Copyright: Amy Pyle-Interactive Outdoors, Inc.
This vista lies west of Highway 285 a few miles north of Salida
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Description
- Salida is home to a variety of festivals throughout the summer season. The first is the FIBArk Festival (First in boating on the Arkansas) for kayakers and their fans. The entire town participates in this celebration of water with concerts and concessionaires in Riverside Park downtown. Fourth of July is celebrated in a grand way in this small town with live entertainment, micro-brews and fireworks. The Aspen-Salida Music Festival brings classical music to the banks of the Arkansas in a series of live performances. In addition to these festivals the Salida Hot Springs Pool is open throughout the year for visitors and locals alike. A great way to mend sore muscles from any sport, this pool boasts Colorado's largest indoor hot springs pool.
Recreation - The recreation opportunities are endless in the mountains, rivers and canyons surrounding Salida. The Arkansas River literally runs through town and provides a challenging course for all levels of boaters. Mountain climbing in the Sangre de Christos or Sawatch Mountains will keep hiking enthusiasts busy for years. Mountain biking fans, beginners to advanced, will enjoy the terrain that surrounds Salida. The BLM land in the area supports hundreds of miles of four-wheel drive roads and motorcycling trails. The Arkansas River and its many tributaries offer many fishing opportunities. Look at the information for the Salida Ranger District of the Pike-San Isabel National Forest to find the details. Climate - Salida's climate depends on the sun. When it is shining brightly the weather is warm - summer or winter. When the clouds build in front of the sun the temperature can be very cool. Generally, the summer weather is warm. Because of the elevation, 7,036 feet, the sun burns intensely during the summer months. Don't forget to wear sunscreen, because the thin air doesn't filter harmful rays as well as the air at sea level. During the winter months the sun can burn, too. Many a cross-country skier has come home with a sun burn in early February. Layers are the key to comfort during the winter. The clouds can come from the mountains quickly and bring precipitation with them. Being prepared for bad weather is a necessity when you're playing in extreme terrain. Location -
Salida is located south of Buena Vista in the Arkansas River Valley. It is immediately east of Mt. Shavano, which is the southern most fourteener in the Sawatch Mountain Range. About five miles south of Salida the Sangre de Christo Wilderness begins. These mountains loom in Salida's southern horizon. Highway 50 borders Salida on its southern side, and leads east to Canon City and west to Gunnison.
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