Shavano is a huge BLM area outside of Poncha Springs and near Salida CO. We arrived about 12:30, found a spot in the large common area near the entrance and setup the camper just enough to have lunch. After lunch we drove around (without the camper) to see if anything better was available. I had my eye (via satellite image) on what appeared to be a choice spot but assumed it would be taken. Low-and-behold it was open. We dropped a chair, scurried back, hooked up and moved to the new site.
Blue dot is our campsite.
Shavano is split into an upper and lower area. Our campsite is at the end of the lower area with a steep rocky, potholed climb, "The Hill", to get to the upper area. We can see The Hill from our site and it has been a constant source of entertainment watching various vehicles make the climb.
As we were walking up the hill, 2 suv's were coming down.
Most large rigs stay in the lower area. After scouting the other 29 sites in the lower area, we determined ours is the best site for the view and privacy, no other sites near by.
Here's some pictures from the first few days at Shavano...
View from one of the upper sites looking northeast to the valley below.
Relaxing after a morning walk.
These hills have me intrigued. Trees only grow on the east (left) side. Perhaps the winter winds are predominantly out of the west, scouring the western slope. I'm sure there's another explanation but they remind me of the Missoula floods giant current ripples.
The days have been sunny in the morning with possible thunderstorms (mostly light rain) in the afternoon.
Morning walk on a chilly overcast day.
That afternoon we had the strongest storm yet, complete with hail.
Hail collecting in the bike cover.
After the storm, the sunset made it look like the mountains were on fire.
The next morning the surrounding 14,000 ft peeks had a fresh coat of snow.
More to come.
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