La Garita Creek Ranch - 5CO6
UPCOMING FLY-IN - Friday June 2nd to June 4th, 2017.
Welcome to La Garita Creek Ranch - Click through the tabs above to learn more.
La Garita Creek Ranch is located at 8100 feet in southern foothills of Colorado's San Juan Mountains bordered by the Rio Grande National Forest. Originally built in 1974 with the intention of becoming a resort for hot air ballooning, it operated as a western guest ranch until mid-2000 when the previous owner sold it at auction. At its peak, it accommodated 32 guests in a 14-room lodge and offered tennis courts, hot tub, sauna, pool, and game rooms. The ranch also has numerous cabins nestled around cottonwood trees along the creek.
Upon landing at the airstrip, there are scenic views offering some of the countries’ highest and largest mountain valley, the San Luis Valley. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains dominates the eastern horizon, which hosts stunning sunrises. With BLM and Rio Grande National Forest bordering the property, excellent recreational opportunities are plentiful and nearby. From the base of the ranch, you have access to excellent fishing, hiking, rock climbing, horseback trails, and lots more! The ranch recently improved the 3400’ long dirt / clump grass runway. While no longer operated as a guest ranch, the property still has the log cabin style main lodge, along with four large cabins/duplexes which are occasionally rented out for events. The La Garita creek gently meanders through the property supplying a large pond with a mile of trout fishing access along the stream. The area surrounding La Garita Creek Ranch also provides a rich history with both the Ute and the Anasazi Indian tribes using this ground for summer camps (hunting blinds and pictographs are evident) as well as the early 19th century explorer, John Fremont.
The re-opening of La Garita Creek Ranch was made possible by the generous agreement of the current landowner and the current leaseholder of the property. A great deal of time and financial investment has been given to the property in order to re-open it to the general aviation community. Important to note: the ranch and facilities are no longer being operated for profit and use is allowed only during fly-ins or by permission/request. Camping is permitted on the airfield and cabins are available for rent for a minimal fee. Completion of the Liability Waiver form and a safety briefing is required before landing at La Garita Creek Ranch.
Click through the tabs above to view the various recreational, lodging, and food options while staying at La Garita Creek Ranch.
Click the play button on your left or follow this link to view a video of La Garita Creek Airport and the surrounding terrain.
La Garita Creek Airfield Information:
Additional Remarks:
La Garita Creek Runway Information:
Nearby Personal Weather Stations in Center CO & South Fork, CO
** Not representative of actual conditions **
La Garita Creek Airstrip Disclaimer:
I (the pilot whose information is provided in this form submission) affirm that the statements in the Liability Release are true, are made in good faith, and no information has been withheld or suppressed.
IN CONSIDERATION OF my flight(s), I, the undersigned, agree, intending to be legally bound hereby, that as the pilot of my flight(s) and the landowners on which my flight(s) will takeoff and/or land (collectively, with their respective successors, heirs, assigns and insurance companies, all of the foregoing are hereinafter referred to as the “Released Parties”), shall not be liable for my death or injury to my person, or for any loss for damage to my property, caused in any manner whatsoever, whether attributable to the negligence, intentional act or omission of one or more of the aforesaid Released Parties, or for any other reason, occurring during the time that I am in, entering or alighting from an aircraft piloted by (pilot provided in form submission). I do hereby, for myself and my heirs and assigns, waive any right of action against the Released Parties from any and all causes or claims that I may have against one or more of the Released Parties from the beginning of time until these presents. I further agree not to sue on any such cause or claim. I fully acknowledge and understand that there are dangers and risks associated with my flight(s) which might result in my injury or death, and I voluntarily desire to participate in, and assume the risks of, my flight(s). I the undersigned, accept liability for all accident/incident-related damages and all liability not covered by the attached insurance policy for flight operations at the property owned by:
Named Parties: Wagon Tracks, L.L.C. (owner), La Garita Creek Ranch, L.L.C. (operator), Fly Colorado, L.L.C. (website)
Address: 38145 County Road East-39
*Revokable at any time by property owner
Nearby Recreation, Places to see, Food:
History of La Garita townsite:
U.S. Forest Service Info on nearby recreation
U.S. Forest Service Recreation Brochure:
Article #1 on Pentiente Canyon
Article #2 on Penitente Canyon (from Cozine.com)
Article #3 on Penitente Canyon (from Sangres.com)
Article #4 on Penitente Canyon
Looking for daytrip flights to nearby airstrips while based out of La Garita Creek
Ranch? (Click on map above to expand)
-Hooper Pool: Natural Hot Spring Pool, Serves Lunch and Dinner
Fishing Report: June 2013:
La Garita Creek Ranch welcomes overnight guests. There are a few different options available:
-Chipita - 2 Queen beds, $ 85 for two people, $ 30 per person above 2 (fireplace)
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Cliff Dwelling Cabins
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Blue Sky & Bonanza Cabins
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Buckaroo & Wrangler Cabins
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Ouray & Chepita Cabins
