LaJara Creek Loop

Platoro is the blending of the Spanish words "plata" (silver) and "oro" (gold), and this secluded mountain reservoir strikes it rich when it comes to outdoor recreation. In 1870, gold and silver was discovered in area, which lead to a small boom in 1913 and the settling of the small town which still stands today. The prospectors and mule trains may have left long ago, but today the area attract...

Holiday weekends can be frustrating for solitude seekers. The extra day to play always seems to be challenged by the expected crowds of competition for your sought after spots.  Fortunately for those of us who prefer quieter pastures, Colorado's 3.5+ million acres of wilderness still hold plenty of hidden gems. One such hidden gem is (yet another) Crater Lake, tucked away in the South San Juan ...

Treasure Falls is reached via short .4 mile walk from the parking lot on highway 160 about 15 miles outside Pagosa Springs (which is home to the worlds deepest hot springs). There is a paved path and dirt trail that both end up at the falls and if you are inclined, make into a loop. There is a bridge that crosses the creek just below the falls or you can continue up a couple hundred feet to the...

Blanca Peak is nestled at the heart (and the top) of a four peak ceiling located at the southern-most tip of Colorado's intimidating Sangre de Christo range. The peak is known for its impeccable 360 degree views, as you can see well over 100 miles in every direction thanks to Colorado's clean, crisp, thin air. The entire hike is roughly 17 miles round trip and should be done in two days. Ambi...

Where to camp: San Luis State Park is located 15 miles west of Great Sand Dunes National Park, San Luis State Park features views of San Luis Lake, the Great Sand Dunes and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The campground provides water and hot showers, which we enjoyed after a day of hiking the dunes. Reserve your campsite here.If you're making this a couple day trip, here's a guide to a few g...

This hike starts on Lake Como Road with the goal of eventually reaching Lake Como.  If you have a modified 4WD car you can get all the way to the lake in it, but if you do not feel like risking damage to your vehicle park as low as you deem necessary to do that.  Most 4WD stock vehicles can make it quite a ways up the road. The total mileage and elevation gain depend on how far you get on this ...