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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Daniel Kalal on March 30, 2015, 11:53:16 PM

Title: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: Daniel Kalal on March 30, 2015, 11:53:16 PM

(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/map.jpg)

South Central Colorado is defined by the dry and flat San Luis Valley, but  also by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, which save for US-160 has no paved roads  that cross it.  Colorado 12 manages to cross a spur of this range as it  curves around West Spanish Peak and Colorado 69 runs up the east side of the  range--looking for an opening it never finds.
 
I'd not been on either of these roads; this ride fixes that.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/map1.jpg)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/map2.jpg)

(http://www.dankalal.net/images/stateKS.png) Kansas
 
A less used but very direct route west out of central Kansas is to use   the little-known (it isn't marked) Ford-Ensign road to US-56, then KS-144  and finally US-160 which will take you all the way to Colorado without  hardly ever seeing another car (or truck).
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo001.JPG)
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/images/stateCO.png) Colorado
 
Springfield, Colorado is on a north-south highway (US-385) that sees  quite a bit of truck traffic.  I'm more interested in the east-west highway (US-160) that sees virtually none.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo004.JPG)
 
The Stage Stop Hotel was probably quite the best thing in town in the 1920s.   Today, it's more than good enough at not much over $40.  I've stayed here  before.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo002.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo003.JPG)
 
I'll assume there's a good financial reason to hold it, but there seems to be  a lot of corn still in storage.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo005.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo006.JPG)
 
Pritchett, Colorado was a fair sized town at one time.  Nearly all the  buildings are now empty.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo007.JPG)
 
Kim, Colorado is smaller than Pritchett.  US-160 runs through both of  these towns.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo009.JPG)
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo010.JPG)
 
Trinidad, Colorado is an attractive city.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo012.JPG)
 
I had concerns that Cucaharas Pass might still have quite a bit of snow, but  once I started up the road, it was obvious that it would be dry all the way.   It was.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo013.JPG)
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo015.JPG)
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo017.JPG)
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo019.JPG)
 
The pass is nearly 10,000 feet up, but it's an easy ride.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo022.JPG)
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo025.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo027.JPG)
 
At 13,651 feet, West Spanish Peak is always a presence on this route.   The highway curls around it.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo026.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo028.JPG)
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo029.JPG)
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo030.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo031.JPG)
 
La Veta, Colorado is where CO-12 runs into US-160.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo035.JPG)
 
Walsenburg, Colorado.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo037.JPG)
 
Just before US-160 hits the freeway, you can turn north on CO-69 to run up  the Wet Mountain Valley.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo039.JPG)
 
Gardner, Colorado.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo042.JPG)
 
The Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range.  On the other side you'd find  Great Sand Dunes National Park and the broad San Luis Valley.  Blowing  sand cannot make it over the mountains, so it drops and forms the dunes.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo045.JPG)
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo047.JPG)
 
Silver Cliff, Colorado.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo052.JPG)
 
That's the cook (in the ball cap).  At the bar I'm having the  “bite-me” burger, or some such name.  It's got green chili, so you know  you're not too far from the New Mexico line.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo049.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo050.JPG)
 
Looking back west to the town of Silver Cliff.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo053.JPG)
 
Climbing up and over the Wet Mountains.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo057.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo059.JPG)
 
Drop down this mountain and the Great Plains extend east for miles and miles.   There aren't any more hills to speak of until you reach the Ozark Mountains,  some five hundred miles away.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo058.JPG)
 
Thirty miles out and when you turn around, the Rocky Mountains are gone.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo063.JPG)
 
A coal train in the La Junta  rail yard, and trucks lining up at an  elevator taking on a load of corn.  Where are they taking it next?   I've no idea.
 
(http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo064.JPG)  (http://www.dankalal.net/2015trip8/photo065.JPG)

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: Morizzi on March 31, 2015, 05:27:44 AM

Not far off your route to the west traveling from Golden to Crestone CO.

10,000 feet on Kenosha Pass.

RoMoTo on his ST2, Eric on his Jota and my SP.

(http://x.vindicosuite.com/click/fbfpc=1;v=5;m=3;l=401071;c=776283;b=3368032;dct=http%3A//image.wikifoundry.com/image/1/PXOvwHWZllKRbRTX-oNumg405015)

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: nick949 on March 31, 2015, 06:28:17 AM

Fabulous, as always.  Thanks. ;-T

Nick

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: dilligaf on March 31, 2015, 06:38:04 AM

Enjoyed it.  :BEER:
Matt

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: O on March 31, 2015, 06:58:40 AM

Thanks for posting these pictures and explaining the route, Daniel.  Very enjoyable.

Spring is around the corner!

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: oldbike54 on March 31, 2015, 07:40:28 AM

 There are some stretches in Eastern CO where it is wise to stop at every gas pump . Have rolled into Kim on fumes more than once . Thanks Deke  ;-T

  Dusty

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: Tobit on March 31, 2015, 08:12:54 AM

Very nice.   ;-T

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: zedXmick on March 31, 2015, 09:09:01 AM

Beautiful    ;-T   backroads here still have that coating of winter shellac on them.....waiting for that good rainstorm to clean them up.

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: Vagrant on March 31, 2015, 09:34:01 AM

69 from Walsenburg to Texas creek is one of my favorite rides. I even go out of the way to hit it when going Elk hunting.
how about a long term test report on the Stelvio either here or in the MGNOC.
thanks again for posting all the great ride pics. 

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on March 31, 2015, 10:44:47 AM

Thanks again, Daniel.. ;-T

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: PeteS on March 31, 2015, 11:13:26 AM

Great pics again Daniel. We rode 160 a few years ago. Made US 50 in Nevada seem like rush hour. Never felt so alone and isolated. Beautiful country though.

Pete

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: LowRyter on March 31, 2015, 04:56:11 PM

Colorado Loop 12,  The Highway of Legends.  I've camped at Trinidad St Park on a couple of occasions.

I was surprised to see snow there.

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: lucydad on March 31, 2015, 07:49:30 PM

Daniel,

Thanks so much for a photo log of one of the areas I call home.  My dad was born and raised in Syracuse, KS and had a business partner in Walsenburg.
I also used to drive 160 a lot (mother road of southern CO, goes thru Durango).  Fantastic pictures!  You inspire me to get a small SUV, and trailer and...

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: Daniel Kalal on March 31, 2015, 08:25:38 PM

Quote from: lucydad on March 31, 2015, 07:49:30 PM

My dad was born and raised in Syracuse, KS and had a business partner in Walsenburg.

I took this shot of Syracuse, Kansas back in 2009.  Did your dad pronounce the town "Sary-Cuse?"  I've found that quite a number of Kansas towns named for historic places (such as the ancient Greek city of Syracuse) took on unusual pronunciations just to baffle newcomers (either that or they really didn't know any better).

(http://www.dankalal.net/2009trip3/photo035.JPG)

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: LowRyter on March 31, 2015, 08:40:58 PM

sorta like Prague (PrayG) OK.

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: Daniel Kalal on March 31, 2015, 08:48:31 PM

Quote from: LowRyter on March 31, 2015, 08:40:58 PM

sorta like Prague (PrayG) OK.

And:
  El-doh-RAY-doh, Kansas.  (Eldorado)
  Pee-Roo, Kansas (Peru)
  Ar-KAN-sas River (Arkansas River within the Kansas borders)

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: Bill N on April 01, 2015, 04:19:53 PM

Thanks Daniel, I've traveled some of those roads many times in a car. Great photo log that brought back fond memories.
Bill

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: lucydad on April 01, 2015, 06:28:48 PM

Daniel,

Yep Saray-cuse.  Dad was born there in 1912.  His dad was a postman and also farmer.  Uncle was local barrister.  Another uncle went to WWI in 1917 and never made it back.  Brother worked at the Santa Fe depot in the Harvey House.  My grandparents are both buried in Syracuse, and my cousins that live in Wichita also pronounce it Saray-cuse. 

Deep Kansas roots, but have not been there since 1973...my cousin runs a huge farm on the bottom river land outside of Wichita.  Oh and his dad was a WWII B17 pilot and later flew a private Beechcraft, and one of my cousins worked in the plant as an interior aircraft designer.  Now she is a home management economics professor at Penn State, and you can call her Dr. Brown.  Cousin with farm also harvests black walnut trees for gunstocks, and other herbs...uh.

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: Jim Rich on April 01, 2015, 07:45:33 PM

Cool stuff Daniel.  I took my son on a camping trip in that area a few years back and loved it.  The lava dikes around that area are amazing.

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: double.d on April 02, 2015, 12:55:03 AM

Love your stuff Daniel. It has occurred to me before and these pictures are the same as far as i can recall there are never any people in your street photos, do you scare them off when you come into town  ;D

Title: Re: ...to Cucharas Pass and the Wet Mountain Valley [mostly photographs]
Post by: Muzz on April 03, 2015, 05:26:06 PM

Excellent as usual thanks Daniel.

Some of that scenery could be straight out of the South Island!