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Locations around Alamosa next weekend?

Discussion

6 replies
Posted by David Kingham on July 26, 2011 at 1:45 PM
I'll be in Alamosa next week for an architectural shoot and I'm thinking of staying the weekend to explore the mountains. I was thinking of American Basin but it looks like a good 3 hours from there (still an option) but is there anything closer that's spectacular? Anyone going to be in the area and want to get together? Thanks!
Posted by Todd Caudle on July 26, 2011 at 3:04 PM
The Dunes? West side of the Sangre de Cristos, maybe Willow Creek Lake (spectacular waterfall cuts through cliff on east side of lake, awesome sunset shot, long-ish hike), Crestone Lake (north or south), or some such.
Posted by Joe Rogers on July 26, 2011 at 4:24 PM
I think you can shoot on up to Gunnison on 114 from Alamosa and it's about two hours. Crested Butte is only 30 more miles north. A pleasing drive if I remember....or what Todd said.
Joe Rogers
Posted by Morris McClung on July 26, 2011 at 8:04 PM
The Dunes are a must for at least one visit.
Posted by Anne K. Rusk on July 26, 2011 at 11:13 PM
The Conejos River valley is beautiful heading on a dirt road to Platoro. It is about an hour south of Alamosa through Antonito to the turn off for the dirt road (22 miles from Antonito). The drive between Antonito to Chama, NM is about an hour also and well worth the drive! I haven't photographed out there, but I worked at a dude ranch in the valley for two years (google rainbow trout ranch for some pics of the scenery). It is beautiful and not heavily visited.
Posted by David Kingham on July 26, 2011 at 11:15 PM
I've been thinking about the dunes but thought it may be too hot this time of year, is it bearable?
Posted by Jared Atencio on July 27, 2011 at 1:11 AM
Dunes are obvious-I'd venture out in the mornings or evenings and should be fine temperature wise, Zapata falls is always an option if you're going up to the dunes, North Clear Creek Falls between Creede and Lake City, Penitente Canyon on the western side of the valley has some neat rock formations, Treasure Falls is just over Wolf Creek Pass before Pagosa Springs for another easy falls option, Wheeler Geologic Area has some of the most unique rock formations/hoodoos I've ever seen if you have 4wd and an afternoon to spare, If you have really dramatic weather coming through, Alamosa Wildlife Refuge can be nice in a pinch or in a desperate situation, bisti badlands is always only about 3 hours away...