Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Costilla County Rd 15)
The beautiful Viejo (Old) San Acacio is a historic Catholic church
where mass is still occasionally held. To get here, go 4 miles east of San Luis on Hwy
142, then turn left (south) on Costilla County Rd 15. The church is near Culebra Creek.
Sleeping & Eating
Although there are two or three restaurants here, your best bet is All Gon Pizza (
Click
San Luis Inn Motel
(
MOTEL
$
)
A simple choice, this is the only option in town.
877-672-3331; 138 Main St; d $75;
Information
San Luis Visitors Center
(
719-672-3002; 408 Main St;
9am-1pm Thu-Sun)
Getting There & Away
San Luis is 41 miles southeast of Alamosa and 17 miles south of Fort Garland. West on
Hwy 142 is Los Caminos Antiguos Byway, a scenic stretch of road along the New Mexico
border dotted with mesas and chamisa shrubs. It runs through Manassa and on to An-
tonito.
WORTH A TRIP
CUMBRES & TOLTEC SCENIC RAILROAD
One of several historic narrow-gauge trains in the state, this impressive ride is a chance to mount the Cumbres
Pass (10,022ft) by power of steam.
In 1880 the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RG) completed a track over Cumbres Pass, linking
Chama, New Mexico, with Denver by way of Alamosa. The twisting, mountainous terrain was suited to narrow-
gauge track, which is only 3ft wide instead of the standard gauge of 4ft 8in. Within a few years the line was ex-
tended to Durango, Farmington and the Silverton mining camp, 152 miles away. Railroad buffs encouraged Col-
orado and New Mexico to buy the scenic Cumbres Pass segment when the Antonito-Farmington line came up for
abandonment in 1967. Their efforts led to a compact between Colorado and New Mexico to save the railway as a
National Register site, and churning along its track, past hills of pine and aspen and expansive views of the high
plains and mountains, makes an excellent way to spend a day.
Trains run daily, roughly from Memorial Day to mid-October, from the
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Depot
( 888-286-2737;
www.cumbrestoltec.com
; 5234 Hwy 285, Antonito; adult/child from $89/49). Dress
warmly as the unheated cars, both enclosed and semi-enclosed, can get extremely cold. There are currently six
day-trip options to choose from, but whichever you select, expect to be out the entire day. Call ahead or check the
website for current schedules and reservations.
