Welcome to the Wigwam Series- Southwest journeys rooted in a sense of place, story, and adventure
Our first journey takes us to the Stations of the Cross in southern Colorado’s San Luis Valley.
San Luis, the oldest town in Colorado, is home to the remarkable bronze sculptures along the Stations of the Cross—a spiritual and scenic journey overlooking the town.
Continue north through the San Luis Valley to explore the Fort Garland Museum, the towering dunes of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, and the short but memorable hike to Zapata Falls.
And if you’re a hot springs connoisseur like I am, follow Highway 17 north to discover four very different hot springs, each offering its own atmosphere and experience.
The Stations of the Cross are beautifully depicted in a series of bronze sculptures by internationally known San Luis artist Huberto Maestas. They rest along a comfortable three-quarter mile trail that climbs a short distance up a small mesa named La Mesa de la Piedad y de la Misericordia (the Hill of Piety and Mercy).
Fort Garland Historic Museum and Cultural Center – Learn about the Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th Cavalry who were stationed at the Fort from 1876 to 1879. Discover Colorado’s role in the Civil War in the West exhibit. Rich in military history, Fort Garland highlights the women and children who brought a bit of home to the fort. From the Fort, plan a visit to Pike’s Stockade, where Zebulon Pike and his men camped in the early 1800s.
Zapata Falls- A short hike that overlooks the Great Sand Dunes National Park. As dry as the San Luis Valley appears, there is water in ‘them thar hills.’ Water flows year round at Zapata Falls and even in winter, when the falls partially freeze, this makes a perfect playground for ice climbers! A great family adventure!