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New Mexico Geological Society
Fall Field Conference Guidebook - 22
San Luis Basin (Colorado)

cover

H. L. James, ed., 1971, 340 pages, reprinted 2001.

The 22nd annual field conference embraces the San Luis Basin and its highland environs. Most people refer to this agricultural gem as "San Luis Valley," but geologically it is one of the truly great intermontane structural basins of the Rocky Mountain-Southwest; bounded on the east by the uplifted Sangre de Cristo Range and hinged on the west by the volcanic heights of the San Juans. Its width is 50 miles; its length a surprising 150 miles, stretching from Poncha Pass on the north and inclusive of the Taos Plateau south into New Mexico. It is a beautiful expanse that is dotted with volcanoes, fertile farms and lush ranchlands. It is ribboned by a great river of history and set in the midst of Swiss-like mountains. Indeed, an interesting field for study. The first day road log is from Alamosa to the eastern San Juan Mountains, via Alamosa River, Jasper, Summitville, South Fork, and return. The trip will involve a circuitous route through the eastern San Juan Mountains. The second day road log is from Alamosa to the Great Sand Dunes National Monument, Poncha Pass, Salida, Howard, and return via Saguache, and Monte Vista. The geologic character of the San Luis Basin and the east flanking Sangre de Cristo Mountains will be examined. The third day road log follows the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.

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Table of Contents:

Note —Downloads of the papers below are free. Road logs, mini-papers, and some other sections of recent guidebooks are only available in print.

Front Matter: (includes Dedication, President's Message, & Conference Organizer's Message)

Download (2.65 MB PDF)

Roadlogs: (each includes listed mini-papers)

First day, Alamosa to the eastern San Juan Mountains, via Alamosa River, Jasper, Summitville, South Fork and return
— William S. Calkin, Robert Kendall, and Peter W. Lipman, pp. 1-14. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-22.1
Second day, : Alamosa to the Great Sand Dunes National Monument, Poncha Pass, Salida, Howard and return via Saguache and Monte Vista
— Dennis Bruns, James Carrico, Chapin, Charles, E., Richard H. De Voto, Ruby C. Epis, Lee C. Gerhard, Dan H. Knepper, Gary R. Lowell, Ron Marrs, Fred Peel, and Ralph E. Van Alstine, pp. 15-38. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-22.15
Third day, rail log, Antonito, Colorado, to Chama, New Mexico
— Richards L. Burroughs and A. P. Butler, pp. 39-67. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-22.39
Supplemental road log no. 1: Villa Grove to Bonanza
— New Mexico Geological Society Road Logging Committee, pp. 70-72. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-22.70
Supplemental road log no. 2: Del Norte to Summer Coon Volcanic area and return
— New Mexico Geological Society Road Logging Committee, pp. 73-77. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-22.73
Supplemental road log no. 3: Fort Garland to Romeo, via San Luis, San Acacio and Manassa
— New Mexico Geological Society Road Logging Committee, pp. 78-81. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-22.78
Supplemental road log no. 4: Chama, New Mexico, to Antonito, Colorado
— New Mexico Geological Society Road Logging Committee, pp. 82-87. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-22.82

Papers:

The Great Sand Dunes of southern Colorado (1.51 MB PDF)
— Ross B. Johnson, pp. 123-128. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-22.123
Flora of the San Luis Valley (927 KB PDF)
— Hobart N. Dixon, pp. 133-136. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-22.133
Fauna of the San Luis Valley (768 KB PDF)
— Veryl F. Keen, pp. 137-139. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-22.137
Pennsylvanian and Permian stratigraphy, tectonism, and history, northern Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado (4.71 MB PDF)
— Richard H. DeVoto, Frederick A. Peel, and Walter H. Pierce, pp. 141-163. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-22.141
Stratigraphic relations between Bonanza Center and adjacent parts of the San Juan volcanic field, south-central Colorado (2.00 MB PDF)
— Dennis L. Bruns, Rudy C. Epis, Robert J. Weimer, and Thomas A. Steven, pp. 183-190. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-22.183
The San Luis valley-a land of paradox (930 KB PDF)
— Robert H. Buchanan, pp. 243-245. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-22.243
Creede shale fossils (626 KB PDF)
— Thompson, J. Robert, Jr., pp. 247-248. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-22.247
Historical sketch of Fort Garland (885 KB PDF)
— William Hoagland, pp. 301-303. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-22.301
Narrow gauge over Cumbres (3.37 MB PDF)
— Gordon Chappell, pp. 305-319. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-22.305

Recommended Guidebook Citation:

  1. James, H. L.; [ed.], 1971, San Luis Basin (Colorado), New Mexico Geological Society, Guidebook, 22nd Annual Field Conference, 340 pp. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-22