Sangre de Cristo Pass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sangre de Cristo Pass |
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The pass is the dirt road in the center of the picture.
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| Elevation | 9,468 ft (2,886 m) |
| Traversed by | Unimproved road |
| Location | Costilla / Huerfano counties, Colorado, U.S. |
| Range | Sangre de Cristo Mountains |
| Coordinates | 37°37′10″N 105°11′42″W / 37.61944°N 105.19500°W |
| Topo map | USGS La Veta Pass |
 Location in Colorado
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Sangre de Cristo Pass is a high mountain pass in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Colorado, USA. It sits at an elevation of about 9,468-foot (2,886 m). This pass has been a very important route for travelers for hundreds of years. It connects different parts of Colorado.
Exploring Sangre de Cristo Pass
Where is the Pass?
Sangre de Cristo Pass is located in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It is found in the southern part of Colorado. The pass is a natural pathway through the mountains. It helps connect two different counties: Costilla County and Huerfano County.
This pass also marks a special boundary. It separates two major river systems. On one side, water flows towards the Rio Grande river. On the other side, water flows towards the Arkansas River. This means the pass is a "drainage divide." It sends water in two different directions.
A Journey Through History
Sangre de Cristo Pass has a rich history. It was a popular route for many different groups of people long ago. Native peoples used this pass to travel between the Rio Grande and Arkansas River areas. It was a safe and well-known path for them.
Later, trappers and traders also used the pass. These were brave explorers who traveled through the wilderness. They used the pass to move furs and goods between different regions. It was a key part of their trade routes.
The pass was also the site of a special fort built by the Spanish. This fort was called the Spanish Fort. It was built in 1819. This fort was the only permanent building the Spanish government ever built in the Mountain West region. This was north of what is now the state of New Mexico. The fort shows how important this pass was, even to governments.
