Traveling Pagosa Springs & Wolf Creek Pass
Pagosa Springs
Traveling alone from Denver, Colorado is quite a hike and can range up to 6 plus hours if you add in a meal or bathroom break. Ever since I first got to Colorado two years ago, I've been trying to find land in the four corners are of the state. The area is not an easy place to live since there are few jobs and expensive housing.
Pagosa Springs is a sweet town since it is home to a very popular hot springs and about an away from the area I am looking to buy land. In my opinion, it is a nice place to visit but not to live. What I like most about the town is the hot springs, and if you know anything about me then you know that is one of the main reasons I left California.
The freedom of Colorado is still on par and is one of the wealthiest in the country, mainly due to the fact that it was the first state to legalize marijuana and hemp growth as well as distribution. However, I not only adore the mountains but hot springs is really the best I have ever encountered. I have a favorite spot in California and Japan, but this state houses some pretty terrific hot springs.
These photos were taken with my Nikon D5600, on my way back to Denver, Colorado.
If you have never seen the geological formation of what creates hot springs, then this shot will bring some clarity. This beautiful piece of natural art sits right in the center of town and anyone can go dip their hand right into it and purify their soul with its healing properties.
I tried to get a clear photo of the steam coming straight off the top of the flowing Pagosah, using the Southern Ute Native American word for healing waters so says the town's welcoming page, but according to the Ute Dictionary the word Paghosa means smelly water. This area was a part of their lands before this land was taken for pioneer settlers back in 1891.
In 2011, as stated by the Guinness Book of World Records, Pagosa Springs has the deepest geothermal hot spring of 1,002 feet.
The Pagosa hot spring water when it reaches the surface is approximately 150 degrees and the water has high contents of natural sulfide, which creates a strong egg odor. An amazing 700 gallons per minute is being pumped out of this hot spring and flows int San Juan River.
On this particular day I just dipped my hands into the waters and did not spend the day as I sometimes do. As I traveled further north there is Wolf Creek Pass world renown ski resort, and slightly dangerous pass.
I really had no idea what a pass was until I moved to Colorado, for the most part Highway 1 in California could unnerve many but not until you have experienced mountain life do you know how dangerous a pass can be. Mostly, from the change of weather that can happen instantaneously, and in my case this happened on the day I chose to drive home. The weather turned from slightly wet to snow in an instant. A hazy sort of snow fog dropped on my car and I felt like I was transported to the outer-limits.
Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration but I took a video just to prove how sinister the weather can be. You decide.
But first, let me show you this very cool winter waterfall that is on the way up the pass. I couldn’t help but stop this time because it sure did look nice in the freshly fallen snow.
Wolf Creek Pass
The waterfall looks very tiny with all the trees, but it was fairly close. I hadn't received my new telephoto lens so that will have to wait for another day. I still thought this capture was pretty sweet.
Zooming in a little more I was able to take this fairly close up photo, with the waterfall amongst the trees flowing nicely. The sound of a fast flowing waterfall is music to my ears.
After the delightful waterfall experience I was shocked to see as I drove further north into the pass this is what happened (watch the video.) Fortunately, I had my favorite group Gasoline Lollipops playing in the background to ease my nerves. The song is entitled Me and Your Ghost.
Driving about 35 miles per hour was the safest I could be, especially since I was sort of one handed driving while videotaping. Hey, hey, I lived in New York it's all good! As I made it to the top of the pass, I could breathe a sigh of relief as the snow stopped and I found a decent overlook photo to take.
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Wolf Creek Passboasts an elevation of 10,857 feet and categorized as one of the most dangerous roads in America. The dangerous part comes in when local Coloradans try to run you off the road because they feel since they are from the area they can still drive the mountains doing 80 miles per hour. These are the ones you usually see flying off the mountainside or at least their crashed up vehicle.
Since I am not from Colorado originally and I wish to live a few more years I tend to drive a bit more cautiously. As I reached the top of the pass, as I mentioned earlier I saw a gushing waterfall on the side of the road. Of course, I had to share this winter-wonder-landscape with you.
In summary, if you ever find yourself on one of America's most dangerous passes drive carefully and do not do what Eagle Spirit did -- do not take a video! Peace.
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Greetings,
Thank you for stopping by to read my blog. I’m a First Nation member of the Hopi & Apache Native American tribes, Medicine Woman in training, first time blogger since November 2017, right here on Steemit, paralegal, researcher, and writer based in the Mountains of Colorado, USA. I work closely with fellow planktons and minnows in a few groups by helping them adjust to Steemit and curate quality content. I’m especially interested in finding others who love natural medicine originating from ancient practices, gold and silver, energy work, and the Spirit World. If that’s you, please say hello!
See you soon, @eaglespirit
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