101 Things 2021 for Yumpu

Summer in the San Luis Valley 2021 Page 21
Costilla County
51 FORT GARLAND — Established in 1858 to protect
settlers in the San Luis Valley from bands of roaming Indians,
Fort Garland was once commanded by the legendary Kit Carson.
Now operated by the Colorado Historical Society, the museum
offers historic artifacts and photographs of the Buffalo Soldiers
as well as displays of early Hispano settlers. Call 719-379-3512.
Also view the T33A (Thunderbird) Jet Trainer on static display
at the Costilla County Veteran’s Park located on CR HH east of
the Town of Fort Garland visible from Highway 160.
55 STATIONS OF THE CROSS AND CHAPEL OF ALL
SAINTS — Local sculptor Huberto Maestas of San Luis created
these life-sized bronze sculptures of the last hours of Christ’s
life. A beautiful chapel lies at the top of the pilgrimage trail.
Maestas’ studio is located at 331 Main Street in San Luis: phone
(719) 672-3022.
56 VISIT SAN LUIS — San Luis is the oldest town in
Colorado, founded in 1851 by Hispanic settlers from New
Mexico. The Museum and Cultural Center has colonial and
pre-colonial artifacts, a collection of santos, and a replica of a
morada, an adobe chapel of the Penitentes.
57 SANTIAGO Y SANTA ANA FESTIVAL— San Luis,
Colorado’s oldest town, honors and celebrates the area’s faith
and culture as it plays host to mariachis, local bands, spectacular
parades, traditional singers, fabulous food and more July 23-25.
Info: 719-672-2080
52 HIKE MOUNT BLANCA — Mount Blanca at 14,345
feet is the dominant landmark of the San Luis Valley. Its massif
includes four peaks over 14,000 feet - Blanca, Colorado’s fourth
highest peak; Little Bear; Mount Lindsay; and Ellingwood
Point. The recommended access point to climb Blanca is the
Lake Como route; a tough hike up the road to the lake, then an
easier hike to the peaks.
53 MOUNTAIN HOME RESERVOIR — Just a few
miles southwest of Fort Garland is Mountain Home Reservoir
stocked with trout 10 to 15 inches. It is a great place for a day
or afternoon of family fishing. A smaller reservoir, but also a
great place to play in the water, is Smith Reservoir, located just
south of the town of Blanca.
54 THE LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM (White Mountain
Trading Post) on Highway 160 at Fort Garland offers a variety of
activities including gunfights, horse rides, blacksmith demonstrations,
glassblowing demonstrations, live bison and historical pioneer and
Native American displays. The museum is open with free entrance
from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week from Memorial Day to
Labor Day. For more information call 719-379-4179.
58 LOS CAMINOS ANTIGUOS SCENIC BYWAY — Take
a drive along the 129-mile Los Caminos Antiguos (“Ancient
Roads”) Scenic Byway beginning in the San Juan Mountains,
on Cumbres Pass, and passing the oldest church in Colorado,
the first town in the state and the Great Sand Dunes National
Park. See www.loscaminos.com.
59 SANCHEZ RESERVOIR — Located about eight miles
south of San Luis at 8,200 feet elevation, Sanchez reservoir
offers fishing for walleye, saugeye and northern pike. Also enjoy
boating and other water sport opportunities.
60 RIO COSTILLA STUDIO TOUR — The 21st annual
tour is tentatively scheduled this
year for early September, in southern
Colorado and northern New Mexico.
With more than two-dozen artists
involved, the tour features artwork,
sculpture, food and more. Contact:
(575) 586-1581, (719) 433-3885 or
riocostillaart@gmail.com. Also see
www.riocostillaart.com.