Highway of Legends • Scenic Drive • Colorado • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Aug 28 2022

rwstorm

Guides 1
Routes 136
Photos 22,415
Triplogs 1,041

77 male

Joined Feb 28 2003
Tucson, AZ

Highway of Legends-Aguilar Branch, CO

Scenic Drive		Aug 28 2022
		rwstorm • Triplogs 1,041

Scenic Drive	35.00 Miles

Scenic Drive	35.00 Miles

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Highway of Legends

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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

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Apishapa Arch Cordova Pass Cucharas Pass Spanish Peaks Stonewall Valley

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

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Jul 16 2016

rwstorm

Guides 1
Routes 136
Photos 22,415
Triplogs 1,041

77 male

Joined Feb 28 2003
Tucson, AZ

Highway of Legends

South, CO

Highway of Legends

South, CO

Scenic Drive		Jul 16 2016
		rwstorm • Triplogs 1,041

Scenic Drive	82.00 Miles

Scenic Drive	82.00 Miles

no routes

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I first became aware of these Colorado Scenic Byways in 2014 when I discovered the newly created "Tracks Across Borders," that basically follows the route of the abandoned portion of the Denver and Rio Grande narrow gauge railroad between Durango, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. Later in 2015 after riding the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad out of Antonito, Colorado to Cumbres Pass, I added to my trip by driving to Raton, New Mexico for a night at a motel, followed by a visit to nearby Sugarite Canyon State Park, before heading back home to Tucson. It was on the drive to Raton that I saw the Spanish Peaks and decided I wanted to check them out. In 2016, I put together this trip with a night camping at Sugarite Canyon State Park, followed by visits to Ludlow, Colorado and a drive on the Highway of Legends, before heading down to spend a night at the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Next day it was back to Tucson.

This is a very scenic drive indeed, with the towns of La Veta and Cuchara along the way to Cucharas Pass, and some nice lakes and other points of interest on on the southern leg back toward Trinidad. This sort of off the beaten path area of Colorado is interesting in its own right, and doesn't suffer from a crush of visitors like are encountered in many of the more well known and popular tourist spots in the state. Lower key and just great!

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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