Hartman Outfitters presents
The Spanish Window wilderness Adventure
We cast off at two different trail heads---One out of Pagosa Springs Colorado called Poison Park trail head and the other out of Creede Colorado called Thirty Mile Campground. We will describe the Creede Adventure below
This trip starts in the tiny mining town of Creede, Colorado. Nestled in the foothills of the divide, the echoes of history fill every corner of the once "Gold Rush" community. The private landing strip found just outside of town invites private charters to arrive daily. There are Commercial flights from Denver to Alamosa Colorado daily also. Rental cars can be picked up at the Alamosa airport. located just 90 miles South East of Creede.. From the moment you arrive at Freemons' Ranch, let Hartman Outfitters gradually take you back in time to experience this Wilderness Adventure, where the only mode of transportation is horseback or on foot.
Plan your arrival day to be leisurely spent exploring the mines and scenery around Creede.(www.creede.com) Last minute items may be purchased, as well as fishing licenses and gear. You can chat with the locals and try to prepare to outsmart the native trout waiting for you in the high country.
A get-together dinner will be provided at one of the rustic establishments or at Freemons' Ranch which is about half way from Creede to the trailhead. During dinner. Hartman Outfitters will introduce its guides and personnel and give a resume of your upcoming adventure. Freemons' Guest Ranch will be our last touch with civilization. Remember, we will be at the edge of the wilderness. Rustic and timely are the words to describe accommodations, with a flavor of the old West for sure.
Breakfast will be served at this last outpost of civilization around a true ranch house table, family style. Gear packed in duffels and all cowboy paraphernalia are loaded into vans, leaving behind your valets or luggage not needed for the high country.
Those last few miles go by slowly as the dirt road winds its way up the Rio Grande to Thirty Mile Trail Head. Packers and livestock patiently await our arrival. A mountain horse is carefully assigned to each individual and saddles are adjusted for comfortable riding. Duffels and last minute supplies are weighed and distributed to be expertly packed on the awaiting animals.
The wilderness experience starts as Hartman Outfitters slowly wind past the Rio Grande Reservoir and start the ascent to the summit of Weminuche Pass. Passing through the forest of colored aspen, the narrow trail winds upward, breaking out into high mountain meadows and finally reaching the pass. Everyone dismounts and relaxes with saddle bag lunches. Gradually the majestic wonder is unveiling before our eyes.
The afternoon ride is heightened by the spectacular site of the Spanish Window and Rio Grande Pyramid that so stately arise far above the pack train. Oh, so many legends and factual history that actually took place right there and can only be seen by those who adventure here by horseback or foot.
By mid-afternoon, the group makes its way to the base of Snow Slide Canyon at the head of the Pine River to "Hartman's' Island," a peninsula of dark spruce trees. A deluxe permanent camp lies camouflaged in the dark woods. Stand up sleeping tents with cots on carpet, shower tents and the heart of the camp is the cook's tent, where great cowboy cooking will satisfy that extraordinary high country appetite. If ya want hotdogs and beans bring your own.
Divide Lakes are mirror images of each other and provide a grand low country ride for everyone.
The incredible view from the summit of Snow Slide unveils the Squaw Peak drainages. Look for ptarmigan and other wildlife that make this high timber-less country their home.
Perhaps a leisurely day in camp would suit someone's fancy. It is only a few moments from some great trout fishing, bird watching, nature listening, or a nap in the sun. Don't forget a good pair of binoculars!
Choose any of the previous suggestions but don't miss out on the unbelievable ride to the Spanish Window and Rio Grande Pyramid. An early start and a hearty breakfast are the correct formulas for this ride. The trail through Rincon La Osa winds up, up, up, and up past timber line. You can feel the heart beat of your horse between your legs and the heaving of his sides as you ride the last mile to the floor of the window. The wind rushes across your face and threatens to take your breath away as you dismount. The view is absolutely awesome. As far as you can look in any direction is a sea of mountains and valleys. You are now standing n the actual landmark named for the Spanish conquistador who mined and hauled gold through the window to the east. Their treasures were lost and never found. Stories abound, too, of other mines and secrets. History documents starvation gulch just northwest from the Window, to be where Freemont's party was stranded in winter and the group turned to cannibalism. Such a famous landmark, suck history, and now you are here.
Looming off the side of the window is the Rio Grande Pyramid, elevation is at almost 14,000 feet. Those hearty folks who want to experience the ultimate can climb the rocky face of the summit, where under a pyramid of stones is hidden a weather beaten canister containing the names of all those who have experiences the ultimate in wilderness adventure. Sign your name and join the elite few who have climbed to the summit of the Rio Grand Pyramid.
The days are yours. Live each one your way and enjoy them all! Expert outfitters, fine food, deluxe camp, hearty mountain horses, and God's Creation as you never have seen it before, will compose a week you will always remember and cherish for a lifetime.
The return ride to Thirty Mile Camp will find you sad to leave, but well rested and your heart and mind rejuvenated, ready to approach life at full speed, with the wilderness experience tucked deep in your soul.
"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, Love never fails"
(1 Corinthians 13:7-8)
