Partly Cloudy
Humidity: 75%
Wind: North at 4 mph
28.1°F (Station details)
Friday

25°F - 41°F
Saturday

26°F - 46°F
Sunday

24°F - 46°F
Monday

27°F - 49°F
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The Orient Land Trust is a non-profit land trust created around Valley View Hot Springs, its unique culture and environment.

With the Orient Mine and Everson Ranch, we now protect 2,200 acres, its wildlife corridor, pristine spring waters, hiking trails, rustic cabins, and camping. Visitors of all ages and walks of life enjoy free educational programs, clothing-optional naturist open space, geothermal warmth, hydroelectric energy, and Colorado's largest bat colony.  Read more...

Guidelines Rates and Reservations Bat Tours

Looking toward Wolf Creek
Monday, 11 March 2019

Wolf Creek Access Issue

PRESS RELEASE: February 28, 2019 Rio Grande National Forest Again Sides with Developer in Wolf Creek Access Issue For more information regarding the latest development, go to
Read more...
Landfill Cleanup
Monday, 11 March 2019

Landfill Cleanup

We'd like to engage you the reader in a project that we are sponsoring. Orient Land Trust resides in Saguache County and the trash and recycling that is left with us by our guests ultimately ends up at our County Landfill. Currently, last year's recycling has backed up to a very large degree. The main reason for this is that the market for recycling has rather quickly dried up. China…
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Mark Cunningham dressed as a Storm Trooper for OLT Science Camp
Tuesday, 12 February 2019

Mark Cunningham, NASA Solar System Ambassador!

We would like to congratulate Mark Cunningham on receiving the honorable title of NASA Solar System Ambassador! Mark has been the lead astronomer at OLT since 2014 and was an integral part of the installation of our new telescope and training of volunteers to operate it. Mark received his first telescope at the age of 12, which began his lifelong love of astronomy. He is an Astro-photographer with over 20…
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Nantucket Pumpkin
Tuesday, 12 February 2019

Nantucket Pumpkins

The Story of the Long Pie Pumpkin Also known as Nantucket Pie Pumpkin. Said to have migrated in 1832 from the Isle of St. George in the Azores to Nantucket on a whaling ship, whence it was picked up by various seedsmen and came north to Maine. Burpee offered it in 1888 as St. George. It was and remains highly esteemed as the best pumpkin for Yankee pumpkin pies. It…
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Cedar Cabin in Winter
Tuesday, 12 February 2019

Winter

It has been a snowy winter with temperatures colder than the mild weather we enjoyed in January of 2018. Snow capped peaks are a positive indicator for more water this summer. However, the volume of water we have coming from the springs is about a third less than average and much lower than 2018. This results in less electricity from the hydroelectric generator, which means less electrically heated water for…
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Body Work Cabin above Kids Pool
Tuesday, 12 February 2019

News from the Bodywork Cabin

This winter has brought with it some colder temperatures and increased snowfall, but we're still enjoying an abundance of big dramatic skies with beautiful sunsets and warm sunshine. This year the peaceful land at Orient Land Trust, along with the San Luis Valley's dramatic peaks are cloaked in a beautiful covering of pristine snow. Situated near the Pavilion, just a short walk from the apple tree pools, is the Bodywork…
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Mary Mahoney, OLT Volunteer
Tuesday, 12 February 2019

Memorial announcement for Mary Mahoney

Mary Mahoney, a long time guest and volunteer at OLT, passed away on January 29th, 2019 from breast cancer. Mary volunteered at the Everson Ranch in the garden and with the goats, at Valley View Hot Springs doing trail repair and moss removal from the creeks. Mary was a wonderful person with a great big smile and kind word for everyone she met. She had many friends here and touched…
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Apr
20

04/20/2019 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Jul
12

5:00 pm 07/12/2019 - 12:00 pm 07/14/2019

Jul
20

07/20/2019 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Oct
19

10/19/2019 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Jan
25

01/25/2020 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

  • Naturism by Neil & Terry Seitz, FoundersHistory of Naturism at OLT
  • Words of Wisdom by Neil & Terry Seitz, FoundersSharing experience and wisdom that helped sustain this special place through the decades.

Orient Land Trust is a nonprofit land trust 
dedicated to the preservation of Valley View Hot Springs (VVHS) and its viewshed—
including natural and biologic resources, agricultural lands, wildlife habitat, 
open space, and historic and geologic features of the northern San Luis Valley—
for the education and enjoyment of current and future generations.

Values

  • Dedication to inclusiveness and the public good
  • Accountability to a diverse public community and maintaining their trust
  • Social and environmental justice beyond mandates
  • Respect for the worth and dignity of individuals and nature
  • Embracing naturism through practice and education
  • Modeling collaborative pluralism, transparency, integrity and honesty
  • Pledging excellence and responsibility in stewarding resources
  • Encouraging lifelong learning

Goals

  • Visitor Space Protection and Management: Maintain and protect Valley View Hot Springs as an affordable, peaceful and family-friendly clothing-optional recreational facility that enhances the visitor experience year round.
  • Conservation and Preservation: Follow the highest possible standards for land preservation, agricultural practices, and energy and water conservation.
  • Research and Education: Facilitate scientific research around OLT resources, and promote educational programs and activities suitable for adults and children.
  • Staff Development and Community Relations: Maintain OLT as a responsible citizen of the San Luis Valley.