|
FISHING
Let us help you find your fishing hole...
If Gold Medal fishing on the Rio Grande River sounds good, we highly recommend a guided trip with South Fork Anglers. Their motto "Life is just passing time between fishing trips" tells you just how serious they are about fishing. This remarkably experienced outfitter offers world-class guided float and wade trips all year round, as well as private access fishing. Advance reservations are required. For more information call 877-656-3474, or visit www.southforkanglers.com
Featured in the Denver Post by renowned sports writer Charlie Meyers, Wolf Creek Anglers is another fantastic choice for your local guide service. Located in nearby South Fork, this Southern Colorado premier fly-fishing shop and outfitter caters to both beginners and advanced fly-fishermen, offering ultimate access to the area's best water and experience-based instruction. Fish the Rio Grande river, Saguache, Conejos and Sanchez Reservoir plus other high mountain streams, with Wolf Creek Angler guides. They are sure to please, as they bring years of experience and fun to these amazing spots. Please inquire about special package discounts for guests of the Double Spur Lodge by emailing shop@wolfcreekanglers.com. You can also visit their website at www.wolfcreekanglers.com, or phone (719) 873-1414 for more information.
If you want to fish on your own, area lakes, streams and reservoirs are truly abundant. We will be happy to send you a "Colorado Fishing" Information booklet, or you can go directly to www.wildlife.state.co.us for more details.
The Double Spur also offers guided mountain-fishing trips by horseback, as well as private-land fishing at our Rustic cabin site. See our Western Adventures page for more info.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Half & full day rides, lessons, pack trips, rustic cabin overnights and more...
Click on Western Adventures
Get a little western and plan your summer visit during the Ski-Hi Stampede "Colorado's oldest Pro Rodeo". 3 days of fun, including parades, chuck wagon dinners, western dances, concerts, carnival, and of course great Rodeo excitement. Every year in late July. Call for more information
RIVER RAFTING
Serving this area since 1985, we confidently refer our guests to Mountain Man Tours for rafting adventures on the upper Rio Grande. Enjoy class II-III rapids, amazing scenery and expert family guides. Mountain Man Tours offers both Oar-Guided and Paddle-Guided Trips. For more information call 719-658-2663 or 719-658-2843 (off season), or visit www.mountainmantours.com
Other nearby rivers include The Arkansas River (1 hr 15 min drive).
GOLFING
"Mountain golfing at its finest"
In conjunction with the Rio Grande Club, the Double Spur Lodge now offers "Stay and Play" packages. Let us help plan a day of golf for you and your guests at this beautiful club, rated 6th in the nation by Golf Digest (2003) for best new upscale public golf course. Just minutes away from the Double Spur, nestled in the foothills above Southfork, this is a must for any golfer visiting the area. Advance reservations required for tee time. Don't miss the wonderful Rio Grande Club restaurant and Big River Lounge while you're there. For more information visit www.riograndeclub.com
Other golf clubs in the surrounding area:
Monte Vista Golf Club - 719-852-4906 - 15 min drive
Alamosa Golf Club - 719-589-5330 - 40 min drive
BIKING
Biking in the San Luis Valley affords riders the diversity of 2 mountain ranges, the Sangre de Cristo & the San Juan as well as a variety of BLM and forest service lands. Beautiful views, abundant wildlife and a wealth of trails make this a great spot to mountain bike. Always follow IMBA & International Mountain bicycling Association rules of the trail. The Double spur can help with more info on biking in the area. For Guided Mountain Bike Tours contact Mountain Man Tours 719-657-2663, or visit www.mountainmantours.com
For bike rentals contact Kristi Mtn. Sports 719-589-9759, or San Juan Sports 719-658-2359.
CLIMBING & HIKING
Sport Climbing in the San Luis Valley started, and is still most popular, in Penitente Canyon as well as Rock Garden canyon, Witches and Side Winder canyons. All of these climbing areas are just north of The Double Spur Lodge & Ranch, near the town of La Garita. There are many other sport and traditional climbing areas very close by, as well as a multitude of great spots for fun family hikes. The San Luis Valley is also home to many of Colorado's "Fourteener" peaks. For more information and for all your climbing and hiking needs contact Casa De Madera Sports in the town of Del Norte 719-657-2723
BIG GAME HUNTING
Black powder, bow & rifle.
Let family owned and operated "Big Horn Outfitters" share their 35+ years hunting and guiding experience with you. For more information click on Hunting
WINTER ACTIVITIES
DOWNHILL SKIING
Photo by Sven Brunso
Wolf Creek Ski & Snowboard Area - Only a 45 min. drive from the Double Spur, Wolf Creek is noted for having the most snow in Colorado. A wonderful family ski and snowboard area with two triple chairs, two double chairs and a poma lift. The base is at 10,350 ft. The top, on the Continental Divide, is at 11,755 ft. Don't miss this fantastic ski area. For more information call 970-264-5639. For the ski report, 1-800 SKI-WOLFCREEK (754-9653), or visit www.wolfcreekski.com
Other ski areas nearby:
Monarch Ski & Snowboard Area - www.skimonarch.com
SNOWCAT TOURS & BACKCOUNTRY SKIING
10 minute drive to trailhead. Contact www.jds.com for more information. Double Spur guests receive a discount with an advance reservation.
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
Skiers enjoy groomed trails only 40 minutes from the Double Spur. Contact Wolf Creek Ski area for more info. 800-754-9653 - www.wolfcreekski.com
SNOWSHOEING
Contact Frosty's ski shop for snowshoe rentals. 719-873-5960
ICE SKATING
Outdoor (weather permitting) - 5 minute drive
ICE CLIMBING
Contact Casa De Madera Sports for more information. 719- 657-2723
SIGHTSEEING, SHOPPING, THEATRE, DINING, RELAXING
CUMBRES & TOLTEC RAILROAD
"America's most authentic steam railroad"
Photo by Gerald M. Blea
The territory that the Cumbres & Toltec travels through is just amazing. This railroad was recently named "one of the best 20 railway experiences in the world" by the Society of International Railway Travelers. Don't miss this! Trains depart at 10am from Antonito, which is about an hour from the Double Spur lodge. Call 719-376-5483, or visit www.cumbrestoltec.com for more information and travel schedules.
Other scenic railways:
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum (2- 21/2 hr drive) - www.durangotrain.com
Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad Company 719-486-3936
GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL MONUMENT
Don't miss this amazing phenomenon! The tallest sand dunes in North America combined with beautiful landscapes make a wonderful spot to explore, to hike, to discover animals and plants, to enjoy silence and solitude, or to run, jump, and slide... and don't forget your camera for a treasured vacation photo! Visitor center open daily except federal holidays during winter. Ranger-guided activities available. Only a 55 minute drive. For more information call 719-378-6300, or visit http://www.nps.gov/grsa/
MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK
First discovered in 1888 by area cattle-ranchers, this park has been recognized as the number one National Historic Monument in the world. Over 4,000 identified sites, including cliff dwellings, kivas, artifacts, and more provide an abundance of opportunities to explore the ancestral Puebloan people. An approximate 3.5 hour drive. www.visitmesaverde.com
MUSEUMS & HISTORIC DISTRICTS
Rio Grande County Museum, Fort Garland museum, Underground mining museum, Creede, Monte Vista, Salida, and more. Call for more detailed information.
STAR GAZING
"There are so many stars, it almost doesn't look real"
A great location to see the stars. Visit the Adams State College Planetarium (open Fall to Spring). Let the Double Spur help arrange a personal tour of the stars. Call for more information.
NATURAL LANDSCAPE & WILDLIFE VIEWING
The local landscape is beautiful from season to season. A great place for photography trips. The wildlife is so abundant and diverse, it offers much to either the casual or serious observer. Our local mountains are home to elk, deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, moose and many other beautiful animals. Check out the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge - habitat for numerous bird species, including the near extinct whooping crane. This is also the site for the annual Whooping Crane Festival, held each March. 719-589-4021. The Colorado Alligator Farm (an hour's drive from the Double Spur) houses a varied collection of reptiles, and the first baby alligators to be born in Colorado. Call 719-378-2612 for more info.
CREEDE REPERTORY THEATRE
This nationally recognized repertory group, in existence since 1966, is known for its ability to present quality theatre, with both acknowledged favorites and innovative new works. Enjoy great entertainment as you make this a part of your visit to the Double Spur. A beautiful 45 min drive from the lodge. For more information and season schedules call 719-658-2540, or visit www.creederep.org
RELAXING, PAMPERING, SOAKING, MORE RELAXING
Visit local full service salons, day spas and hot springs, or let the pampering come to you, with manicures, pedicures, and massages at the Double Spur Lodge. Special advance arrangements needed. Call the Double Spur for more information.
SHOPPING & DINING
In the town of Del Norte only 5 minutes away, don't miss Frontier Corners. Take a step back in time as you enter, right down to the creaking wood floors and the sasparilla sliding down the bar in the Saloon. Purveyors of authentic old west collectibles including home furnishings, clothing, tack, jewelry and more, this is an amazing place housed in an original 1800's building. For antiques, visit The Grande Emporium and the Golden Fleece. Wonderful country gifts and home decor can be found at the Cobblestone Corner. The help is as wonderful as the chocolate truffles sitting on the counter. Close by are Casa De Madera Gifts, as well as Haefelis Honey for fresh mountain honey, candles & more. Just west of the lodge on your way to South Fork, be sure to stop at Log Cabin Antiques & Christma/Gift Barn, a wonderful spot with something for everyone. Travel 15 minutes to South Fork and check out Colorado Cowgirls, The Cabin, and Home Reflections for unique mountain gifts, home decor and furnishings. Visit the old mining town of Creede, where you will find a multitude of Mountain gift shops, galleries and eateries. (see Creede under Sightseeing). If you still want more shopping...there is more. We will be happy to direct you.
Dining Out? Try Chalet Swiss, The Wolf Den, The Rio Grande Club, The Rockaway Cafe, Antlers Riverside Restaurant, The Creede Hotel and more.
The above is only a sample of the multitude of area activities and sites. However, make sure you don't forget to spend time relaxing in the beauty and peacefulness that surrounds.
|
