Casa Vida Guidebook
Hiking
Local hiking access
Easy driving access to trail head (post Memorial Day). Trail runs along N. Crestone Creek, which rages with the spring melt-off. Starts easy but becomes quite steep. If you are acclimated or in excellent shape, persevering to about the 3.5 mile mark affords excellent views of the back country and down valley. To access the higher lakes requires an all-day commitment. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/north-crestone-creek-trail--2
North Crestone Creek
Easy driving access to trail head (post Memorial Day). Trail runs along N. Crestone Creek, which rages with the spring melt-off. Starts easy but becomes quite steep. If you are acclimated or in excellent shape, persevering to about the 3.5 mile mark affords excellent views of the back country and down valley. To access the higher lakes requires an all-day commitment. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/north-crestone-creek-trail--2
"Willow Lake Trail is a 10.2 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Crestone, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until September. Dogs are also able to use this trail." (from AllTrails)
NOTE: Driving access can be challenging. First 2 miles up E. Galena Ave are paved and easy but road can be very rough the last 2 miles. I drove it in early Jun 2021 with our 4WD truck and was grateful that I had 4WD. One section of road was actually wavy as in serious peaks and troughs.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/willow-lake
East Willow Trail
East Willow Trail"Willow Lake Trail is a 10.2 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Crestone, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until September. Dogs are also able to use this trail." (from AllTrails)
NOTE: Driving access can be challenging. First 2 miles up E. Galena Ave are paved and easy but road can be very rough the last 2 miles. I drove it in early Jun 2021 with our 4WD truck and was grateful that I had 4WD. One section of road was actually wavy as in serious peaks and troughs.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/willow-lake
Grocery Store
Elephant Cloud is one of two local markets in Crestone. It offers organic produce and food stuffs. Check out the frozen section for Yak meat (raised locally in the San Luis Valley). You can also buy buffalo and elk meat. For a small local market, they offer quite a variety of items that should meet the needs of most people, at least for a short visit.
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Elephant Cloud Market The Cloud Station
200 Cottonwood StElephant Cloud is one of two local markets in Crestone. It offers organic produce and food stuffs. Check out the frozen section for Yak meat (raised locally in the San Luis Valley). You can also buy buffalo and elk meat. For a small local market, they offer quite a variety of items that should meet the needs of most people, at least for a short visit.
Crestone Mercantile is one two local markets in Crestone. It offers a wide array of beverages and more conventional food options.
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Crestone Mercantile
182 E Galena AveCrestone Mercantile is one two local markets in Crestone. It offers a wide array of beverages and more conventional food options.
If Crestone's local markets cannot provide what you need, take a day trip to Salida, CO. While there, visit Natural Grocers for a larger selection of organic produce and products.
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Natural Grocers
200 F StIf Crestone's local markets cannot provide what you need, take a day trip to Salida, CO. While there, visit Natural Grocers for a larger selection of organic produce and products.
Local Activities
Baca Grande Stables offers guided trail rides (all ages) and a summer riding program for kids.
Check out their website for the most up-to-date information:
https://bacagrandestables.com/
Baca Stables Road
Baca Stables RoadBaca Grande Stables offers guided trail rides (all ages) and a summer riding program for kids.
Check out their website for the most up-to-date information:
https://bacagrandestables.com/
City/town information
Salida, CO, a one-hour drive north of Crestone, is an historic town situated along the Arkansas River and nestled between the Sawatch and Sangre de Cristo Mountain Ranges. Monarch Mountain and Ski Resort is a short drive up Highway 50.
Downtown Salida has many local shops and restaurants offering the opportunity to stroll around town while sampling locally made ice cream and wares.
Salida also offers a community pool & hot spring, hardware stores, Safeway, river rafting and hiking adventures to name a few local attractions.
When Crestone is feeling too small or we need to provision beyond local offerings, we head to Salida.
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Salida
Salida, CO, a one-hour drive north of Crestone, is an historic town situated along the Arkansas River and nestled between the Sawatch and Sangre de Cristo Mountain Ranges. Monarch Mountain and Ski Resort is a short drive up Highway 50.
Downtown Salida has many local shops and restaurants offering the opportunity to stroll around town while sampling locally made ice cream and wares.
Salida also offers a community pool & hot spring, hardware stores, Safeway, river rafting and hiking adventures to name a few local attractions.
When Crestone is feeling too small or we need to provision beyond local offerings, we head to Salida.
National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve protects the tallest dunes in North America... and a whole lot more. The park and preserve contain ecosystems ranging from wetlands to forest to tundra—each supporting specially adapted plant, animal and insect life. Make the most of your visit by taking the time to
experience this diversity in your national park!
Unique opportunity to check out sand dunes up close.
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Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Unique opportunity to check out sand dunes up close.
Tipps für Reisende
Was einpacken?
What to Bring
When visiting Crestone:
- be prepared for variable weather (e.g. rain jacket, sun hat/shirt, warm hat/gloves/socks, down jacket in transitional season)
To Bring:
- binoculars
- bug spray (summer months following a wet winter/spring=>mosquitoes)
- comfortable walking shoes