Many people left the Creede Campground at the end of Labor Day weekend before us. After a week of off and on rain, we had a beautiful rainbow to bid us adieu.
Treasure Waterfall 15 miles east of Pagosa Springs was a nice uphill hike with several switchbacks after we made our way over Wolf Creek Pass. Treasure Falls drops 105 feet before joining the San Juan River.
The name Treasure Falls came from Treasure Mountain, which as the legends goes, holds buried gold. In the late 1700s about 300 Frenchmen secretly entered the San Juan Mountains, which was Spanish turf.
They struck it rich near the mountain, but were faced with brutal winters, Indian attacks and disease. Only two Frenchmen returned east to tell the tale.
Wow! It's great staying in the National Forest campgrounds after Labor Day.
We were the only people in Ute Campground near Pagosa Springs. We thought it would be a good stop since it is near Chimney Rock Archeologic Site.
We were the only people in Ute Campground near Pagosa Springs. We thought it would be a good stop since it is near Chimney Rock Archeologic Site.
We had some amazing sunsets that looked like fire between the trees.
View from the road.....
Chimney Rock National Monument was designated as a national monument only 3 years
ago by President Obama. The tours were limited to 25 people per tour for 3 tours
each day. We had ten people on our tour. The docent, a retired biology professor from Texas, was very interesting and well spoken. The walk was pleasant with amazing views and the 2 hours passed quickly. We met some interesting people on the tour and just had a good morning before
things warmed up.
Lunar Standstill happens every 18.6 years and lasts 2 years as the moon pauses, rising at the same point on the horizon before beginning its move back toward the opposite end of the swing. The Chaco Indians built the Great House there because of the view of the moon rising between Chimney Rock and Companion Rock during the Standstill. The park service isn't sure how they are going to handle all of the people that will want to witness this event starting in 2021. They are considering a lottery.
Colorado has several hot springs throughout the state. Pagosa's main hot springs
has been privatized and very nice. There are several springs along the river and
in the nearby mountains that the public can access. Pagosa Springs is said to be the world's deepest geothermal hot springs.
Heading on the Vallecito Lake
