Easy hikes and walks in Rio Grande County

La Garita (or La Ventana) Natural Arch is different from many of the natural rock arches scattered around Colorado. Rather than being formed from uplifted sandstone as most arches are, the Ventana Arch formed within a magma intrusion called a volcanic dike. Lava from the Summer Coon volcanic complex intruded into cracks in the surrounding alluvial and volcanic deposits about 30 million years ago. Parts of the magma cooled at different rates and separated from the rest of the wall, and when the surrounding deposits eroded away, the inner part of the arch collapsed, leaving a hole in the dike. The end result was a 40-foot-tall, 30-foot-wide arch. From the end of La Ventana Road, a steep scramble leads to the arch, rewarded with views across the San Luis Valley to the Sangre de Cristo mountains and the Great Sand Dunes National Park. The arch itself is difficult to see from any direction except directly in front of or behind it, quite clearly from the parking at the end of La Ventana Road. If you want to scramble up to the rock wall, bikes can be left at the end of the road, ideally locked in an elevated position, and can be seen when looking back while hiking up. The arch is a sacred site for the Jicarilla Apache and Ute tribes and is still used for ceremonies. The arch is about 11 miles northwest of Del Norte, Colorado, on Forest Service Road A23, a.k.a. La Ventana Road. The road is rough rocky gravel, but doable on most bikes. Signs in the area point to the arch. When hiking to the arch, wear sturdy shoes with good grip. Caution is warranted when climbing to the arch and when descending. Loose rock requires caution and stable footing. To get to the Arch from Monte Vista – head north out of Monte Vista on Highway 285 for 18 miles to County Road G. Turn left and go west to the “Y” just past the La Garita Store. Take the dirt road south and follow the signs to the Natural Arch.

At Wolf Creek Pass, the Continental Divide Trail crosses Highway 160. It is a good spot to get on or off the trail or for hitching into South Fork (to the north) or Pagosa Springs (to the south). Be careful when crossing the highway as it is quite busy.

The Big Meadows Reservoir is a great spot for recreational activities such as hiking and fishing. There is a large parking lot, a pit toilet, a campground at the east shore and a hiking trail to circle around the lake. If you want to extend your adventure, you can take the Archuleta Trail to get into the mountains.

Starting at Big Meadows Reservoir, the Archuleta Trail is roughly 6.5 miles long to where it connects with the Continental Divide Trail and to the beautiful Archuleta Lake. It will take you along creeks, through forest, open meadows and through Aspen forests.

At this sign you can extend your hike around Big Meadows Reservoir into the Weminuche Wilderness by following the Archuleta Trail that take you to Archuleta Lake. There is a trail register that you should use for your protection in case you get lost.

The Archuleta Trailhead is located at the south shore of Big Meadows Reservoir. There is a large parking lot and a pit toilet. You can walk around the lake combining a section of the Archuleta Lake with the Big Meadows Loop Trail. The Archuleta Trail leads up to Archuleta Lake in the Weminuche Wilderness and connects with the Continental Divide Trail.

Great hike. The southeast corner of the loop has many fallen trees that have not been cleared out for several years now. Just makes for an adventure going up, over, under, and through the woods.