2016 Mtns & Mesas with covers

page 20
Mountains & Mesas
Sammie's RV Park, I Love Lucy's Place RV Park,
and Circle the Wagons RV Park. You can also
check out Two Fox Cabins, which is cannabis
friendly and has RV sites in addition to cabins.
While in town, walk a few blocks downtown to
visit art galleries like SPACe, and the Francisco
Fort Museum, shop at the eclectic boutiques, play
in La Veta Park, or take in one of the many vendor
fairs. Up Hwy 12 check out Sulphur Springs
Guest Ranch.
Las Animas County RV camping
For places to stay in Las Animas County,
check out Monument Lake Resort along Highway
12, or stop off at Weston. There are multiple RV
parks in the Weston area, including Stone Wall
Inn, Stonewall Shopping Bag, Stonewall Lodge,
and Picketwire Lodge and Store. For a park a little
more off the beaten tourist path, but with lots of
stunning views, try the Spanish Peaks Inn and RV
Park in Gulnare. Anywhere you stop, you’ll get
incredible scenery.
Along I 25 just north of the New Mexico line,
Trinidad, CO, also has a variety of RV campsites
in an area that is rich in history. There are many
historic buildings with charming architecture.
There is the Trinidad History Museum in the center
of town has information about the area and the
Santa Fe Trail. Among Trinidad's numerous RV
parks are several along Santa Fe Trail, including
the Summit RV Park, Tower 64 Motel & RV Park
(cannabis friendly) the Trinidad Lake State park,
west of the city, is a great place to camp with full
service campsites. They have hiking trails, camping,
boating and great fishing. Other campgrounds
in the vicinity are Cawthon RV Park.
Colfax County RV camping
Raton, New Mexico also has much to offer for
camping and recreational activities. From here,
you can easily visit Capulin Volcano National
Monument the Boy Scout Museum, Santa Fe Trail
and Raton's Downtown Historic District with
restaurants, and shopping. Santa Fe Trail that
goes over the Raton Pass is the highest point on
this trail. With incredible views it is a photographers
dream. Check out the Raton KOA, Raton
Pass Camp and Cafe (Cedar Rail RV Park), Sumerlan
Parks, NRA Whittington Center Campground,
or Sugarite Canyon State Park.
RV camping in Colorado and New Mexico are
full of activities that the entire family can enjoy.
History, water activities, hunting, skiing, shopping
and photography can be enjoyed. Also make
sure to sample the local cuisine which is unique to
the area. People can just to sit back and enjoy the
mountains, scenic views and wildlife which are all
part of this region. Don’t forget to bring your
camera.
Roads to
Paradise
by Elisa and Robert Ingoldby
One of the many advantages to living in
southern Colorado and northern New Mexico is
the beautiful scenery, fresh air, and three hundred
days a year of sunshine. If that’s not enough,
think of it as a giant backyard full of things to do.
One popular activity is dirt bike riding; for some
it’s a family tradition spanning generations. Luckily,
there are plenty of places around here to get
out and ride.
Huerfano County
If you can get your primary vehicle through
back country, Medano Pass is a great place for the
whole family. From Walsenburg, go west on Hwy
69, through Gardner, travel northwest to C.R. 559,
then turn left. There are plenty of 4WD trails that
are not too difficult, however you will need to
have plated vehicles once you reach the top of the
pass. This trail meets the borderline of the Sand
Dunes National Park, and as those trails merge together,
a parks pass is required on the other side.
Medano Pass also crosses Rainbow Trail, which
extends through many other counties for more
trail riding. Camping is back woods and no facilities
are available.
Another great ride is along Indian Creek Trail.
There are three ways to get up to the trail. The
first route is to head south out of La Veta on Hwy
12, go approximately a mile, turn right on road
422, then drive for about 15 miles to the base of
the trail (on the left). Go further up the trail and
there are areas to camp in the trees. Indian Creek
Trail travels approximately 12 miles over to Bear
and Blue Lakes. This trail can be shortened by
traveling to Cuchara, further along Highway 12
from La Veta, then turning right at the Water District
Station to “Spring Creek,” the second trailhead
to Indian Creek. Go further up Hwy 12 until
you see the Bear and Blue Lake entrance, travel
another 6 miles of dirt road, (and past the only
camping site with amenities for this trail), and ride
around up there. There are other trails in that area
besides Indian Creek
Las Animas County
The advantage to Las Animas County being
one of the largest counties in the state is the unlimited
dirt roads you can travel. There are countless
back roads to ride, but not much in the way
of a real “trail system” except those around