La Garita area
Aliases: Poso Campground, Moon Pass, Storm King Campground
The road heading west from the town of La Garita into the mountains of the same name first passes through a beautiful canyon with colonies of swallows and White-throated Swifts. The land in this area is a mix of public and private property, so pay attention to signs so as not to trespass. About twelve miles from La Garita you will come to a fork in the road. To the left is M33, South Camero Road, where you’ll find are Poso Campground, Moon Pass and an eventual dead end for passenger vehicles. To the right is 41G, Camero Road, where there is Storm King Campground and Carnero Pass, and an eventual outlet to CO 114 west of Saguache. Camero Creek runs along the left side of M33, South Camero Road, and supports some thin willow cover and lots of beaver activity. Poso Campground is in some nice mixed-conifer forest on a north-facing slope. Higher up, near Moon Pass, you get into some good mixed-age aspen groves and dense spruce forest where you might run into Gray Jay and other high-elevation birds. White-winged Crossbill has been seen near Moon Pass in summer, so keep an eye out. This road is a good place to look for elk, mule deer, marmots, porcupines, and other montane creatures.
Restrictions: Please respect private property. Roads M33 and 41G are closed from March 15 to May 15 annually.
County: Saguache
Directions: To get to the town of La Garita, from Monte Vista head north on US 285 about 17.5 miles to Saguache CR G and turn left (west). You will reach the town of La Garita in about five miles. To get to the areas described above just keep heading west through town.
Alternate Directions: From Monte Vista, head north on US 285 for 17.5 miles to Saguache CR G and turn left. Go about 6 miles, through the town of La Garita, to the area described above.
Habitat: Cliff Face, Streamside Willow, Pinyon-Juniper Forest, Mixed-Conifer Forest, Aspen Grove, Spruce-Fir Forest, Mountain Meadow
Dates of Access: Open year round (higher roads not maintained in winter)
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Ownership: US Forest Service/Private
Admission or Fees: Free
Parking: Mostly roadside
Lodging: USFS campgrounds
Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Viewing from car; Poso CG is accessible, Storm King CG not accessible
Delorme: 79 A5-B7
ROC: 117 F4, 118 A4, 134 A1
Latitude: 37.8408348
Longitude: -106.2466966