The San Luis Valley Lookout near Mosca, Colorado is an easy 0.1-mile out-and-back trail that leads to a lookout point that features views of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and the mountains surrounding the San Luis Valley.
This very short trail is not a hike but rather a short roadside walk through the valley. The views from the end of the trail are identical to the views at the beginning of the trail, but visitors will find information kiosks where you can learn more about the San Luis Valley, including the surrounding mountains, the Great Sand Dunes, and the chalky-white ground substance known as sabkha.
About Sabkha
As you travel through these sandy grasslands, notice the bright white surface deposits visible along the highway to the west. The sabkha forms where sand is seasonally saturated by rising ground water. When the water evaporates away in late summer, minerals similar to baking soda cement sand grains together into a hard, white crust. Areas of sabkha can be found throughout western portions of the sand sheet, wherever the water table meets the surface. Sabkha wetlands support shore birds such as the American avocet (pictured above), dragonflies, chorus frogs, toads, and tiger salamanders. Sandhill cranes (right) use these wetlands during their spring and fall migrations through the San Luis Valley. Early settlers collected sabkha minerals to use in baking or laundry detergent. In the 19th century, a tiny town appeared nearby called Soda City. Residents collected and pressed the minerals into blocks that were shipped by train to be sold as washing soda.
Universal Access
This trail is universally accessible and follows a smooth mostly-flat surface comprised of crushed stone as of June 2024.
Parking
Visitors will find a large parking turnout at the coordinates provided, located on the south side of LN 6 N outside of Mosca, CO. The turnout is large enough to fit over a dozen vehicles as of June 2024.
Pets
Dogs are allowed only if leashed and should be cleaned up after.
This very short trail is not a hike but rather a short roadside walk through the valley. The views from the end of the trail are identical to the views at the beginning of the trail, but visitors will find information kiosks where you can learn more about the San Luis Valley, including the surrounding mountains, the Great Sand Dunes, and the chalky-white ground substance known as sabkha.
About Sabkha
As you travel through these sandy grasslands, notice the bright white surface deposits visible along the highway to the west. The sabkha forms where sand is seasonally saturated by rising ground water. When the water evaporates away in late summer, minerals similar to baking soda cement sand grains together into a hard, white crust. Areas of sabkha can be found throughout western portions of the sand sheet, wherever the water table meets the surface. Sabkha wetlands support shore birds such as the American avocet (pictured above), dragonflies, chorus frogs, toads, and tiger salamanders. Sandhill cranes (right) use these wetlands during their spring and fall migrations through the San Luis Valley. Early settlers collected sabkha minerals to use in baking or laundry detergent. In the 19th century, a tiny town appeared nearby called Soda City. Residents collected and pressed the minerals into blocks that were shipped by train to be sold as washing soda.
Universal Access
This trail is universally accessible and follows a smooth mostly-flat surface comprised of crushed stone as of June 2024.
Parking
Visitors will find a large parking turnout at the coordinates provided, located on the south side of LN 6 N outside of Mosca, CO. The turnout is large enough to fit over a dozen vehicles as of June 2024.
Pets
Dogs are allowed only if leashed and should be cleaned up after.
