Views of Valleys…

It’s January in Colorado and I’m at an elevation of over 8,000' feet.  It’s nighttime and dark but for the light of the stars. The moon has yet to rise.  I exercised my clothing optional option and quickly dipped into a hot spring pond to cover myself in warm water. The “waterfall pond” is smallish and as I move further in, I’m startled to realize there’s a man in the water sitting at a distance but under the waterfall.  I’m surprised because I made something of a racket arriving at the pond and I thought he would have announced himself.  This was my first night at Valley View Hot Springs. 

In addition to the option to go clothing-less, the setting was also very natural. There are several ponds and all are actual ponds complete with rocks and algae. The thin film of detritus stirs as you settle in to the mostly subtle rocks and pebbles of the pond bottom. It is fantastic!

The views are truly wonderful. It was possible to watch the sunset from the “soaking pond”:

And from one of the top ponds, you can gaze over the valley and the Sangre de Cristo mountains as you lay flat propped on your elbows with just your head sticking out of the water. Here is one of the top ponds:

A nighttime dip is a must – especially in the top pond, which is also the warmest natural pond. There are no lights. The night sky view stretches from the western horizon to just overhead and is so bright and clear.  It’s magical to sit in the warm spring with the twinkling stars above and bubbles all around you from the water seeping up from the ground.

From the main Valley View lodging area there is a hiking trail to the bat cave or the Orient Mine town site.  The hike to the bat cave has sweeping views of the valley and a cool cave system, which you can partially see but is separated from you by a chasm (and a fence). It’s worth the hike up.

On the hike up there was an interesting sight – the carcass of a deer. There were a few bits around the trail but this was the biggest part.  It must have been recently taken down. Not exactly sure why it’s so fascinating to see stuff like this but I really can’t help looking.  Not something you see everyday…

Speaking of dead things, the Orient Mine is sealed but there is this eerie sign nearby that reminds you that six people died in the mine and that their ghosts are in the tunnel.

After two nights and two days at the hot springs (and two stops at Amica’s in Salida!), I’ve returned home feeling relaxed and lucky to live in Colorado and be able to see stuff like this.