La
Veta, the vein, served as a vital lifeline a century ago; the town
was originally a busy trading center, supplying the nearby area with
goods. Today it is a lovely small town with friendly people and
a great place to stop when visiting southern Colorado.
La
Veta is surrounded by the Great Dikes. These volcanic
formations are made from granite and radiate out from West
Spanish Peaks. They are about four miles long, one hundred
feet high, and vary from 20-30 feet thick. These Dikes are
known as the Devil's Stairstep or Stairway to Heaven.
A
must do near La Veta is to take a drive south on Highway 12, a
Colorado Scenic Byway called the Highway of Legends. As you
drive this two-lane road, you will pass from small towns to ranches
(with free range cattle - watch for them on the road) forests to
valleys and beautiful lakes and rock formations. We saw many
bird species attracted to the area by streams and lakes and even saw a black
bear, what a nice surprise.
We
drove up to Cuchara Pass on the shoulder of the Spanish Peaks and
were treated to a fantastic view. It is a great way to spend
some time seeing another side to Colorado.
