June 14, 2025, 10:00 AM

Start at the Welcome Center

We will discuss the geologic setting of the Orient Land Trust and Valley View Hot Spring, then, depending on people’s abilities and vehicle availability, we will walk or drive to look at active fault scarps near Valley View.

The Sangre de Cristo Mountains began to rise about 19 million years ago in a process that is still active today. We can see evidence of this process on the Orient Land Trust property. This same process is important for the formation of the hot  springs that we enjoy. A short distance across the valley was a very different and violent story, which
we will also discuss.
What you need: Good walking shoes (there will be cactus), a hat,
water, and sunscreen, if desired. Clothing Optional, but bring something
in case we choose to leave the property.

Saturday, August 16, 2025, 9:30 to about Noon

Start at the Pavilion
We will hike just less than 3 miles round-trip to the north end of the OLT and back past the Orient Mine.
The walk is along a gentle grade on the road to the Orient Mine and then on the old railroad grade. (Similar distance, but easier than to the bat cave.)
We’ll expose geologic time, walking along a geologic timeline from the Precambrian to today, learning about the events that shaped the land around us and how the rocks on the OLT fit into the story. Walking the timeline provides a perspective on how long-ago events like the rise of the Rocky Mountains and the extinction of the dinosaurs were.

We’ll discuss climate change through geologic history, the evolution of life, and occurrences of mass extinctions, all of which provide additional perspective on current events.
What do you need:
Walking shoes and water. A hat and sunscreen are recommended. Clothing optional (this is an excellent naturist walk if you are so inclined).

Join us for an educational tour of our hydroelectric plant.

The streams on the property flow to the collection box, where they are directed down 9,000 feet of pipe, with an elevation drop of 540 feet and about 0.45 psi per foot. This drop creates a low-flow, high-pressure environment until it reaches the Pelton wheel. The Pelton Wheel turns at 1200 rpm, creating all the electricity used across Valley View.

Schedule a tour with us to learn more about our sustainable energy production.

The Orient Mine, which was active from 1880 through 1932, was the largest producer of iron ore in Colorado, having produced about two million tons of limonite. The mine showcases the geologic history of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the San Luis Valley, providing a glimpse into a past that began over 1 billion years ago.

Each summer since first documented in 1967 the Orient Mine has been home to the state’s largest colony of migrating Brazilian Free-Tailed Bats. Between mid-June and mid-September every year, visitors can watch the bats emerge from the mine at dusk in the thousands. Join us for a two-mile hike up to the mine to experience this marvelous event.

The Orient Land Trust is perhaps best known for protecting its spectacular views. With 2,200 acres over a variety of terrain and surrounded by __ miles of public lands, visitors share a powerful and unique perspective of the world. The viewshed highlights the natural, historic, and agricultural heritage of the northern San Luis Valley, its rural communities, and their gentle pace of life. The skies are wide and open, with dramatic and beautiful weather. Come nightfall, the high altitude and lack of light pollution make provide some of the best stargazing to be found.

OLT’s location and geography are extremely favorable for great celestial viewing. Several great telescopes were donated for visitors to view the skies in great detail. Our Astronomy Hosts share the science and wonder of the night sky with visitors. With our 8″ telescope, guests can spot distant galaxies, fascinating stars, as well the rings and moons surrounding nearby planets.