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The Orient Land Trust protects and shares 2,200 acres of open space located 4-1/2 miles south of Villa Grove, Colorado and 7 miles east of the junction of U.S. Highway 285 and Colorado Highway 17 on Saguache County Road GG (a gravel road). This high-mountain, rural oasis is far removed from gas stations, grocery, and other services. OLT stocks a small selection of local foods and snacks. It is a 175 mile drive from Denver (over 3-1/2 hours), 146 miles from Colorado Springs (over 3 hours), 198 miles from Santa Fe (over 3-1/2 hours) and 260 miles from Albuquerque (4-1/2 hours). The closest towns with services are shown on the maps below.
Orient Land Trust
Home of Valley View Hot Springs, Orient Mine, and Everson Ranch
64393 County Road GG
Moffat, CO 81143-9723
719-256-4315
GOAL OF $180,000 FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES UPGRADES
OLT members are the greatest people in the world! They believe in and have made a commitment to keeping Orient Land Trust and its holdings, among them our crown jewel – Valley View Hot Springs – the special place that it is forever. From the soaking ponds, the wildlife, the landscapes and pristine environment at the hot springs village, the nature trails, the bat out flight at the Orient Mine and the Everson ranch -- what's not to love? Our members have taken the important step to make sure that these things, and more, are preserved for future generations by becoming Members. Large capital infrastructure expenses, however, like the Wastewater Treatment upgrades, stretch OLT's Operational Budget to the max, thus our need for an Annual Appeal campaign to help fund these additional expenditures. Thank you for supporting this year's "Let's Potty" Annual Appeal by contributing to our mandated Waste Water Treatment upgrades. Your gift will help keep the Orient Land Trust/ Valley View Hot Springs debt-free from this large wastewater expenditure project that, while not glamorous, undergirds your OLT experience of serene landscapes and soothing waters with much needed renovations for life's basic necessities! Thanks for partnering with us.
.jpg "Oak Outhouse")
.jpg "Main Bath")
.jpg "Pool Bath")
.jpg "Old Outhouses near the Oak House")
.jpg "Inside Main Bathroom")
.jpg "Oak Outhouse")
.jpg "Inside Oak Outhouse")
-2.jpg "Oak Outhouse")
.jpg "Oak Outhouses")
.jpg "Original wastewater site beside proposed site for underground facility")
.jpg "Original Wastewater Treatment Aerator")
-2.jpg "Original Wastewater Treatment Aerator")
Any Annual Appeal gift for the WWTP project on top of your Annual Membership Fee will increase your Membership Level and its related Member benefits accordingly (see Member Benefits).
Goal updated 4/11/2014
The Orient Land Trust protects and shares 2,200 acres of open space located 4-1/2 miles south of Villa Grove, Colorado and 7 miles east of the junction of U.S. Highway 285 and Colorado Highway 17 on Saguache County Road GG (a gravel road). This high-mountain, rural oasis is far removed from gas stations, grocery, and other services. OLT stocks a small selection of local foods and snacks. It is a 175 mile drive from Denver (over 3-1/2 hours), 146 miles from Colorado Springs (over 3 hours), 198 miles from Santa Fe (over 3-1/2 hours) and 260 miles from Albuquerque (4-1/2 hours). The closest towns with services are shown on the maps below.
The Orient Mine is located approximately 2 miles north of the the Welcome Center and Valley View Hot Springs. Free guided tours hike there from the Welcome Center a couple hours or so before dusk. Bat outflight times vary so call the Welcome Center with correct times for that day so you arrive with plenty of time to make the hike.
Orient Mine and Bat Caves at the Orient Land Trust
via OLT Welcome Center
64393 County Road GG
Moffat, CO 81143-9723
719-256-4315
The Orient Land Trust protects and shares 2,200 acres of open space located 4-1/2 miles south of Villa Grove, Colorado and 7 miles east of the junction of U.S. Highway 285 and Colorado Highway 17 on Saguache County Road GG (a gravel road). This high-mountain, rural oasis is far removed from gas stations, grocery, and other services. OLT stocks a small selection of local foods and snacks. It is a 175 mile drive from Denver (over 3-1/2 hours), 146 miles from Colorado Springs (over 3 hours), 198 miles from Santa Fe (over 3-1/2 hours) and 260 miles from Albuquerque (4-1/2 hours). The closest towns with services are shown on the maps below.
Please check in at Welcome Center before visiting the Everson Ranch and Reservoir. Be careful to close all cattle gates behind you. Do not enter the historic structures without a guide.
Everson Ranch at the Orient Land Trust
29398 County Road 61
Moffat, CO 81143
719-256-4315
informal
formal
[calendar listing including who's offering each]
"Never thought of ourselves as owners so much as stewards. It just made sense to share..." - Terry
Minimal cost and development
Non-profit and noncommercial approach
Free to children under 16
Free tours
Supporting local government (unrequired taxes?)
Supported by your donations
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.
Heavens Above, Site 1792105 (OLT) - astronomy and satellite events, localized to Valley View Hot Springs
Space Weather - meteor showers, solar weather, and aurora sightings
.jpg "A Donated Telescope")
.jpg "The Night Skyline")
.jpg "Constelation of Orion with Jupiter near Taurus")
.jpg "Lunar Eclipse")
.jpg "Aurora Borealis as seen from Valley View, Mar 30, 2001")
_seen_from_Valley_View_Hot_Springs_-(011-).jpg "Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) seen from Valley View Hot Springs")
_seen_from_Valley_View_Hot_Springs_-(011-)-2.jpg "Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) seen from Valley View Hot Springs")
.jpg "Astronomy Host, Larry Porter sharing his 16")
-2.jpg "Astronomy Host, Larry Porter sharing his 16")
-3.jpg "Astronomy Host, Larry Porter sharing his 16")
-4.jpg "Astronomy Host, Larry Porter sharing his 16")
.jpg "Lunar Eclipse")
.jpg "Doug Bishop viewing the stars")
.jpg "New Astronomy Platform 2016")
-2.jpg "New Astronomy Platform 2016")
Year round, our overnight guests can soak comfortably under the stars all night. All areas remain open to all guests throughout the night. We maintain minimal artificial light and recommend having a flashlight ready well before dusk. Most visitors are surprised how comfortably they can soak for hours.
Please be mindful when using flashlights near others and keep a low voice out of respect for those sleeping nearby in tents and cabins.
.jpg "Sunrays over San Luis Valley")
.jpg "Sunrays through clouds, San Luis Valley")
.jpg "Hold in the Clouds")
.jpg "Sunset")
.jpg "Sunset")
.jpg "Sunset sheer cloud formation over Sange de Cristo")
.jpg "Sunset sheer cloud formation over Sange de Cristo")
.jpg "Cresent Moon at Sunset")
.jpg "Double Rainbow over Lake")
.jpg "Rainbow over Orient Mine")
.jpg "Low Hanging Fog")
-2.jpg "Low Hanging Fog")
For the education, enjoyment, and well-being of current and future generations, Orient Land Trust:
promotes a positive clothing-optional experience at all properties including Valley View Hot Springs, Orient Mine and Everson Ranch;
preserves the viewshed, including land acquisition;
protects natural, wild, agricultural, and historic resources, in the northern San Luis Valley.
