Wet Mountain Valley facts for kids
The Wet Mountain Valley is a beautiful valley found high up in the mountains of south-central Colorado. It's located in Custer County and is a special place known for its stunning views and interesting history.
Exploring the Wet Mountain Valley
This amazing valley sits between two mountain ranges. To the east, you'll find the Wet Mountains, which are full of different plants and animals. To the west, the tall Sangre de Cristo Range stands proudly. Both of these ranges are part of the larger Sangre de Cristo Mountains system, which is a big part of the Southern Rocky Mountains.
Towns and Life in the Valley
The main towns in the Wet Mountain Valley are Westcliffe and Silver Cliff. These towns are very high up, almost 8,000 feet (about 2,438 meters) above sea level! The area is famous for its old ranches and for growing really good hay, which is food for animals.
Waterways of the Valley
Two important creeks help drain the valley, meaning they carry water away. One is called Grape Creek. It starts in the southern part of Custer County, near a place called Music Pass. This creek flows north into DeWeese Reservoir, a lake that holds water. From there, it goes through a narrow canyon before reaching the Arkansas River.
The other important creek is Texas Creek. It begins northwest of Westcliffe and flows northeast. This creek also eventually meets the Arkansas River, near US Highway 50. These creeks are important for the valley's plants, animals, and people.
