Platoro
Platoro is a tiny, remote village surrounded by the Rio Grande National Forest. It’s located about two hours south of South Fork, two hours east of Pagosa Springs, and two hours southwest of Monte Vista.
Some would call the area the middle of nowhere. Others might call it paradise. It’s situated within Conejos County at an elevation of 9,870 feet. There is a reservoir a few miles west of town, which attracts adventurers in the summer.
San Luis
Situated in south central Colorado, not far from the New Mexico border, San Luis boasts the oldest church in Colorado and La Vega, a rare public commons — a place where communal grazing of livestock is allowed.
The town is most famous, however, for its Stations of the Cross, a string of bronze statues climbing the mesa adjacent to town. Each station represents a moment during the crucifixion of Christ, and the locale is popular with Christian visitors each Easter. Art aficionados might like to visit the sculptor's studio, located in town at the bottom of the hill.
Carson
Carson was victim to the harsh winters of Colorado, situated almost directly on the Continental Divide at nearly 12,000 feet. It was founded as a mining camp and was one of the most inaccessible in Colorado. You’ll need a 4×4 if you plan on visiting the several remaining empty buildings and relics.
There’s several sights to explore in the hills around town. Carson is sometimes confused with Old Carson, on the Pacific side of the Continental Divide. Old Carson was thought to be the earlier mining camp built south of the mountain at over 12,000 feet. The newer Carson had a wagon road to Lake City.
