIVALS, RETREATS AND SHOWSThe Cuchara Country Music Festival cucharacountrymusicfest.com/Spanish Peaks International

Celtic Music Festival celticmusicfest.com/

Spanish Peaks Harp Retreat spanishpeaksharpretreat.com/Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre www.scrtheatre.com/Francisco Center for the Performing Arts www.lavetatheaterweb.org/The Spanish Peaks Arts Council www.spanishpeaksarts.org/

page 8 Spanish Peaks Trips Scenic Highway of Legends

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The Peaks really rock: Unique geology of the Spanish PeaksThe Scenic Highway of Legends is part of the

Spanish Peaks Trail portion of the ColoradoBirding Trail (CBT). Not an actual trail, the CBTis a statewide network of highways linking out-door recreation areas and other points rich inbird and wildlife viewing opportunities, as wellas paleontology and archaeology sites.

The Spanish Peaks Trail’s 20 sites include theScenic Highway of Legends as well as prairie,rimrock canyons, riparian cottonwood habitats,and lakes... nearly running the gamut of Col-orado habitats and biodiversity.

The trail leads through Walsenburg, LathropState Park, La Veta, MacDonald’s Reservoir, Wa-hatoya Valley, Devil’s Stairsteps, Cucharas CreekRoad to Trinchera Peak, Cordova Pass, NorthLake, Stonewall, Bosque del Oso State WildlifeArea (SWA), Spanish Peaks SWA, Trinidad Lake,Lake Dorothey SWA, Trinidad, Welch Ranch,Rancho Largo, Roberts Cordova Ranch,Apishapa SWA, and Tim Williams Ranch.

The diversity and abundance of bird lifealong the Spanish Peaks Birding Trail is amazing.Examples include migrating songbirds at the his-toric Masonic Cemetery in Walsenburg, andwhite pelicans, snow geese, canvasback ducks,and American avocets at Lathrop State Park.

La Veta is a good place to see hummingbirds,warblers, downy woodpeckers, and flycatchers,as well as ravens, great horned owls, and turkeyvultures. Nearby lakes draw a variety of water-fowl, and bald eagles. At Wahatoya Valley,dusky grouse, nuthatches, kinglets and three-toed woodpeckers are good possibilities.

Golden eagles, prairie falcons, and white-throated swifts soar above the Devil’s Stairstepssouthwest of La Veta. A hike up Cucharas CreekRoad to Trinchera Peak offers a chance to seeptarmigans. North Lake SWA is home to Amer-ican dippers, flamulated or saw-whet owls, elk,porcupines and pine martins.

See pygmy nuthatches and plumbaceousvireos at Stonewall, and Lewis’ woodpeckers,turkeys, and northern goshawks at Bosque delOso SWA. The remote and beautiful southernflank of the mountains, seen at Spanish PeaksSWA, hosts all three nuthatches, and in pon-derosa pine forests, the rare Abert’s squirrels.

Trinidad Lake (west of Trinidad on Hwy 12)and Lake Dorothey SWA (on the CO/NM border,access from I-25 exit 452 in Raton) offer views ofducks and marsh birds. For a $10 fee, one canvisit several grassland ranches to view birds, in-cluding breeding long-billed curlews, scaledquail, greater roadrunners, and curve-billedthrashers.

Apishapa Canyon SWA has phoebes, com-mon poor-wills, scaled quail, burrowing owls,bighorn sheep and soft-shelled turtles.

Portions of this article first appeared in the HWJin a comprehensive piece on the Spanish Peaks Bird-ing Trail, by Patsy Garber. To read the entire article,go to huerfanoworldjournal.com, and type “Bird-ing Trail” in the search bar.

For full information on the entire ColoradoBirding Trail, as well as the Spanish Peaks BirdingTrail, please visit: coloradobirdingtrail.com/portfolio/spanish-peaks/

The Scenic Highway of Legends is for the birds!

Near Farley Overlook by Cordova Pass

page 8 Spanish Peaks Trips Scenic Highway of Legends Scenic Highway of Legends Spanish Peaks Trips page 9

crew using a Hasselblad camerawith 250-mm lens, and is providedby the Earth Sciences and ImageAnalysis Laboratory at JohnsonSpace Center.

This information and map are

reprinted from NASA’s Earth Obser-vatory, a website devoted to exploringthe causes and effects of climatic andenvironmental change through the useof real satellite data. For more informa-tion go to: earthobservatory.nasa.gov/

A. Excellent examples of radialdikes may be seen along the high-way of Legends at Stonewall, and

B. between Cuchara and La Veta.(see photo at top of page)

A

B

The Spanish Peaks, on the east-ern flank of the Sangre de Cristorange, abruptly rise 7,000 feetabove the western Great Plains.Settlers, treasure hunters, trappers,gold and silver miners have longbeen sighted on these prominentlandmarks along the Taos branchof the Santa Fe trail. Well beforethe westward migration, the moun-tains figured in the legends andhistory of the Ute, Apache, Co-manche, and earlier tribes. “LasCumbres Españolas” are also men-tioned in chronicles of explorationby Spaniards including Ulibarri in1706 and later by de Anza, whoeventually founded San Francisco(California).

This exceptional view, cap-tured by the crew of Space Shuttlemission 108, portrays the SpanishPeaks in the context of the southernRocky Mountains. Uplift of theSangre de Cristo began about 75million years ago and produced thelong north-trending ridges offaulted and folded rock to the westof the paired peaks. After uplifthad ceased, approximately 26 to 22million years ago, the large massesof igneous rock (granite, granodi-orite, syenodiorite) that form thePeaks were emplaced (Penn, 1995-2001). East and West SpanishPeaks are “stocks”— bodies ofmolten rock that intruded sedimen-tary layers, cooled and solidified,and were later exposed by erosion.East Peak, at 12,708 ft, is almost cir-cular and is about 5½ miles long by3 miles wide, while West Peak, at13,623 ft, is roughly 2¾ miles longby 1¾ miles wide.

Great dikes— long stonewalls— radiate outward from themountains like spokes of a wheel,and a prominent one forms a broadarc northeast of East Spanish Peak.As the molten rock rose, it forcedits way into vertical cracks andjoints in the sedimentary strata; theless resistant material was theneroded away, leaving walls of hardrock from one foot to 100 feet wide,up to 100 feet high, and as long as14 miles. Dikes trending almosteast-west are also common in theregion.

This photograph was taken inDecember 2001 by the space shuttle

West PeakEast Peak

Sang

re de

Cristos

ridge

s

radial dikes

arcurate dike

•Walsenburg

•Aguilar

•La Veta

•Stonewall

•Cuchara

The Peaks really rock: Unique geology of the Spanish Peaks

Devil’s Stairsteps near Cuchara. Photo by Joe Edens

page 10 Spanish Peaks Trips

Ah, culture! Active arts and culturegroups indicate healthy and vi-brant communities. Visual artists

find great inspiration in the sheer beautyof the southern Colorado Rocky Moun-tains, as well as in the big skies and dra-matic windswept prairies.

As you drive south on I-25 towardsouthern Colorado, the splendor of theSpanish Peaks can be seen from over 100miles away on a clear day. At milemarker 69, there is a particularly stunningfull panorama of Spanish Peaks country,from the peaks themselves with FishersPeak in the distance, to Silver Mountain,Mt Mestas, the Sangre de Cristo Rangeand Greenhorn Mountain to the west.

Walsenburg’s art scene includes therecently formed Walsenburg Arts Coun-cil, outdoor sculptures by Sam Taylor andGardner artist Dave Roberts, and muralsby Ken Martinez, owner of Walsenburg’soldest gallery, Darkwood Gallery.

Visitors might be surprised to find abit of New York City in Walsenburg atthe 6,000 square foot Museum ofFriends, a contemporary art museum.The collection consists of work donated,

or lent to owners/curators/abstractartists Brendt Berger and Maria Coc-chiarelli-Berger by their friends. MOF’scollection includes the work of interna-tionally recognized artists such as surre-alist Dean Fleming, whose visit to DropCity commune near Trinidad in 1967, in-spired him to become a founder of theartist community of Libre, the first of sixcommunes in the upper Huerfano nearGardner. Other artists known in NYCsuch as Richard Mock, Dennis Oppen-heim, Linda Fleming, Fairfield Porter,Jason Crum, Larry Zox, Nancy Genn,Yoko Ono, Susan Metrican, Robert Suss-man, and Mark di Suvero have work inthe MOF collection.

La Veta is home to a thriving artscommunity with five galleries, a Schoolof the Arts, and the Spanish Peaks ArtsCouncil. Sculptures by La Veta artistJoan Hanley may be seen throughoutthe community. Several La Veta areaartists have earned international, na-tional, and regional reputations, such asart quilters Ricky Tims and Judith BakerMontano, Peggy Zehring, an expres-sionist painter in the neo-Kandinsky

m o v e m e n tstyle, land-scape artistKathy Hill,k i n e t i csculptor KenS c h n e i d e r,b r o n z esculptor JoanHanley, AnnGethen forb o t a n i c a lil lustration

Culture club

painting by Joan Hanley

Mural in Walsenburg

Doris Tracy sculpture in La Veta

Visual Arts Galleries in Huer-fano County Darkwood Gallery518 Main Street, Walsenburg(719) 738-3413www.darkwoodstudiogallery.comSilver and goldsmithing,southwestern pottery, rugs,stone skulls, and portraits.Kathy Hill's Studio Gallery512 South Spruce St, La Veta 719-742-5756www.kathywhill.comOriginal framed oils, watercol-ors and acrylic paintings ofthe Spanish Peaks region.Matted prints and note cards. Piñon Hill Art Gallery210 S. Main Street, La Veta719-742-3666www.pinonhillartgallery.comSpanish Peaks Arts Council(SPACe Gallery)132 W. Ryus, La Veta719-742-3074http: / /www.spanishpeak-sarts.org/Original art by local artists,

changing exhibitions.

Galleries in LasAnimas County A.R. Mitchell Museum Gallery & Gift Shop 150 E. Main, Trinidad, 719-846-4224armitchell.orgCorazon Gallery 149 E. Main, Trinidad719-846-0207Elm Street Gallery225 Elm Street719-242-7951

Frank Images234 N. Commercial, Trinidad719-846-3685frankimages.netGalerie Vivante214 E. Main, Trinidad719-334-0087rodneywood51@msn.comrodneywood.comGallery Main 130 E. Main, Trinidad719-846-1441trinidadartscouncil.comGolden Eagle GalleryLocal artists, art supplies,custom matting and framing.147 E. Main, Trinidad719-846-3931Purgatoire River Trading Co.113 E. Main, Trinidad719-845-0202Authentic Indian and South-western art and jewelry. Tarabino Inn & Gallery310 E. 2nd St., Trinidad 719-846-2115 or 866-846-8808

Shows/Work-shops/ClassesCuchara HermosaCuchara, (719) 742-0241President, Joy McDonaldjmjoyphil02@gmail.com 719-596-0339Vice President, Mitzi Keairns donmitzikeairns@gmail.comwww.cucharahermosa.org/Annual juried art show in July, Ricky Tims Studio and RetreatCenter. 105 W Ryus Ave, La Veta 719-742-3755 http://www.rickytims.com/

The La Veta School of the Arts105 West Ryus, La Veta 719-742-3421www.the LVSA.orgClasses and workshops foreveryone. Treat yourself to acreative experience you won'tsoon forget. Visit our websitefor details.Inner Idea ArtistsInnerIdeaArtists.comemail: IIA@rocketmail.com A group of Colorado and Seat-tle artists who have studied withPeggy Zehring, abstract artistand founder of The La VetaSchool of the Arts (LVSA), in LaVeta, Colorado. They are dedi-cated to the ideals of WassilyKandinsky, the father of ab-stract art in the early 1900s.For moire info on PeggyZehring: go to www.peggyzehring.com

PerformingArtsDramaFrancisco Center for the Performing Arts127 W. Francisco, La Veta(719) 742-5767www.lavetatheater.orgSouthern Colorado RepertoryTheatreFamous Performing Arts Center131 W. Main St., Trinidad,719-846-4765scrtheatre.com; facebookinfo@scrtheatre.comHaunted Corazon Ghost TourStorytelling tour of downtownTrinidad, 5 days a week April to Octoberstarts at Golden Eagle Gallery.719-680-4720www.hauntedcorazon.wix.com

MusicCuchara Country Music FestThe Cuchara Country MusicFestival is an annual all daycountry music event heldeach June in the tiny moun-tain village of Cuchara. cucharacountrymusicfest.com Spanish Peaks InternationalCeltic Music Festivalheld last weekend of Septemberthroughout Huerfano CountyContact: Barbara Yule 8:30 am -5 pm(719) 746-2061 or Office (719) 742-5410www.celticmusicfest.com

MuseumsHuerfano CountyMuseumsFrancisco Fort Museum306 Main St, La Veta 719-742-5501http://www.franciscofort.orgThe Alton M. Tirey Local History Center201 East Fifth Street,Walsenburginside the historic Washington

School building, 2nd floor.719-738-2840Carolyn Newman, Curator.http://huerfanohistory.org/tirey-history-center.htmlWalsenburg Mining Museum112 West 5th St., Walsenburg719-738-1992Inside the historic jail behind thecourthouse.10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mon - Fri.10 a.m. - 1 p.m. SatMay - Septhttp://huerfanohistory.org/min-ing-museum.html

Museum of Friends’600 Main Street, Walsenburg, 719-738-2858www.museumoffriends.orgPaleo + Pelagica Museum ofNatural Science300 E. 5th St, Walsenburg218-728-8926paleopelagicamuseum.comGardner Museum25240 Highway 69, Gardner’719-746-2479

Las AnimasCounty MuseumsA.R. Mitchell Museum150 E. Main, Trinidad719-846-4224armitchellmuseum.comTrinidad History Museum312 E. Main, Trinidad719-846-7217historycolorado.org/museums/trinidad-history-museumLouden-Henritze Archaeology MuseumTrinidad State Junior CollegeLibrary, Lower Level719-846-5508trinidadstate.edu/index.php/archaeology-museumApishapa Valley HeritageCenter151 Main St., Aguilar, CO719-941-4678 or 719-680-0528Open Memorial Day to LaborDay. Make appointments by callingCokedale Mining MuseumCokedale, CO719-846-7428cokedalemuseum@gmail.comOpen June through August

page 12 Spanish Peaks Trips Culture Club

and oils, and Bob Buckner for portraitsin oils.

The art scene is active up Highway12 in Cuchara as well with residentartists and muralists, and the CucharaHermosa annual juried fine art showeach July.

Trinidad, just a fewmiles north of New Mex-ico on the I-25 corridor, isa charming combinationof Victorian town archi-tecture combined withsouthwestern culture. Itboasts the Corazón deTrinidad, one of Col-orado’s official state cre-ative arts districts.According to the state ofColorado’s official visi-tors website, colorado.com, “affordable livingand beautiful landscapesin Trinidad have recentlyresulted in an influx ofartists in residence andfull galleries... On a strollthrough the quaint, brick-lined streets of OldTrinidad, you can also ogleone of the largest collec-tions of Victorian houseswest of the Mississippi.”

Harnassing Bacchus, by Peggy Zehring

Downtown Trinidad

page 12 Spanish Peaks Trips Culture Club

page 14 Spanish Peaks Trips

World’s best trailmixNo, we’re not talking about good old

raisins and peanuts, we are talking aboutthe amazing mix of hiking and mountain

biking trails in Spanish Peaks Country. This edition covers just two of the myriad

trails in the area: the West Spanish Peak Trailand Lily Lake.

West Peak Trail: Elevation at trailhead: 11,273 feet, (A) elevation at summit: 13,626 feet. (B) 

One cannot talk about hiking in SpanishPeaks Country without mentioning the peaksthemselves. The 6.4 mile round trip West PeakTrail is perhaps the most hiked path in the area,with thousands of people accessing it each year.The trail meanders relatively easily throughspruce and fir forests interspersed with highmountain meadows behind which the Peak tow-ers majestically. Higher up — where the climbbecomes more strenuous — the hiker passesthrough ancient bristlecone pine stands to theend of treeline, on the way to the talus slopesleading to the apex of the mountain. Dramaticviews and varied terrain define the West PeakTrail — a challenging and rewarding trek up oneof southern Colorado’s iconic mountains.

Getting there:To reach the trailhead for the West Peak Trail, first take

Colorado Highway 12 (The Scenic Highway of Legends)to the top of the pass. Start (0 odometer): Turn onto Cordova Pass road headingeast. In 6 miles you will reach a USFS parking area. Thetrailhead heads north from there. The elevation here is11,273 feet, and the grade is quite gentle. A half mile alongthe trail is a left (west) turn for Levy trail which leads to a

beautiful view ofthe Sangre deCristo Mountainsand the WhitePeaks of theCuchara Valley.Round trip back tothe parking area is2 miles.

Continuing onthe main trailnorth, the trailpasses through aEnglemann spruceforest, which gives way to subalpine fir trees as the climbbecomes steeper. Apishapa Trail descends to the right atthis point. Continuing up the switchbacks you will gothrough stands of bristlecone pines, just below tree line.The trail becomes rough from here to the summit. It is nota formally marked trail, because the loose stones maketrail construction difficult.  Instead, the USFS has placedrock cairns along the way.

A

B

Looking towards East Spanish Peak. posted on GoogleEarth by Hobbes7714

Ascent of West Spanish Peak, posted onGoogle Earth by www.coloradopast.com

Portions of this appeared originally in HWJ summer 2012, by Tom Macedo.Other sources include the excellent guide books by Richard Keating, Colorado’sSpanish Peaks Region, 2011 Missouri Botanical Garden Press, and available inarea bookstores, and Hiking Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, by JasonMoore, a Falcon Guide, by the Globe Pequot Press, Guilford, CT.

Ascent of West Spanish Peak, posted onGoogle Earth by www.coloradopast.com

page 16 Spanish Peaks Trips World’s Best Trail Mix

A

Huerfano/Lily Lake Trail: Elevation at trailhead, 10,700 feet, elevation atsummit: 13,500 feet. Moderately difficult 6.4mile round trip.

Lily Lake (A) itself is located in a cirque- analmost circular rock basin at 12,360 feet, wheresnow and ice accumulated during the Ice Ageto feed the glaciers that carved the HuerfanoRiver Valley. The area around it is dotted withold gold, silver and tungsteen prospecting sitesand deteriorating miners’ cabins. Fishing withflies and lures for cutthroat trout is permitted,and bighorn sheep may be seen here as well.

The trail is also used by those wishing toclimb 14er Mount Lindsay.

On the way to Lily Lakephoto by Mike Lean

Mount Blanca and Lily Lake. posted on Google Earth byvmash111@live.com

Lamb on rock just below Lily Lake. posted on Google Earthby vmash111@live.com

Getting there:Access to the trailhead can be made in a 2WD vehicle with

good clearance, but the road is very rough. 4WD is advised inspring.

The hike to Lily Lake is reached from the upper HuerfanoRiver Valley west of Gardner. Take Highway 69 west to Gard-ner. One half mile past Gardner, turn left onto County Road550 toward Redwing. (Marked for Mosca Pass, and a sign say-ing Lily Lake Trhd, 22.5 mi). At a junction in 11.8 miles, stayright on CR 580. Stay on CR 580 following the sign to theUpper Huerfano through the Huerfano State Wildlife Area toa parking area at the Singing River ranch. You can park hereand hike 6.9 miles for the rest of the way to the trailhead if theroad is too rough for your vehicle. It can be muddy, rutted orsnow covered well into June or July.

page 18 Spanish Peaks Trips

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Taos Trail

Follow the traders and trappers along theTaos Trail as the Native Americans, Spanishmilitary, gold seekers, and French spies did

for the past two hundred years. The Trail ex-tended from Wyoming to Taos, New Mexico.

You are in what was Spanish territory in theearly 19th century. Later, especially after the CivilWar, immigrants poured in to ranch and eventu-ally to find work in the coal mines. The mountainbranch of the famed Santa Fe Trail traced alongthe Taos Trail.

The fertile river bottoms used by the farmers,the disturbed earth of the coal mines, the adobe

ruins of early settlement - all are along the Trail.The cottonwood trees play into the imaginarywagons taking a shady rest. The narrow passesbetween rock formations catch the eye and thecamera lens. Stop to chat in the small communityof Gardner, the only town on the route.

This 78-mile trip, Walsenburg to Walsenburg,takes about 3½ hours. Roads are paved andgravel, and there are no gasoline stations, butthere is a cafe and convenience store in Gardner(closed Sundays and Mondays usually.)

Please respect private property and remain onthe roads.

The mileage numbers are cumulative from theWalsenburg courthouse.

This trip also offers opportunities for viewing wildlife, birds,stunning natural vistas, and the chance to observe how local veg-etation changes with a large rise in elevation. Roads are unim-proved in portions of the trip.

Taos Trail trip and mileage notes written by Carolyn Newmanand KayBeth Avery. Huerfano County Historical Society offersseveral guided history trips each summer. Photo credit: BaditoCone and Gardner Butte posted on Google Earth by adoverboy2

See page 20 for information abouteach map marker, A through L.

Follow the traders and trappers along theTaos Trail as the Native Americans, Spanishmilitary, gold seekers, and French spies did

for the past two hundred years. The Trail ex-tended from Wyoming to Taos, New Mexico.

You are in what was Spanish territory in theearly 19th century. Later, especially after the CivilWar, immigrants poured in to ranch and eventu-ally to find work in the coal mines. The mountainbranch of the famed Santa Fe Trail traced alongthe Taos Trail.

The fertile river bottoms used by the farmers,the disturbed earth of the coal mines, the adobe

ruins of early settlement - all are along the Trail.The cottonwood trees play into the imaginarywagons taking a shady rest. The narrow passesbetween rock formations catch the eye and thecamera lens. Stop to chat in the small communityof Gardner, the only town on the route.

This 78-mile trip, Walsenburg to Walsenburg,takes about 3½ hours. Roads are paved andgravel, and there are no gasoline stations, butthere is a cafe and convenience store in Gardner(closed Sundays and Mondays usually.)

Please respect private property and remain onthe roads.

The mileage numbers are cumulative from theWalsenburg courthouse.

This trip also offers opportunities for viewing wildlife, birds,stunning natural vistas, and the chance to observe how local veg-etation changes with a large rise in elevation. Roads are unim-proved in portions of the trip.

Taos Trail trip and mileage notes written by Carolyn Newmanand KayBeth Avery. Huerfano County Historical Society offersseveral guided history trips each summer. Photo credit: BaditoCone and Gardner Butte posted on Google Earth by adoverboy2

page 20 Spanish Peaks Trips Taos TrailG

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H. Bronze plaque at Badito, photo courtesy Carolyn Newman

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F

Start (0 odometer): At the1904 Huerfano CountyCourthouse on Walsen-burg's Main Street.Head out north (2.7) miles:Follow Main Street norththrough the hogbackridge, scene of deadlyfighting in the 1913-14 coalminers strike. Join I-25 north.Exit 59 (5.6 miles): See the lonely HuerfanoButte to your right (east). This volcanic plug (Huer-fano means orphan inSpanish) has been a land-mark for centuries.At this exit's stop sign:Head to the left (west) togo through the underpass.At stop sign: Take theright road (north).At the dead end: Go left(west). Big boulder at thecorner is a modern markerfor the Taos Trail.Huerfano River valley(9.2): Head west along thelovely valley where earlysettlements were built.(Watch for gravel trucksthe first two miles). To your right (north)Greenhorn Mountain is onthe horizon.Fork (10.8): Take right(northwest) fork to followthe river.Fork (11.3): Take right(northwest) fork.Cottonwood grove (11.6):Picture wagon trains paus-ing here. The Kimbrelranch here is a CentennialRanch, in the family formore than 100 years.Up the hill (12.3): Roadgoes up the hill (south)and curves west.Trail marker boulder(12.8): Turn hard left(south). The 1860's St. Mary's set-tlement was on the river, acrossing for Sangre deCristo/Taos Trail andstage road. T intersection (13.7): Turnleft (east).Trail boulder (14.7).Colo. 69 (14.9). Highway.To the left (east) back toWalsenburg. To follow theTrail and to cross themountains, turn right(west) to continue on toPass Creek.

For two miles, remains offoundations mark the for-mer coal mine camps ofSunnyside, Spanish Peaks,Strong, and Shamrock.Huerfano County's dozensof coal mines brought pros-perity, but also led to thedeadly 1913-14 coal strike. Corrals 16.8): On the left(south) was Tioga coalcamp, population at onetime was 250, and now justfoundations. When minesclosed, buildings weremoved away to lessen taxes.Red slag pile made up ofbits of coal, dirt, and rockleft from screening the coal.As you continue west onColo. 69, you come to Badito (22.5): Right (north) early countycourthouse once stoodhere (courthouse 1866-1874) on the gravel road.To the east of former court-house was a bedbug-in-fested adobe hotel now inruins. Bronze plaqueshows route of Taos Trail;the river crossing here wasa major Trail crossing. (To shorten your trip youmay head south on CR 520to reach U.S. 160. Morepicturesque route is tocontinue on Colo. 69).Farisita (28.1): Earlystore/post office. Sheep-raising center.(The mountain rangeahead is the Wet Moun-tains.

Gardner (31.4). 1860s community. Notewestern museum on left(south). Wildflower Cafeand convenience store here- may be closed Sundaysand Mondays. Surround-ing area has many adobebuildings and the remainsof a small number of Peni-tente moradas (churches). Intersection (32.6): Turnleft (west) onto CR 550.Sign says Redwing.Intersection (37.6): Turnleft (south) onto Pass CreekRoad 570 (also CR 572). Pass Creek was one of atleast five routes over themountains for early trap-pers.Malachite stone school-house (38.2).Intersection (38.5): Take left (east) road. At this intersection thebuildings visible to theright (west) surround whatwas Tom Sharp's tradingpost, doing business withUte Chief Ouray. Horseraces were popular.Intersection (41.1): TakePass Creek 8 miles to U.S.160. Rock formations, asmall stream, tree-linedlandscape. Paradise Acres (46.7) Mod-ern developmentU.S.160 (49.7): Turn right(west) for FortGarland/San Luis Valley.Turn left (east) to Walsen-burg and I-25.Walsenburg (77.9).

A.

I. Farisita church, posted onGoogle Earth by Coloradopast

B. Huerfano Butte

C and D. Huerfano River Valleyand Greenhorn Mountain

J. Gardner Trading Post, es-tablished 1868, posted onGoogle Earth by iconicj

K. Malachite School, postedon Google Earth by yodmc

L. Rock formations, Pass Creek

H. Bronze plaque at Badito, photo courtesy Carolyn Newman

Gardner (31.4). 1860s community. Notewestern museum on left(south). Wildflower Cafeand convenience store here- may be closed Sundaysand Mondays. Surround-ing area has many adobebuildings and the remainsof a small number of Peni-tente moradas (churches). Intersection (32.6): Turnleft (west) onto CR 550.Sign says Redwing.Intersection (37.6): Turnleft (south) onto Pass CreekRoad 570 (also CR 572). Pass Creek was one of atleast five routes over themountains for early trap-pers.Malachite stone school-house (38.2).Intersection (38.5): Take left (east) road. At this intersection thebuildings visible to theright (west) surround whatwas Tom Sharp's tradingpost, doing business withUte Chief Ouray. Horseraces were popular.Intersection (41.1): TakePass Creek 8 miles to U.S.160. Rock formations, asmall stream, tree-linedlandscape. Paradise Acres (46.7) Mod-ern developmentU.S.160 (49.7): Turn right(west) for FortGarland/San Luis Valley.Turn left (east) to Walsen-burg and I-25.Walsenburg (77.9).

page 22 Spanish Peaks Trips

Baby packs andstrollersFamily and budget friendly vacation oppor-

tunities abound in the Spanish Peaks re-gion. The clean air and water, lakes,

mountains, and forests invite visitors and resi-dents alike to spend as much time as possibleoutdoors, swimming, bike riding, hiking orhorseback riding. The charming historic townsoffer parks and museums, rollerskating, miniature golf and frisbee golf, and old fashionedmovie going with admission and popcornprices straight out of a previous century.

Two area water parks offer good clean funfor all ages. Walsenburg Wild Waters, has twogiant water slides, a kids slide, zero entry pool,a lazy river, diving board, interactive fountains,sprays, and dumping buckets. 719-738-2628,www.cityofwalsenburg.com/waterpark.php.

Trinidad Aquatic Center, which includes awading pool for toddlers, a 140 foot flume slideand a six lane lap pool.  It is located at South SidePark near the community center, skatepark and

frisbee golf park. 719-846-2675 or 719-846-4454 x14. For those who just want to cool off during a

day of museum going or shopping, take thekids to romp in the fountains at Cimino Park inTrinidad, next to the riverwalk. Or check outCentral Park in Trinidad, which is stocked forfishing by the 14-and-under set only.

Note: for a locator map of Trinidad parks, go tohistorictrinidad.com/images/PDF/citymap.pdf

Water oriented recreation does not stop withpools and fountains. There are a multitude ofopportunities for fishing, swimming, boating,biking, hiking, picnicking and camping at arealakes and state wildlife areas. Lathrop StatePark, four miles west of Walsenburg, andTrinidad Lake State Park both have all of that,plus geocaching, horseback riding, and specialfree weekend programs at their amphitheaters.Lathrop also has an archery range. You mayeven want to try pedal boating at 9,000 feetabove sea level at Monument Lake Resort.

page 24 Spanish Peaks Trips Baby packs and strollersFive additional lakes along the Scenic High-

way of Legends, and the headwaters of the upperHuerfano offer opportunities for high altitudepicnicking and fishing. See map on page 7 for a linkto interactive online maps of state wildlife and recre-ation areas.

Are the kids wanting to go horseback riding?Yellow Pine Guest ranch between La Veta andCuchara is sure to be a hit, as will miniature golfin Cuchara, skateboarding in Walsenburg and LaVeta, and bocce ball, roller-skating, skatingboarding, anddiscgolf in Trinidad.

Want to show the familywhat things were like whenyou were a kid? Be sure tocatch a movie at Walsen-burg’s Fox Youth Center The-atre.  Recently upgraded todigital, this volunteer man-aged theatre offers first runmovies on weekends at prices not seen in movietheatres for decades. Admission is only $5 foradults, or $3 for kids, and a large popcorn withfree refill will run you only $5.

Area libraries and museums offer fun and af-fordable activities for families.  In Trinidad, lookinto the Children’s Firehouse Museum, the

Trinidad History Museum's gift shop at 312 E.Main with coloring books and activity projects forkids, plus free croquet in the shade in the mu-seum's heritage gardens. The Louden HenritzeArchaeology Museum at the Trinidad State JuniorCollege Campus in Trinidad has a dinosaur andtracks display for kids to enjoy while adults delveinto displays about area geology, fossils, and arti-facts. In Walsenburg, check out prehistory at thePaleoPelagica Museum, or more recent history at

the Walsenburg MiningMuseum with a replica coalmine shaft and exhibitsabout life in the coal camps.La Veta’s Francisco FortMuseum has special activ-ities on weekends all sum-mer long, from NativeAmerican and Hispanicdancing, to hands onprojects and the one room

pioneer era Ritter Schoolhouse. There is no sweeter part of a vacation in

Spanish Peaks Country than a old fashioned icecream cone, eaten outside. Get yours at Grandmaand Grandpa’s Ice cream at First Choice Marketin Walsenburg, at Charlie’s Market in La Veta, orthe Barnyard Ice Cream Shoppe in Cuchara.

WalsenburgGrubA&W

719-738-3960455 US Hwy 85-87Alpine Rose Cafe

522 Main St.719-738-1157Daily specials of Mexican - Amer-ican food.  Breakfast anytime.Carl's Jr.

700 Main St.719-738-1002Corines

719-738-1231822 Main St.Mexican and American, beer,great sopapillas.Coyote Cafe

501 Walsen Ave.719-890-1055Home of the famous CoyoteBurger.  Breakfast all day.First Choice Market

Walsenburg’s First Super Market801 Walsen Avenue719-738-3200Camping supplies and foods,Bakery, deli, pizzeria, cold beer,fine cigars, movie rentals,Western Union, stamps, sport-ing goods, sporting goods andlicenses.George's

564 US Hwy 85-87719-738-3030Takeout available, servingbreakfast until 11am and lunchuntil 3pm, Tues - Sat.

Grandma’s & Grandpa’s IceCreamFirst Choice Market parking lot.Huerfano Cafe

902 W. 7th St.719-738-2041Breakfast, lunch and dinner.Mexican-American food. Take-out available.La Plaza Inn

719-738-5700118 W. 6th St.www.laplazainnwalsenburg.comFine dining at the Bistro or acasual lunch at The LibraryCafé, outdoor patio, meetingroom.Mike’s Coffee Barn

719-738-3318304 W. 7th St.New Century Asian Style Food

520 Walsen Ave.719-738-4878Buffet or menu items available.Safeway

222 W. 7th, 719-738-3301Convenient location for travel-ers heading east or west onHwy 160. Large store, large se-lection, large package sizes.Bagged ice, dry ice. 7th Street Deli

136 W. 7th St.719-738-2173Unique menu items, daily spe-cials, soups, sandwiches.Catering for special events.

Subway228 Main St.719-738-1332Taco Bell / KFC

457-A US Hwy 85-87719-738-2480Tim's Kitchen

620 Main St.719-989-0992Breakfast served all day. Mexi-can - American food served.

WinkAlpha Motel

715 Walsen Ave.719-738-2890Anchor Motel

1001 Main St.719-738-2800Color TV, queen beds, AAA. Best Western Rambler

457 US Hwy 85-87719-738-1121www.http://bestwesterncol-orado.com/hotels/best-western-ramblerComplimentary full breakfast, 24-hour front desk, truck/RV park-ing available, High-SpeedInternet, indoor pool, laundro-mat, business center, hot tub, ex-ercise facility, 100% smoke free.Budget Host Motel & RV Park

553 US Hwy 85-87719-738-3800Dakota Campgrounds &

BIRCO R.V. Service Center719-738-99121079 US Hwy 85-87

La Plaza Inn118 W. 6th St.719-738-5700www.laplazainnwalsenburg.comEleven unique guest rooms,each having its own privatebaths and high-speed Internet.Ideal for business and leisuretravelers, alike. Ideal for ban-quets, weddings, retreats andholidays. Rio Cucharas Inn

77 CR 504 (Hwy 160 west ofWalsenburg)719-738-1282www.riocucharasinn.comSands Motel

533 W. 7th St.719-738-3827The Spanish Peaks Inn

22808 US Hwy 160719-738-2167Wi-Fi, cable TV, free breakfast,microwave, small refrigeratorand coffee maker and hairdryer.Vacation Rental Home

719-251-2752vacationinwalsenburg@gmail.com.Your own private vacationhome. This is an in-town vaca-tion rental house with accom-modations for groups large andsmall. Amenitites include threebedrooms, one and a half bathsand sleeps six to eight. Boat &trailer parking available.

La VetaGrubAlys' Restaurant

604 S Oak719-742-3742Ranked number one of tenrestaurants in La Veta by TripAdvisor.comwww.alysrestaurant.comCharlie’s Market

212/214 Main St. 742-3651Full service meat departmentwith “choice” American beefand meat cut to order. Freshmade sandwiches, chicken tenders, soups, salads and assorted daily specials. Famous old fashioned icecream open year round.Deerprint Wine & Bistro

106 E Francisco719-472-4957Serving select wines and beers accompanied by finecheeses and salami.La Veta Loco

923 S. Oak St.719-742-3925www.lavetaloco.comBreakfast served in the sum-mer, Fri, Sat and Sun, or byspecial arrangement, steaks,chops & chicken, pasta, cal-zones, hand-tossed pizza, andburgers.Next Door Deli

107 E. Francisco St.719-742-3540www.nextdoordeli.com

Grab some grub and a wink

Baby packs and strollers Spanish Peaks Trips page 25

WalsenburgGrubA&W

719-738-3960455 US Hwy 85-87Alpine Rose Cafe

522 Main St.719-738-1157Daily specials of Mexican - Amer-ican food.  Breakfast anytime.Carl's Jr.

700 Main St.719-738-1002Corines

719-738-1231822 Main St.Mexican and American, beer,great sopapillas.Coyote Cafe

501 Walsen Ave.719-890-1055Home of the famous CoyoteBurger.  Breakfast all day.First Choice Market

Walsenburg’s First Super Market801 Walsen Avenue719-738-3200Camping supplies and foods,Bakery, deli, pizzeria, cold beer,fine cigars, movie rentals,Western Union, stamps, sport-ing goods, sporting goods andlicenses.George's

564 US Hwy 85-87719-738-3030Takeout available, servingbreakfast until 11am and lunchuntil 3pm, Tues - Sat.

Grandma’s & Grandpa’s IceCreamFirst Choice Market parking lot.Huerfano Cafe

902 W. 7th St.719-738-2041Breakfast, lunch and dinner.Mexican-American food. Take-out available.La Plaza Inn

719-738-5700118 W. 6th St.www.laplazainnwalsenburg.comFine dining at the Bistro or acasual lunch at The LibraryCafé, outdoor patio, meetingroom.Mike’s Coffee Barn

719-738-3318304 W. 7th St.New Century Asian Style Food

520 Walsen Ave.719-738-4878Buffet or menu items available.Safeway

222 W. 7th, 719-738-3301Convenient location for travel-ers heading east or west onHwy 160. Large store, large se-lection, large package sizes.Bagged ice, dry ice. 7th Street Deli

136 W. 7th St.719-738-2173Unique menu items, daily spe-cials, soups, sandwiches.Catering for special events.

Subway228 Main St.719-738-1332Taco Bell / KFC

457-A US Hwy 85-87719-738-2480Tim's Kitchen

620 Main St.719-989-0992Breakfast served all day. Mexi-can - American food served.

WinkAlpha Motel

715 Walsen Ave.719-738-2890Anchor Motel

1001 Main St.719-738-2800Color TV, queen beds, AAA. Best Western Rambler

457 US Hwy 85-87719-738-1121www.http://bestwesterncol-orado.com/hotels/best-western-ramblerComplimentary full breakfast, 24-hour front desk, truck/RV park-ing available, High-SpeedInternet, indoor pool, laundro-mat, business center, hot tub, ex-ercise facility, 100% smoke free.Budget Host Motel & RV Park

553 US Hwy 85-87719-738-3800Dakota Campgrounds &

BIRCO R.V. Service Center719-738-99121079 US Hwy 85-87

La Plaza Inn118 W. 6th St.719-738-5700www.laplazainnwalsenburg.comEleven unique guest rooms,each having its own privatebaths and high-speed Internet.Ideal for business and leisuretravelers, alike. Ideal for ban-quets, weddings, retreats andholidays. Rio Cucharas Inn

77 CR 504 (Hwy 160 west ofWalsenburg)719-738-1282www.riocucharasinn.com

Sands Motel533 W. 7th St.719-738-3827The Spanish Peaks Inn

22808 US Hwy 160719-738-2167Wi-Fi, cable TV, free breakfast,microwave, small refrigeratorand coffee maker and hairdryer.Vacation Rental Home

719-251-2752vacationinwalsenburg@gmail.com.Your own private vacationhome. This is an in-town vaca-tion rental house with accom-modations for groups large andsmall. Amenitites include threebedrooms, one and a half bathsand sleeps six to eight. Boat &trailer parking available.

La VetaGrubAlys' Restaurant

604 S Oak719-742-3742Ranked number one of tenrestaurants in La Veta by TripAdvisor.comwww.alysrestaurant.comCharlie’s Market

212/214 Main St. 742-3651Full service meat departmentwith “choice” American beefand meat cut to order. Freshmade sandwiches, chicken tenders, soups, salads and assorted daily specials. Famous old fashioned icecream open year round.Deerprint Wine & Bistro

106 E Francisco719-472-4957Serving select wines and beers accompanied by finecheeses and salami.La Veta Loco

923 S. Oak St.719-742-3925www.lavetaloco.comBreakfast served in the sum-mer, Fri, Sat and Sun, or byspecial arrangement, steaks,chops & chicken, pasta, cal-zones, hand-tossed pizza, andburgers.Next Door Deli

107 E. Francisco St.719-742-3540www.nextdoordeli.com

Grab some grub and a wink

Paradise Coffee305 Main St.719-742-3680www.paradisecoffeelaveta.comPanini’s for breakfast or lunch,salads, sweets, and all kinds ofwonderful hot and cold bever-ages. Check out their websitefor complete menu items.Ryus Avenue Bakery

129 W. Ryus Avenue719-742-3830www.lavetabakery.comSammie's

124 N. Main St.719-742-5435

Wink1899 B&B Inn

314 S. Main St.719-742-5599www.the1899inn.comAdagio House (Vintage House)

818 S. Oak505-466-8385www.flipkey.com, enter La VetaCircle the Wagons RV Park

126 W. 2nd St.719-742-3233www.circlethewagonsrvpark.comHardings Corner B&B

140 W. Grand Ave719-742-5423www.hardingscornerbandb.comI Love Lucy's Place RV Park

226 W. Grand719-742-3252www.ilovelucysplace.comInn at the Spanish Peaks B&B

310 E. Francisco719-742-5313www.innatthespanishpeaks.comSammie's Motel and RV Park

124 N. Main St.719-742-5425Sulphur Springs Ranch

421 Country Rd.719-742-5111www.sulphurspingsranch.comThe Olive Tree B&B

902 S. Oak719-742-5778, 719-251-5788, 719-214-1128www.theolivetreebandB.comThe Ranch House Inn

1012 Cherry St.719-742-5234www.theranchhouseinn.comTwo Fox Cabins & RV Park

404 Oak St.719-742-0260www.twofoxcabins.comWhether you are looking for aromantic long weekend, a fam-ily vacation, or just a few daysaway from the hectic citylifestyle, you will relax in com-fort, Two Fox Cabins your"base of operations" will putyou right in the center of theaction. Cabins and RV sites. The Warehouse Suite

200 S. Main, 2nd Floor719-742-5278www.thewarehousesuite.com

CucharaGrubCuchara Country Store

34 Cuchara Ave719-742-3450www.dogbarcuchara.com/dbshops.htmlFood staples, snacks, candy,pop and other last minute gro-cery items, fishing licensesand supplies, and games, puz-zles and crafts, gifts and sou-venirs.

The Barn Yard Ice CreamShoppenext to Cuchara Inn719-742-3685http://thecucharainn.com/The_Barn_Yard_Ice_Cream.phpServes nothing other than thefamous Blue Bell Ice Creamwith eight delicious flavors tochoose from. We also havesoft serve frozen yogurt andice cream.The Brewed Awakening

On the boardwalk next toCuchara Inn719-742-3685http://thecucharainn.com/Brewed_Awakening.phpHot coffee, our Famous omeletor classic breakfast, or home-made cinnamon rolls andmuffins. Open seasonally.The Dog Bar

34 Cuchara Ave.719-742-6366www.dogbarcuchara.comThe historic Dog Bar & Grillhas been a favorite in theCuchara Valley for more than32 years. The Dog Bar is aplace to connect with new andold friends, enjoy a full menuof delicious entrees and bever-ages and enjoy the best liveentertainment in the area.Check out their website for alist of events and a the liveCucharacam - a live view downMain Street, Cuchara.The Timbers Restaurant & Tavern

23 Cuchara Ave.719-742-3838www.timberscuchara.com

WinkCuchara Cabins and Condo

Rentals50 Cuchara Ave.877-7CABINS (722-2467)719-742-3340emiracleworker@gmail.comwww.cucharacabinsand con-dos.comOur accommodations provide awide range of options, from asimple inexpensive getaway tolodging for large groups.Prices from $95-$350 per night.Cuchara Inn

73 Cuchara Ave. East719-742-3685www.thecucharainn.comLocated in the heart ofCuchara Villiage, this Inn withall its improvements, offers 42rooms. During your stay,enjoy a hot homemade break-fast at The Brewed AwakeningCoffee shop on the boardwalkjust down from the Inn. A StayTo Remember.Cuchara Mountain Escape

33 Park Road719-742-3121www.cucharamountain escape.comWhile they vary in size and lo-cation, each cabin or condohas the potential to serve as theperfect backdrop for your vaca-tion experience. These homesare privately-owned, well-caredfor and maintained, and fully-equipped for your visit. Cuchara Vacation Rentals

35 Spruce Trail719-742-3960719-989-8121Dodgeton Creek Inn

137 Cuchara Ave. East719-742-5169www.dodgetoncreekinn.comOpen year round. Gourmetbreakfast menu with 90% Or-ganic food to those who re-quest it. Several rooms andsuites, most with private baths,some with kitchenettes andsome with sitting areas. Com-mon kitchen and living room.

Yellow Pine Guest Ranch15880 Colorado Hwy 12719-742-3528www.yellowpine.us

TrinidadGrubBella Luna Pizzeria

121 West Main 719-846-2750 Bob & Earl's Café

118 Robinson (on Hwy 12) 719-846-0144 Brix Sports Bar and Grill

231 East Main 719-422-8273 www.brixsportsbar.com12 ice cold beers on tap; up-scale night life; family friendly;6 huge hi-def plasma TVsBurger King

1920 Freedom Road719-846-9445The Café at Danielson's

135 East Main719-846-7119C&H Restaurant

443 North Commercial719-846-3851Chef Liu's Chinese Restaurant

& Lounge1423 Santa Fe Drive719-846-3333Clubhouse Grille

1417 Nolan Drive (at the golfcourse)719-422-8188Corner Shop Cafe

107 East Main719-845-9999El Rancho

1901 Santa Fe Trail719-846-9049Fabilis Wings

103 West Main719-846-7298Family Seed II

525 San Juan719-845-8057Great Wall Chinese Restaurant

and Lounge321 State719-846-1688Green Chili Grill at JR's Fuel

Stop731 East Main719-846-4012I Love Sugar Candy and Sweet

Shoppe259 North Commercial 719-846 2000www.ILoveSugarShoppe.comKentucky Fried Chicken

212 Nevada719-846-7723Lee's Bar-B-Q

825 San Pedro719-846-7621McDonald's

322 Nevada719-846-3322Nana and Nano's Deli & Pasta

House418 West Main719-846-2696Olé's Cantina

2833 Toupal Dr. (in La Quinta Inn& Suites Wellness Hotel)719-845-0102Peaks Restaurant & Lounge

3130 Santa Fe Trail (in the Holiday Inn)719-845-8400Primero Bread & Café

911 Robinson Ave. (at Mt. Carmel

Wellness & Community Center)719-846-4765Pizza Hut

2008 Freedom Road719-846-8236Ristras Restaurant and Can-

tina516 Elm (in the old depot)719-845-8226www.RistrasTrinidad.com Tortilla Factory, authentic Mexi-can dishes, lunch and dinnerRino's Italian Restaurant &

Steakhouse400 East Main719-845-0949www.rinostrinidad.comSafeway

457 W Main St.719-846-2246Downtown location convenientfor travelers heading north orsouth on interstate 25. Largestore, large selection, largepackage sizes. Bagged ice, dry ice. Sonic Drive-In

642 West Main719-845-0402Subway

313 Nevada719-846-6633Taco Bell

212 Nevada719-846-7723Tequila's

9990 Santa Fe Trail719-846-3514Trinidad Diner

734 East Main719-846-7798Tutti Scoops Old World Ice

Cream202 North CommercialWalmart

Just off I-25 on the southernedge of Trinidad. 2921 Toupal Dr.Trinidad719-846-4477.Wendy's Old-Fashioned Ham-

burger9960 Santa Fe Trail (I-25 & Exit 11)719-845-9143Café What A’ Grind

341 North Commercial 719-846-0505Wifi. Gourmet coffees; Break-fast, lunch and dinner spe-cials; decadent dessertsWay2Cool Ice Cream Shoppe

Commercial and MainWhistle Stop/Subway

313 Nevada719-846-6633Wing Street

2008 Freedom Drive719-846-8236Wonderful House Chinese

Restaurant415 University719-845-1888Mandarin, Hunan, Szechuanand Cantonese specialties,wine, mixed drinks; lunch anddinner; take out or dine in

WinkBudget Host Inn and RV Park. Santa Fe Trail (I 25 and exit 11). 719-846-3307Budget Summit Inn and RV

Park 9800 Santa Fe Trail (I 25 & exit 11) 719-846-2251Cawthon Motel &RV Park

1701 Santa Fe Trail 719-846-3303

Days Inn and Suites900 West Adams (I25 and Exit13a). 719-846-2215Frontier Motel

815 Goddard Ave. (I25 and Exit15) 719-846-2261Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites.

1330 Santa Fe Trail Drive 719-845-8400 x11La Quinta Inn and Suites Well-

ness Hotel2833 Toupal Drive719-845-0102719-497-8000Quality Inn Trinidad 3125 ToupalDrive (I25 and Exit 11) Trails End Motel

616 East Main 719-846-4425Trinidad Super 8 Motel

1924 Freedom Road (I25 & Exit 15) 719-846-8280Royce Ranch B&B

10,000 County Rd. 43.6719-845-0353www.royceranch.comStone Mansion B&B

212 East 2nd Street. 719-845-1625www.stonemansionbb.comTarantino Inn and Gallery.

310 East 2nd Street. 719-846-2115www.tarabinoinn.com

Up Highway 12Grub and a WinkPicketwire Lodge & Store

7600 Colorado 12719-868-2265

Stonewall Shopping Bag &RV Park6689 Highway 12719-868-2285 Country General Store withrestaurant, bull liquor store,fishing tackle, groceries andconvenience items.  Campingsupplies, laundromat, RV parkwith full hookups, includingwireless internet. Rental cab-ins and motel rooms. Huntingand Fishing Licenses, ATM.Ringo's Super Trading Post

23386 Hwy12, in Segundo719-846-7874groceries, liquor, fishing andhunting supplies, and gas

Along CordovaPass Road-Aguilar and GulnareGrubRingo's Food Market

213 East Main, in Aguilar719-941-4450groceries, a deli, meats, liquor,cafe, fishing and hunting sup-pliesThe Roughneck

214 Main St. 719-941-4001AguilarSpanish Peaks Inn

719-941-428892590 County Rd. 41 6/10,Gulnare

GardnerGrubWildflower Cafe.  Usually

closed Sundays and Mondays

page 26 Spanish Peaks Trips

Uncrowded and surrounded by fab-ulous views, golfing in southern Col-orado is truly a treat. Here are fivegreat courses to choose from.A. Hollydot in Colorado City, southof Pueblo in the planned communityof Colorado City is the 27-hole course.

The 7,009-yard 18-hole course,designed by Colorado architectFrank Hummel in 1974, playsthrough a wide open valley withviews of the nearby Wet Mountains.

Tee times are taken seven days inadvance by calling 719-676-3341.

To reach the course which is 23miles south of Pueblo, take I-25 to theColorado City exit #74. Go west onHighway 165 two miles to the club-house.B. Walsenburg golf course is one mile from thecenter of town, and is a public golf course. It islocated in the heart of the Lathrop State Park,right by Martin lake, and offers stunning viewsof the Spanish Peaks and the Sangre de Cristos.WGC measures 3110 yards from the longest teesand has a slope rating of 101 and a 32.9 USGArating. The course features nine regulation holesand two sets of tees for different skill levels. Formore information, call (719) 738-2730.C. Grandote Peaks Golf Course in LaVeta wasbuilt in 1986 by the famous design team of TomWeiskopf and Jay Moorish.

Today it attracts golfers from Colorado andNew Mexico to play the remote 7,085 yardcourse with its wide fairways and views of theSpanish Peaks. The Cuchera River crosses thefairways ten times.

The signature hole is #7, an attractive butvery demanding 149 yard, par-3. The green iselevated and supported by vertical railroad ties.

Tee times can be made months in advanceby calling 800-457-9986 or 719-742-3391.

To reach the course, take I-25 to Walsenburgthen go 12 miles west on Highway 160. Thentake Highway 12 to LaVeta, drive through townand follow the highway to the course on thesouth edge of town.

D. Cattails golf course in Alamosa, is sur-rounded by the headwaters of the famous RioGrande River.

The 6,517-yard golf course with a rating of71.9 and a slope of 131 was built in two stagesso it is actually two different layouts. The orig-inal nine was built in a park land style withlevel fairways winding through tall trees. Thenew nine, designed by Colorado architectRichard Phelps in 1991, was built along the wet-lands and cattail lined tributaries of the head-waters of the Rio Grande River.

Tee times can be made seven days in ad-vance by calling 719-589-9515.

To reach the course, take Highway 160 intotown to State Street, go north and follow theroad to the golf course.E. Trinidad Municipal Golf Course was estab-lished in 1910, is one of the oldest courses in thestate, and has been recognized as one of "Col-orado's Best Nine Hole Golf Courses" for years.Framed by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains andFisher's Peak, the par-72, 18-hole layout willchallenge every level of golfer from the casualplayer to the skilled competitor.

TMGC is at 1417 Nolan Drive inTrinidadColorado, and the phone number 719-846-4015.

Keep in mind that a golf ball travels up to seven percent farther at an elevation of 5,000 feet than at sea level. The thinner air also allows you to hit the ball much higher.

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