Welcome to Crestone!

Today is the first day of winter, and from my home in Crestone I can see the snow-capped peaks and passes of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. At midmorning it is 30 degrees F and the wind is gusting 30 to 40 miles per hour. On a day like this, one needs only to step outside for a moment to understand the challenges faced by the area's native people and those first pioneers. The wilderness was all around them.

Their challenge was not to tame the land because that is clearly impossible, but rather to adapt themselves to the land and understand how best to use its resources.

The people of today have wilderness challenge, too, it is no less daunting a task than that which faced the pioneers and it also is fraught with difficulty and uncertainty. Our challenge - understanding how best to preserve the wilderness for future generations - is great enough to test anyone who enjoys wild lands.

Whether you are looking to enjoy the great outdoors, receive some healing bodywork, shop, soak in a hot spring, enjoy organic foods, or participate in spiritual practice and study, you'll find lots to do in Saguache County and Crestone. Saguache sits at an elevation of 7,800 feet, surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo mountain range to the east, and the San Juan range to the west.

Some of the best SPORT CLIM-BING in the county can be found at PENITENTE CANYON NEAR LA GARITA. Penitente has 60 to 70 bolted routes with some beginners and many for advanced and expert climbers. If you are an observer or to take break from climbing, Penitente is also a great hiking and mountain bike area with marked trails. Camping is available within walking distance of your climbs.

While touring Saguache County, you'll want to visit the GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK and PRESERVE, with the tallest dunes in North America.

NORTH CRESTONE LAKE TRAIL HEAD is located just above the town of Crestone. Immediately inside the National Forest is creek-side camping and fishing that accommodates drive-up campers. The trail head itself is another mile up the gravel road. At about 9,760 feet you'll find branching trails to Groundhog Basin, Venable Pass, Phantom Terrace and North Crestone Lake. Further along the North Crestone Trail is the North Crestone Loop Trail which begins somewhere around 9,750 feet.

So, its no wonder why you might feel better simply by visiting Crestone, drinking the water, breathing the air, and getting a good nights sleep. But, luckily, there are some great folks who live in Crestone that do bodywork and can help enhance the wonderful feelings you get from being here.

In general, bodywork has the potential to ease stress and pain, calm the nervous system, increase circulation, loosen tight muscles, stimulate internal organs, get you "back into your body", and restore fluid movement, among many other benefits. In Crestone, any bodywork you get is augmented and enhanced by the increased energy that exists here.