Saguache Ranger District

Copyright: Unknown Crestone Needles - 8.95

Ghost towns abound in the West and the Saguache Ranger District is no exception. Bonanza was a silver mining boom town between 1880 and 1888. It lies on the western flanks of Hayden Peak in the northern part of the district. Hayden Pass is a 10,700 foot pass that was a toll road in the 1880s, that links the northern part of the San Luis Valley to the Arkansas River Valley. It also was used for mining purposes.

Medano Pass was used by Zebulon Pike as his party crossed into Spanish Territory in January of 1807 while exploring the Louisiana Territory. The west end of the pass starts at the Sand Dunes National Monument. Mosca Pass was also used during the early surveys of the West. John Charles Fremont and his party crossed Mosca Pass on December 3, 1848 while searching for a transcontinental railroad route.

Attractions - The area encompasses the northwestern Sangre De Cristo Mountain range. This is Colorado's steepest range, rising nearly 7,000 feet above the San Luis Valley. Included in the district is the northwestern portion of the Sangre De Cristo Wilderness and the northern portion of the La Garita Wilderness.

Ghost towns abound in the West and the Saguache Ranger District is no exception. Bonanza was a silver mining boom town between 1880 and 1888. It lies on the western flanks of Hayden Peak in the northern part of the district. Hayden Pass is a 10,700 foot pass that was a toll road in the 1880s, that links the northern part of the San Luis Valley to the Arkansas River Valley. It also was used for mining purposes.

Medano Pass was used by Zebulon Pike as his party crossed into Spanish Territory in January of 1807 while exploring the Louisiana Territory. The west end of the pass starts at the Sand Dunes National Monument. Mosca Pass was also used during the early surveys of the West. John Charles Fremont and his party crossed Mosca Pass on December 3, 1848 while searching for a transcontinental railroad route.

Recreation - Recreation opportunities on the Saguache Ranger District are plentiful. Backpacking, hiking and horseback riding opportunities may be found in the La Garita and Sangre De Cristo Wilderness Areas. Excellent fishing can be found on the numerous mountain lakes and streams of the region. Camping, in dispersed and developed sites, is a popular activity especially during the summer months and hunting seasons.

Climate - Mountainous terrain influences the climate visitors find in the Saguache Ranger District. Elevations range from 7,500 feet to over 14,000 feet at the top of several mountain peaks. In general, the climate at low elevations is cool and arid while the high country is cold and humid. Average precipitation varies from under eight inches at the 8,000 foot level to over 50 inches in some alpine areas. Snowfall varies significantly in the Forest. North Cochetopa Pass commonly receives two feet of snow in a year when Wolf Creek receives six to eight feet.

Summer is short and frost may occur anytime in high elevations. Annual temperature extremes range from 90 degrees in summer to 30 degrees below zero in winter. Rapid weather changes, with temperature changes of 40 degrees in periods as short as four to six hours, occur frequently.

Location - Saguache Ranger District is divided by U.S. Highway 285. The eastern portion contains the Sangre De Cristo Mountain Range and can be accessed from a few spots on U.S. Highway 285. This region also abuts with the San Carlos Ranger District in the San Isabel National Forest and many of the trails join each other along the ridge line. The main access point for the western portion of the ranger district is Highway 114.