Birth of the Rio Grande

 San Juan Mountains

The Rio Grande's birthplace is in Southwest Colorado not far from the continental divide. The first waters come from three small streams at an altitude of some 12,000 feet above sea level in the San Juan mountains.

Two friends of the authors hiked up to this area in the late summer. The two retired professors, Alfredo de los Santos and Dick Richardson volunteered to bring us photographs of the headwaters region. We are indebted to them for the favor. As reported by these adventurers, and as it can easily be seen from their photos, the region is astoundingly beautiful.

Purple Mountains Majesty

Stream becoming river

Arguably, this is the most beautiful part of the river, the point at which you can still walk across it by stepping on river stones. Yes, these gentlemen saved us the trip but they got to see the great panorama and we did not! They also ate some fine trout they caught themselves. We commend them for being able to hike for two days for these privileges.

The photos brought back by our friends focused on the South Fork of the river, one of the three streams that come together to nudge the river down from the mountain, through the San Luis Valley and into New Mexico. 

Crossing the Rio Grande...legally!