San Luis Valley

Map of the San Luis Valley

Introduction 

Spanning almost 8,000 square miles, the San Luis Valley is the world's largest alpine valley. The average altitude is 7,500 feet, so it can be very warm in the summer and very cold at night in the winter. With the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east and the Rio Grande to the west.

The San Luis Valley sits atop the Rio Grande Rift, a split in the crust of the Earth where the sides are pulling away from each other. If the Valley floor were excavated, bedrock would be down about 30,000 feet, making the bottom of the Valley close to 4 miles below sea level. Over millenia, the mountains surrounding the Valley have eroded away, filling in the hole with rock, sand and earth. Quite a few streams flow into the Valley, only to sink into the ground before they go very far.

Getting There 

This is part of the reorg of the Colorado site.

From the Denver Metro area you can go US 285 W all the way into the valley. You can also take I-70 to CO 91 through Breckinridge to US 24 S to US 285.

From Grand Junction, you can take US 50 E to US 285 near Poncha Springs, then go south on US 285.

From Durango, you can take US 160 E to US 285 N.

Resources 

Camping is availabe at Penintente Canyon; however, it now costs a bit and has standard BLM regulations. Water is provided down the road from the climbing / camping area (another recent development - follow the signs), and the nearest 'goods' can be found at the 'La Garita Cash Store'.

There are a variety of small, charming B&B type accomodations throughout the valley, in Poncha Springs, La Garita, Del Norte. There are a smattering of motels/hotels in the area as well.

Alamosa is the largest town in the valley for supplies, etc.

The Classics

Featured Route For San Luis Valley

Breakdown Dead Ahead 5.10d  CO : San Luis Valley : ... : Penitente - Inner Canyon

This is the line just right of Tanks for Hueco. It shares the same start (a lieback up a black corner) and then heads up the fantastic pockets on the overhanging wall. In my opinion a more appropriate finish (in terms of difficulty) than Tanks for Hueco. Oh, the guide rates it at 11b, but it is not nearly that hard....[more]   Browse More Classics in CO

Photos of San Luis Valley Slideshow

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Pair of bald eagles with Little Bear and Blanca Pe...	Evening t-storm spattering the Sangre de Cristos i...	Steve Mestdagh climbing at Penitente, photo: Bob H...
GATORS IN COLORADO!?!?!? Gotta stop here if you ha...	Totally worth the $10.	fun at the dunes, soo much to do