National Parks National Parks

Colorado National Parks
Spanish Peaks National Natural Landmark

 

Spanish Peaks National Natural Landmark

Beautiful view of the Spanish Peaks and Wahatoya Lake Reservoir, Colorado
Spanish Peaks surrounded in mist with trees changing to fall colors
 

The Spanish Peaks, Los Cumbres Espanolos, are prominent landmarks along the eastern front of the southern Rockies. Their snow-capped summits rise above the arid plains, making an easy reference point for travelers within the region. These travelers included Ute, Comanche and Apache Tribes, as well as Spanish and French trappers, gold seekers, hunters, pioneers and cattle ranchers. The Aztecs believed the Peaks were a source of mystery and hidden treasure. The Spanish Peaks are within the San Isabel National Wilderness Area and are known as one of the best examples of exposed igneous dikes. Dikes are formed when molten igneous material is forced into a fracture or fault before becoming solidified. There may be over 500 such dikes in the area.

Orange aspens in the fall at the Wahatoya Trail head, Spanish Peaks National Natural Landmark, Colorado
The West Peak of the Spanish Peaks in Colorado
 

The West Spanish Peak's elevation missed the 14er mark by 377 feet; its' summit peaks at 13,623 feet. Its' twin brother, the East Peak, is a bit shorter at 12,708 feet. However from a distance you would never know. The Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area, in Huerfano County and Las Animas County, Colorado, are the centerpiece of the Highway of Legends Scenic Byway. After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, Zebulon Pike was sent to explore. In 1821 the Santa Fe Trail was established with guideposts at the base of the Spanish Peaks, along the Mountain, and at Taos Branches of the Trail. From Bent's Old Fort, the Mountain Branch went southwest past the Peaks through Trinidad and over Raton Pass to Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Taos Trail passed north of the Peaks along the Huerfano River, up Oak Creek, over La Veta Pass into the San Luis Valley, and then south to Taos, New Mexico. Explorers, lawmen, gunslingers, and mountain men with names like Kit Carson, Wild Bill Hickock, John Freemont, Black Jack Ketchum, Zane Grey, William Bent, and Bat Masterson traveled the area frequently.

Cordova Pass Sign near the Spanish Peaks in the San Isabel forest, Colorado
Horseback riders on the Wahatoya Trail at the East Peak of the Spanish Peaks, Colorado
 

WEST PEAK HIKING TRAIL: Cordova Pass Trailhead is a 40 minute (12 mile) drive from Cuchara, via Colorado Highway 12 and Country Road 364/Forest Service Road 415. The best time to hike is in late Spring to early fall, with an early morning start if you plan to reach the summit. The hike is 2,200 vertical feet over 3 miles (one way), and most of the elevation gain is in the last mile which is steep. At the summit, the panorama view is spectacular; see the Culebra Range, East Spanish Peak, and the Great Plains of Colorado.

EAST PEAK HIKING TRAIL: Wahatoya Trailhead is a 17 minute (7 mile) drive from La Veta, via Country Road 360. This 9.2 mile loop is for the experienced hiker with it's single track, steep elevation gains, and a mile of switchbacks into the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area. At the summit you will see West Spanish Peak, the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range, Greenhorn Mountain, Pikes Peak and Fisher's Peak. Elk and deer are common in the area.

JOHN B FARLEY WILDFLOWER OVERLOOK MEMORIAL TRAIL: From Stonewall take Colorado Highway 12 to Forest Service Road 415;17 miles (26 minutes). This is a family friendly short (100 feet) interceptive trail perfect for wildlife watching and in late spring to early Summer the wildflowers will make your heart sing. In winter it's a great place to snowshoe!

LOCATION: In South Central Colorado: to the North are La Veta and Walsenburg; to the East Aguilar and Trinidad; to the South Stonewall and Weston; and to the West Cuchara. You can see the Peaks from I-25 between Trinidad and Walsenburg. The West Spanish Peak is best reached by Colorado Highway 12.

OWNERSHIP: Federal and private.
NATIONAL NATURAL LANDMARK DESIGNATION: 1976
NATIONAL WILDERNESS AREA DESIGNATION: 2018

More Activities & Information

Cuchara Valley Area, Colorado includes: Cuchara, La Veta

Stonewall, Colorado includes: Weston

Westcliffe, Colorado includes: Rosita, Silver Cliff


National Historic Sites and Landmarks in Colorado


Click to return to main Colorado National Park Map

horizontal rule
Follow Us
Follow us on Facebook Button Follow us on Pinterest Button Follow us on Instagram Button

Places to Stay, Rentals & Amenities
Cabins & Cottages | Motels & Hotels | Lodging & Lodges | Vacation Homes | Condos, Suites & Townhomes | Bed & Breakfast | Tent Camping | RV Parks & Campgrounds | RV Sales, Service & Rentals | Romance Packages | Family Friendly | Pets Welcome | By Water | Swimming Pools | Guest Horses | Groups, Reunions & Retreats | Weddings & Elopements | Winter Lodging

Fun Things to Do
Calendars of Events | National Parks, Monuments & Historic Sites | Scenic Byways & Drives | Fishing & Fly Fishing | Hot Springs | Horse Riding | ATV/UTVing | Jeeping & 4WD | Whitewater Rafting & Kayaking | Attractions | Golfing | Restaurants & Dining | More Fun Stuff | Hunting & Land Leases | Snowmobiling | Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding | Snowshoeing | Cross-Country Skiing

A-Z Towns & Areas | Colorado Maps | About Us

©Copyright 1997- by The Colorado Directory, Inc. This is a directory only; it is not and does not contain a recommendation, warranty, guaranty, inducement or endorsement of any kind. Representations herein were supplied by the individual businesses. The publisher, The Colorado Directory, Inc., does not assume any responsibility for truth, falsity or completeness of any representation made herein or any errors, changes, services rendered, or changes made in the use of this directory. This information was compiled as accurately as possible. Prices and services are frequently subject to change. Errors called to the publisher's attention will be corrected in the future. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.