Poncha Springs

To paint a portrait of Poncha Springs is to picture the diversity and richness of the Old Western Colorado alongside the image of a typical small town in rural America. Located in Chaffee County Colorado, in the upper reaches of the Arkansas River Basin, Poncha Springs is nestled in a valley surrounded by the scenic San Isabel National Forest. Ponc... ha Springs calls itself the Crossroads of the Rockies, an appropriate nickname given that the town, at an elevation of 7,465 feet, is nearby to 14 mountain peaks of more than 14,000 feet above mean sea level and is situated at the junction of two transcontinental highways. The immediate area and surrounding region are blessed with natural beauty and environments sought out by many visitors who arrive to enjoy the numerous available leisure-time activities. Winter sports and skiing are possible at Monarch Ski Area approximately 15 miles west of Poncha Springs. Small and big game hunting, stream and lake fishing, hiking, horseback riding, camping and picnicking, sight-seeing, 4-wheeling, and white water rafting are among the pursuits enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. There are two public 9 hole golf courses located nearby, the Salida Golf Club at 404 Grant St in Salida and the Collegiate Peaks Golf Course at 28775 Fairway Drive in Buena Vista. The many area points of interest include the individual mountain peaks, forests, lakes, streams and scenic wonders, but also include ruins of old narrow gauge railroads and ghost towns from the gold rush era of the late 1800's.Read More