20 Attractions to Explore Near Vallecito Lake

Trinity Peaks is located in the San Juan County. This area is well known for its rugged and scenic mountains, and Trinity Peaks is no exception. The peaks themselves are made up of three distinct summits: South Peak, North Peak, and West Peak. Together, they form a challenging and picturesque hike that draws visitors from all over the world. However, it should be noted that Trinity Peaks is not for the faint of heart; the hike is strenuous and the terrain is often slippery and unstable.

Jagged Mountain is one of the most popular destinations in San Juan County. The mountain is home to a variety of hiking trails, as well as a number of scenic overlooks. The summit of Jagged Mountain offers views of the nearby 14ers, including Mount Elbert and Mount Massive. In addition, the mountain is home to a variety of wildlife, including bighorn sheep and eagles. Jagged Mountain is accessible via a number of different trailheads, and there are also a number of camping options in the area.

The Highland Mary Lakes are a group of three high-altitude lakes located in San Juan County. The lakes are situated at an elevation of 12,600 feet, and they are surrounded by mountain peaks that rise to even greater heights. The lakes are fed by snowmelt and runoff from the surrounding mountains, and they are home to a variety of fish, including cutthroat trout. It is a popular destination for hikers, fishermen, and nature lovers, and they offer spectacular views of the surrounding Rockies.

Sunlight Peak, the 39th highest, is one of three 14ers located deep in the rugged Needle Mountains of Southwestern Colorado. The standard route up Sunlight Peak is from the south, known as the "Red Couloir". It is a non-technical scramble, but achieving the top of the summit block does require an exposed rock climbing move.

Windom Peak is the 34th highest peak in Colorado and is part of a group of three fourteeners- Sunlight, Windom, and Eolus. The mountain was named in honor of Minnesota senator William Windom. It have a strong wilderness character; however they can be popular in summer.

Jupiter Mountain is Colorado's 92nd highest peak. Jupiter sits at the head of Needle Creek and shares the remote Chicago Basin with four fourteeners--South Mount Eolus, North Mount Eolus, Sunlight Peak and Windom Peak--so it is an often overlooked mountain by those who venture into Chicago Basin. Jupiter Mountain also boasts some fun snow climbing on the mountain's north side. As these routes are snow climbs, they are best done in winter or spring when there's good snowpack.

Mount Oso is a high and prominent mountain summit in the San Juan Mountains range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 13,690-foot peak is located in the Weminuche Wilderness of San Juan National Forest, 30.8 miles northeast of the City of Durango in La Plata County, Colorado, United States.

Stony Pass is a high mountain pass located in San Juan County. The pass is located on the Continental Divide, at an elevation of 12,700 feet. The pass provides access to the San Juan Mountains from the east. The pass is traversed by a gravel road and is popular with off-road vehicles and mountain bikes. There are several camping areas and trailheads located in the vicinity of the pass. In the late 19th century, it became the route of a stagecoach road and later the Silverton Northern Railway.

Mount Eolus is a high mountain summit of the Needle Mountains range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. It is one of three fourteeners in the Needle Mountains; the others are Sunlight Peak and Windom Peak. These mountains are among the most remote of Colorado's fourteeners and have a strong wilderness character.

Chicago Basin in the northern part of La Plata County is undoubtedly one of the premier hiking areas in Colorado. It lies within the Weminuche Wilderness, part of the San Juan National Forest. The basin is a popular destination in summer for climbers and backpackers. The standard route of access to Chicago Basin is somewhat unusual.

Turret Peak is the highest of three Turret Peaks in Colorado, the 89th highest peak in the state and less than a half mile southeast of Pigeon Peak. It was named because of its interesting rock faces and turrets and is the highest of the Turret Needles. The summit provides a great view of Pigeon Peak's east face and the Grenadier Mountains to the north.

Pigeon Peak, elevation 13,978 ft, is a summit in the Needle Mountains, a subrange of the San Juan Mountains in the southwestern part of the US State of Colorado. This Peak is notable both for its absolute height and for its local relief. It is the 57th highest independent peak in Colorado, narrowly missing the well-known list of fourteeners. The standard route is not technically difficult, but it is long and requires a little-hiked wilderness approach.

Animas Canyon is a scenic canyon located in San Juan County, Colorado. The canyon is home to a variety of plant and animal life, and it is a popular destination for hiking and camping. The Animas River flows through the canyon, and there are numerous hiking trails that wind along the river. The canyon is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, elk, and bighorn sheep. In addition to its natural beauty, Animas Canyon also has a rich history.

A majestic summit in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. The peak is in the Weminuche Wilderness of the San Juan National Forest northeast of Durango. It is a remote Class 2 rock pile with passenger car access and either a very long, round trip day hike or a short backpack that would allow time to pick up other 13er summits. On this trip, you get to see some outstanding Weminuche Wilderness area.

Snowdon Peak is the highest point in San Juan County. The peak is located in the San Juan National Forest and has an elevation of 12,933 feet. Snowdon Peak is a popular destination for hikers and climbers and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The peak can be accessed via a number of trails, and there are several camping sites located nearby. Snowdon Peak is a beautiful spot to experience the natural beauty of Colorado and is well worth a visit for any outdoor enthusiast.

The Old Hundred Gold Mine is located in San Juan County, Colorado. The mine is a former underground gold mine that operated from 1872 to 1991. The mine is now a popular tourist attraction, and visitors can take tours of the underground tunnels and see the equipment used in the mining process. The Old Hundred Gold Mine is also home to a museum, which displays artifacts from the mining era. The mine is open to the public from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Molas Pass is a high mountain pass in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. The pass is located on the continental divide at an elevation of 10,910 feet above sea level. It is traversed by U.S. Highway 550 between the towns of Silverton and Ouray in Ouray County. The pass is named for the abundance of molas, a type of sunflower, that grow in the area. The pass provides access to the San Juans from the north side and is a popular starting point for hikes into the Weminuche Wilderness.

The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad's Silverton Bridge is a steel truss bridge that spans the Animas River in San Juan County, Colorado. The bridge was built in 1893 to connect the town of Silverton with the rest of the D&RGW railroad network. At the time of its completion, it was the highest railroad bridge in the world, with a height of 365 feet above the river. Today, the Silverton Bridge is still an important part of the D&RGW network, carrying both freight and passenger trains.

Kendall Mountain Recreation Area is located in San Juan County. The area includes a variety of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. There are also several picnic areas and camping sites available. This is a popular spot for wildlife watching, as the area is home to a variety of animals including deer, elk, bears, and mountain lions. The recreation area is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy activities such as skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing in the winter months.

Silverton is a town in San Juan County, Colorado. It is the county seat and former capital of the silver-mining district of northwestern San Juan County, which produced more than $300 million worth of silver at its peak in the late 1870s. Silverton no longer exists as an incorporated municipality, but still maintains a small town feel with many Victorian-era wooden homes and commercial buildings. The town is a popular destination for tourists visiting the nearby San Juan Mountains and so more.