I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of our wonderful and skilled volunteers who supported the Land Trust this summer! We had over 50 individuals who helped as Camp Hosts, Discovery Hosts, Bat and Astronomy Tour Guides, Geology, Hydro and Ranch Tours. Many others helped put in the community garden, were teachers and support staff for Kids Science Camp, maintained trails, stained cabins, chopped firewood, laid fence and pulled weeds. As the leaves turn and our volunteer family departs, we are left with wonderful memories of a great summer. Thank you again and hope to see you next year! The new volunteer schedule starts in March 2017.

Dog issues have been our greatest challenge this summer. We've had half a dozen dog bites and many complaints of dogs off leash, at the pools and in the campground. There is about a 50/50 break in the folks who love to bring their dogs and those who wish dogs were not allowed at the hot springs. The position we have taken is to ask our dog owners to be responsible for their pets and to respect the rights of those who do not like dogs or are afraid of dogs. The challenge continues!

This past week, a guest who is afraid of dogs had a negative experience here. She left her campsite located in the upper part of the RV loop. It was almost 10:00 pm and she was heading towards the bathhouse and then the pools. Walking down the road to the bathhouse she encountered two dogs latched inside a van. They were aggressively lunging and barking loudly at her approach; the owner was not present. Taking the path of least resistance, she walked back up the hill and around the RV loop. When she got to the bottom of the hill, there was a loose dog blocking her path! Retreating back up the hill, another loose dog runs to the road to greet her. Our guest finally makes it back to her camp site and there is a third loose dog who comes right up to her and has pinned her against the truck. She climbs in her vehicle and stays there the entire night afraid to venture out to the pools or bathrooms. In a matter of 30 minutes there were 4 dog violations, untended barking dogs, dogs off leash, and a loose dog untended. The result was an unnerving interaction for someone who fears dogs. Our guest left early the next morning still shaken.

We would like to continue to support our dog loving guests. The open space all around us is a great area to explore with your dog. Personal responsibility for your pet and respect for other guests, and our guidelines, is necessary for everyone's benefit. If you don't think you can follow these guidelines, please leave your pet at home. Every guest who visits has the right to have access to all the pools, roads and pathways, bath houses and accommodations without fear, including intimidating canine behavior. Please consider if your dog is a good fit for Valley View and if you are willing to take on that level of responsibility. Valley View is important to many different kinds of people who come for different reasons. Considering others, respecting all, please help us to provide an environment where the dogs are responsibly tended and all guests feel safe.

The bats are gone. The last time we took a group up, Saturday, there were only a handful (eight) bats spotted. We didn't take a group last night and we won't be scheduling a tour guide until next year. 

This year, late August has offered the boon of some significant rainfall. The northern valley had become parched and dusty. The Hayden Pass Fire had lasted for weeks and smoldered along with frequent bursts of activity sending plumes of smoke into the air to the east. The hot springs was not affected very much by the fire. We did have a few afternoons of some smoke drifting into the valley but we were really fortunate that the impact of the fire was not felt here. The rains have dampened the spirits of a few tent campers yet the gift of moisture was much needed and appreciated!

Orient Land Trust had the contributions of twenty-two Colorado College volunteers from August 24 to August 28. The students worked in two groups. One group put a new coat of wood stain/preservative on the Spruce Lodge. The second group worked at the ranch building fence. This annual help has been beneficial for us and we hope the students enjoy their time here as much as we enjoy having them here. In addition to the work they did, they got to tour the hydroelectric generator and learn about the inter-related aspects of the OLT systems. The group camped at the Orient Mine and with some afternoon rains had the opportunity to have campfires at their camp site. Many thanks to Colorado College for this opportunity and a big Thank You to the volunteers!

This year we received a record number of complaints about dogs and an increase in dog bites. We walk a fine line between our members who love to bring their pets and those who wish dogs were not allowed at the hot springs. Our desire is not to discourage dog-owners from visiting, rather it is to encourage dog-owners to manage their pets responsibly.

Please consider if your dog is a "good-fit" with the environment here. Dogs who are high strung, excitable or easily stimulated do not do well and are best left at home. We encourage first time visitors to come without their dogs so they can see if it is a good environment for their pet. We have specific pet guidelines to which dog owners must adhere.

These guidelines are simple: Pets must be quiet, peaceful, always attended, picked up after and leashed. Pets may not be tied so they block a pathway or obstruct entrance to a pool or pond. Tie them to a tree, well away from the spring. Barking, aggression, impacts to other guests, or damages are not tolerated. Please tell us when you make your reservations that you wish to bring your dog. All pets must be vaccinated and registered with the front desk. There is a small fee to bring your dog; $5 day, $10 camping, $15 if staying in a cabin. As the weather gets colder, remember that we have five dog friendly cabins. Dogs are not allowed in the water. The Oak Lodge, Sunset House, Spruce House, Sauna, bathhouses and Welcome Center are dog free buildings. If you have questions about your dog visiting or if you are bringing a service dog, please give us a call! We would love to help you in planning your trip with your pet so that everyone has a positive experience.

Orient Land Trust is proud to present a Ranch Celebration Event on October 1, 2016. We invite you to join us at the Historic Everson Ranch for our open house tours and special Harvest Dinner Concert & Dance. Register now online. Tickets for the dinner and concert are $50 per adult, $25 for minors aged 13-17 and there is no extra charge for kids under 12. All kids and minors must be accompanied by an adult.

This has been such a great year at the ranch with many long term projects being completed and new facilities and gardens opening for use. It’s time to celebrate! Everyone’s invited. Let’s enjoy a fun social time together with good food, music and dance.

Ranch tours will be available throughout the day, visit the animals, the community garden and hike to the Everson Reservoir.

Farm to Table Harvest Dinner will be catered by RustingRam Catering!  Menu to include a variety of our free range grass-fed beef, pig and goat meat along with our farm raised organic salad greens, rosemary roasted potatoes, roasted beets, garden veggies and grilled squash medley, and from the valley, quiona salad.  Beer from our new local brewer, Crestone Brewing Company & Elevation Brewery and wine from Vino Salida included as well.

The Concert and Dance promises a special treat featuring a wonderful trio led by Sandra Wong playing violin and the Swedish stringed instrument the nyckelharpa, multi-instrumentalist Andy Reiner and tabla hand drum player Steve Bross providing a variety of bluegrass, old time tunes and other special musical sounds for our listening and dancing enjoyment.  We'll be gathering for dinner around 3:45 pm,  with drinks and musical entertainment by the valley's own Sweet Radish. Plan on arriving early.

A beautiful early fall afternoon/evening at the ranch. What could be better? We invite you to join us for this special celebration. See you there.

All proceeds go to support Orient Land Trust.  Thank you to our sponsors: RustingRam Catering, J&J Rentals and Crestone Brewing Co, Vino Salida and Elevation Brewery.

Buy Your Tickets Now

EVENT DETAILS

Gathering and Drinks with Music by Sweet Radish 3:45 pm
Dinner Begins At 4 PM
Main Concert and Dance with Sandra Wong and Friends 
4:45 to 6:30
RANCH TOURS All DAY!

Our partners in conservation, the Nature Conservancy, did their annual monitoring July 28 and 29. The experience of walking around the ranch, meanders, and hot springs is interesting and enlightening. The meanders this year look especially healthy. We were able to get more water to the riparian area by installing a by-pass around the hydroelectric plant. Thanks to volunteer Jim for the design and welding! The informal, unofficial report is that things look fine.

Science Camp 2016! was July 24th through July 28th. We had 18 kids, ages 4 through 13 who camped with us for the week-long program. Our goal was to create awareness of environmental issues, resource sustainability, land and habitat conservation. To give our youth the opportunity to experience this unique environment, to expand their knowledge of the natural world through our educational programs and to instill a sense of stewardship and personal responsibility. The kids went on Geology, Hydro- electric, Astronomy, Everson Ranch and Bat Tours. We also learned about the weather, solar power, horse husbandry, the birds of OLT and went on a plant hike. There was art and music and s'mores! It was a great week!

Our OLT family is blessed with intelligent, experienced and openhearted people who gave of themselves for the kids. Thank you to our instructors, staff and volunteers who made this event possible! Special thanks to the families, the kids and their parents, who shared this experience with all of us. The Science Camp 2016 was sponsored by a Saguache County Sales Tax Grant and support from Orient Land Trust.

Thank you: Doug, Rosie, Cherrye & Mike, Scott, Crystal, Dr. Jay, Cosmic Mark, Barry, Michael, David, Jessica, Jim, Kathryn, Cynthia, Chloe, Henry, Jack, Julie, Mike, Ian, Jane, Eric, Ruby & Marie!

This is our chance to say Thank You! to all OLT members. Members only, no capacity limit. No member turned away. Expect lots of people. Don't bring non-member friends, unless they want to become a member, this is the only weekend that is members only.

Music, food, pools, and summer. Member Appreciation Weekend is August 12 and 13 this year. The band on Friday night is Todd Johnson & Breaking Blues featuring OLT camp host Ian Monk and Saturday night the band is Mama Magnolia. The most eclectic potluck this side of the front range is on Saturday afternoon. Sunday morning, OLT serves breakfast.