Day 23: Fort Garland to Walsenburg

Ride Stats:
Distance - 47 mi
Avg Speed - 9.3 mph
Climbed - 1650 ft
Temps - 45 to 70 F

My gamble to continue the extra 25 miles yesterday to Fort Garland paid off. The adverse wind direction was still in effect this morning, and at high velocity. It had shaken my tent all night, making it hard to sleep, and I was still tired when I crawled out of my warm sleeping bag at 5:30 into the 45 degree windiness. I was just thankful I didn't have to bike from Alamosa into it.
It was a tough first 15 miles into the wind before I reached the calmer cover of a canyon leading up to the pass. As passes go, this La Veta is one of the easier, with only 1500 ft of climbing, at mostly low inclines. Coming down the other side to Walsenburg was also into the wind, but not as fierce, and more than offset by the decline in elevation. Between wind and the lower temps, I didn't take my rain jacket off all morning.
This is now familiar territory. Ian and I had biked this route a couple of summers ago, so I knew what to expect. What was different this time was the traffic. There was a constant stream of classic cars heading home from the Alamosa Car Show, so I got to enjoy my own special parade.


Meandering up the valley to La Veta Pass.

My last chance for a photo of Aspens. I see a little bit of yellow starting to appear.

Looking back at a valley very near the top of the mountain.

Finally, a pass with good signage.

I was trying to capture some of the vivid colors you can see at high altitude. I'm not sure it translates so well to photos.

On the way down to Walsenburg, there is a great view of the Spanish Peaks, and the city of La Veta beneath them. The road bypasses that area, but I'd love to come back and explore it some time.

A roadside display of antique farm equipment,. ( Tractor and Combine )

The La Plaza Inn is a restored historic hotel with an interior that far exceeds it's exterior, and is nicely run by a couple who moved here from Southern California. Angela and I stayed here many years ago when it was just being renovated. It's much nicer now.