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Highway 12- Scenic Highway of Legends
Huerfano County and Las Animas County ,CO
Colorado State Highway 12- "The Highway of Legends"
History:
Did George Simpson really save Trinidad from marauding Utes by distracting them with taunts? Where is the lost gold vein that supposedly offered nuggets so rich a 19th-century prospector could live off one for a full year? And what fate befell Juan Humana and his band of conquistadors, who disappeared near the Purgatoire River in 1594 and were never again seen alive? You may not find the answers on the Highway of Legends, but you will enjoy the dramatic settings that have inspired tall tales among Native American nomads, Spanish explorers, and Anglo and Hispanic settlers for hundreds of years. From the impenetrable heights of the Sangre de Cristos and Spanish Peaks to the ominous redrock abutments of the Dakota Wall and the Devil's Stairsteps, this land is truly larger than life.
(Exert taken from the Scenic Byway of Colorado website)
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You may enter what we affectionately call the "Loop" either in Trinidad or by heading west from Walsenburg, CO and heading approximately 16 miles west on highway 160- All Mile posts mentioned below are on Highway 12 itself and does not include the mileage from Walsenburg on Highway 160- All Miles in distance are measured from Trinidad, CO.
Length: 82 miles
Driving time (approx):2 hours
Trinidad,CO
Milepost 70.5
(Mile 0.0)
Trinidad has a rich history from Bat Masterson to Kit Carson and was a main stop on The Santa Fe Trail.
Simpson's Rest (above) is named after one of Trinidad's Earliest inhabitants George Simpson. Simpson was a scout,trader, and explorer who , story tell, saved the town from a Ute Indian attach. The Sandstone Bluff that overlooks Trinidad and home of the Trinidad sign is where he was laid to rest as per his request. Fishers Peak which is synonymous with Trinidad was named after Capt. Woldemar Fisher who climbed it to find his way for himself and his troops. It is a National Natural Monument and is part of the Raton Mesa.
Fishers Peak
Cokedale
Milepost 63
(Mile 7.5)
Coke Ovens which are the namesake of Cokedale,CO are used to cook the
coal and remove impurities for use in steel production
Cordova Plaza
Milepost 50.8
(Mile 19.7)
Ringo's Market in Segundo - right on Highway 12
Weston,CO
Milepost 49.5
(Mile 21.1)
The town was originally named Los Sisneros after Juan Sisneros a rancher in the area. In 1889 , the first post office was established here and the town was re-named after the first postmaster Bert Weston.
Vigil
Milepost 42.6
(Mile 27.9)
New Elk Mine
Milepost 41.6
(Mile 28.9)
Stonewall,CO
Milepost 37.8
(Mile 32.7)
The large rock wall rising 250 feet above Stonewall,CO
is part of the Dakota Sandstone Formation
and was formed millions of years ago.
Monument Lake
Milepost 33
(Mile 37.5)
Monument Lake is nestled between the incredible stonewall that is Stonewall , COP namesake and the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range. The lake is stocked with Rainbow trout and kokanee Salmon . Live bait is available in season. Also there is a small hotel and cabins available for rent. in season.
North Lake
Milepost 29.4
(Mile 41.1)
Cuchara Pass, Cordova Pass, Farley Overlook
Milepost 33 and follow CR #46
through the pass and to Aguilar
( Seasonal Access Only)
(Mile 37.5)
Apishapa Tunnel
You leave the paved road of Highway 12 to access CR #46 which is called The Cordova road. Named for Jose De Jesus Cordova, a three time Las Animas County Commissioner. It is a popular trip in the fall to see the changing alpine foilage. Cordova Pass provides scenic access from Cucharas Pass to Gulnare to Aguilar through San Isabel National Forest (Seasonal Access)
Cordova Pass Monument
Cuchara River Recreation Area
Milepost 19.9
(Mile 50.6)
Cuchara
Milepost 33
(Mile 37.5)
Dakota Wall
Milepost 13.8
(Mile 56.7)
Devils Stair Step
Milepost 11.5
(Mile 59)
Devils Stairstep at the base of the Spanish Peaks
Profile Rock
Milepost 9.5
(Mile 61.1)
La Veta
Milepost 4.8
(Mile 65.7)
Junction of Highways 12 and 160
Milepost .3
(Mile 65.7)
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