Scenic Highway of Legends (Highway 12) in south eastern Colorado, loops around going by Walsenburg, La Veta, Cuchara, Cuchara Mountain Resort, and Trinidad.  From Walsenburg it follows the Cuchara River westward, climbs Cuchara Pass and descends to follow the Purgatories River to Trinidad.  It was designated as a Colorado State Byway in 1987 and a National Forest Byway in 1990.

Baker Trail  is a short walk from Aspen Leaf Village 35 (alv35.com), or can be accessed from Dodgeton or Indian Creek Trails, making a loop trip possible.  Hike 1.5 miles on the Dodgeton Trail from Spring Creek Trailhead to the junction of Baker Trail.  After another 1.5 miles you will reach Baker Creek, a developed area which includes the Cuchara Mountain Resort area.  It is another 1.5 miles to Indian Creek through the tight Baker Creek drainage.  The trail stays near the creek and is steeper up to Indian Creek Trail.  You will have to make 7 creek crossings, but most of them will be over culverts.   (TOP)

Blue Lake is a small 3-acre reservoir .  It is at an elevation of about 10,500 feet and is very popular with fishermen.  The Colorado Division of Wildlife stocks Blue Lake with trout during the summer season.  Facilities include a handicapped accessible trail to and along the south shoreline of the lake.  There is a relatively short, easy hiking trail up to Bear Lake. (TOP)

Bear Lake is a 5-acre reservoir a short distance above Blue Lake.  It is also very popular with fisherman.  It is stocked during the summer season by the Colorado Division of Wildlife.  Access trails for Blue Lake, Bear Lake Campground and the Indian Trail are located inside the campground and take off from the parking area.  (TOP)

There are two trailheads in the Cuchara Recreation Area.  Trinchera Peak 4WD road,  Forest Road 436, that begins across from the entrance to Blue Lake Campground. There is some parking for 2 WD vehicles just before where the 4WD road begins.  The other trailhead begins at Bear Lake on Indian Creek Trail.  (TOP)

Trinchera Peak 4WD Road/Trail begins across from the entrance to Blue Lake Campground.  There is some parking for 2 WD vehicles just before where the 4WD road begins.  Some high clearance vehicles can make it to tree-line.  There are a few switchbacks and water-bars, but otherwise fairly easy traveling.  At tree-line, at about 11,800 feet, there is a parking area and dispersed camping. If traveling past the tree-line, a high clearance 4WD vehicle is a must. (TOP)

The 4WD portion of the road climbs steeply after the first switchback, going through screen and tundra.  It then drops into a cirque (where a waterfall can be seen in early spring).  The road then climbs with narrower switchbacks over large screen and slide-rock.  The portion of the road from tree-line to the dead-end at 12,600 feet , takes you to just below the ridge at an old mine.  This part is about 1 mile in length with a 1,000 foot vertical rise.  Sightings of a large herd of bighorn sheep are common.  The trail to Trinchera Peak begins just after the mine and the summit is about 3/4 of a mile (40 minutes ) from the mine.  Gain the steep and rocky ridge and follow it to the summit.  Trinchera Peak is part of the Sangre de Christo Mountain Range.   (TOP)

Indian Creek Trail is a multiple use trail.  The trail starts at the north end of Bear Lake and connects the lake with Baker, Shortcut and Dodgeton Trails.  The trail follows the contours of the drainages in a rather roller coaster fashion without really gaining any elevation.  There is a scenic view about 1/2 mile from the trailhead that leads up a burn scar to (where the unique Limber/Bristlecone forest is growing up).  One can look out over Cuchara valley and the ski area.  The Baker Trail junction is reached after about 1.5 miles.  After 3 miles one can connect with Shortcut Trail and the Dodgeton Trail intersects after about 5 1/2 miles.  (TOP)

Dodgeton Trail starts at Spring Creek Trailhead, where there is parking, a toilet and picnicking facilities.  It is designated as a multiple use trail.  There are loop possibilities using Baker, Indian Creek and Shortcut Trails.  This trail winds around a bit during the 1.5 miles to the junction with Baker Trail, but it is fairly easy hiking.   Shortcut Trail joins after 3.5 miles.  Dodgeton stream is crossed 2 times as you follow the drainage.  You leave the drainage and have a fairly level hike to Indian Creek Trail.  (TOP)

Blue Lake | Bear Lake | Trinchera 4WD Road | Indian Creek Trail | Baker Trail | Dodgeton Trail | Shortcut Trail
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