Saguache County: Rock, History and Bikepacking

Saguache County brings together unusually shaped landscapes, local history, and cycling routes that take varying amounts of time. When choosing a vacation rental, it’s worth first considering whether culture, outdoor trails, or longer bike rides will shape your vacation.

Rock Formations and Outdoor Trails

At Wheeler Geological Area, volcanic ash has eroded into an unusually bizarre landscape. From the end of the road, an approximately half-mile-long footpath leads to the geological formations. Check road conditions before setting out. Penitente Canyon offers a different focus: this internationally recognized climbing area has more than 300 sport climbing routes. The south-facing routes can be climbed year-round, although conditions on site may vary. The area also has more than 20 miles of trails open to mountain biking and hiking. Trout fishing is possible at La Garita Creek. The Black Canyon Wilderness Study Area is in Saguache County and also offers hiking opportunities.

The options range from geological formations to climbing and hiking, as well as cycling and fishing. When planning your day, the difference between an outdoor trail and a climbing area with hundreds of routes is just as clear as the difference between an activity on foot and one on a bike.

Cycling Routes for Different Time Frames

There are two clearly distinct options for a longer bike ride. The Saguache–Del Norte section of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is 62 miles long and has 4,004 feet of elevation gain. The Great Divide Overland North Route covers 155 miles and is intended as a multi-day bikepacking trip. Its maximum gradient is 12.5 percent; via Sargents, it leads back to Villa Grove in Saguache County. Along the way, you can camp or stay in cabins. While the first figure describes a specific route section, the second route is explicitly designed to take several days. Check current route conditions before planning.

History in Houses and Places

Hazard House is a restored home dating from 1913. Its furnishings show the lifestyle and home culture of affluent Saguache families in the 1920s and 1930s. Since opening arrangements may change, check before visiting. The Saguache County Museum is housed in a building whose sections were built more than 125 years ago. The house served, among other things, as a school, a temporary courthouse, and a residence for jailers. The museum includes a stucco-fronted adobe jail built in 1908.

Bonanza’s origins are also part of the area’s history: the town was founded in the fall of 1880, after rich silver ore was discovered in the mountains north of Saguache and west of Villa Grove.

Cultural Experiences and Getting Oriented

Shumei’s Crestone Center is considered a sacred pilgrimage site. Since 2010, Joyful Journey Hot Springs has hosted an annual free community event featuring a seed exchange and educational activities. Check the specific event dates before making plans. For a driving tour, Saguache County offers the Mystic Adventure Driving audio tour through the TravelStorys app; check in advance whether the tour is currently available there.

Choose Your Travel Base Based on What Matters Most

If you’re looking for a vacation rental, the pace you want for your trip can help guide your choice. For several days of cycling, the designated multi-day route and its information about camping or cabins offer a different basis for planning than the 62-mile route section. Those more interested in local history can focus on the historic houses and Bonanza’s history; those who want to be active outdoors will find described opportunities for climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and fishing. That way, you can first decide which experiences matter to you, then look for suitable accommodation to help plan your trip.

Discover more destinations: Villa Grove, Saguache, Garfield, Lake County, Teller County, Logan, Weld and Otero.

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