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| Highway of Legends-Aguilar Branch, CO | | -
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| | Highway of Legends-Aguilar Branch, CO | | | |
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Highway of Legends-Aguilar Branch, CO
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| Scenic Drive | 35.00 Miles |
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| | Scenic Drive | 35.00 Miles | | | |
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| no partners | | Back in 2016 I visited this area and drove the main portion of the Highway of Legends, which follows Colorado Highway 12 from US 160 west of Walsenburg on the north, looping back to Trinidad and I-25 on the south. This is about 82 miles in length, and travels through some very scenic country rich with history and lore. I did not add a triplog or photos from that trip, but will do so soon to compliment this posting. This Colorado Scenic Byway is in the heart of the Spanish Peaks region, noted for its interesting geology. The southern portion passes through areas of extensive coal deposits that were heavily mined in the past, with mining artifacts and historic exhibits around Cokedale, not far from Trinidad.
The focus of this trip was to travel and document the portion I did not do in 2016. That would be the remote county road 46 from Aguilar near I-25 up over Cordova Pass (11,248), then dropping down to join CO 12 at Cucharas Pass (9,995). This road is paved in the lower portion, but eventually becomes a gravel road as it climbs up into the mountains (high clearence vehicle, but not 4WD needed). It is a bit tricky finding the route out of Aguilar, as it is numbered as county road 43.7 initially, but eventually becomes route 46, and later on the road forks off to the right (heads up: small road signs). The road basically follows the Apishapa River valley most of the way up toward the high pass. Scenic old ranch country down low, then pretty much in the forest in the high country with limited views. The section from Cordova Pass down to CO 12 at Cuchares Pass features more expansive views as you emerge from the denser forest portion. For me, I wouldn't drive it again as it isn't nearly as interesting as the Highway 12 portion, that really is fantastic.
Info: https://www.codot.gov/travel/colorado-b ... ay-legends |
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Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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