Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS
In a state full of dazzling mountains, the shark-toothed Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ)
range certainly holds its own. These mountains are steep and jagged, rising as much as
6000ft in about 4 miles, and three - Kit Carson, Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle - were
the last of Colorado's 14ers to be summitted (Colorado College professors Albert Elling-
wood and Eleanor Davis managed the feat in July 1916, after walking over 100 miles from
Colorado Springs). It's a rugged range with limited acccess points: the main ones include
Westcliffe (eastern side), Crestone (western side) and the Great Sand Dunes (southwest).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Westcliffe
POP 563 / ELEV 7867FT
The full panorama of the rugged north-south Sangres is best viewed coming into Westcliffe
on Hwy 96, where you'll see peak after jagged peak rise up dramatically from the valley
floor. The town itself is a down-to-earth ranching community; outside of the bluegrass fest-
ival and rodeo in July, it's mainly of interest for travelers as the staging ground for excur-
sions into the eastern Sangre de Cristo wilderness.
Sights
Westcliffe has a historic Main St, with a few 19th-century buildings scattered around town.
The old state bank on 2nd St is where scenes from
Comes a Horseman,
the 1978 flick star-
ring James Caan and Jane Fonda, were shot.
Silver Cliff Museum
(610 Main St; 1-4pm Sat & Sat summer)
This small museum is housed in a former town
hall and fire station, built in 1879. You can view relics and photographs of the regional his-
tory. It's located in Silver Cliff, just east of Westcliffe.
MUSEUM
Activities
Hiking
