The Most Sacred Place in America is Tucked Away WHERE??

In this video I explore the environs of an obscure little mountain town that has been called the most unusual/weird/quirky in the Rockies.
DATE FILMED: Early April 2024
► Adventure Know-How: adventureknowhow.com/
► The SUV RVing Website: suvrving.com/
► The SUV RVing Facebook Group: / suvrving
GPS COORDINATES, etc.
** Crestone Zigurrat: 37.917984, -105.669074
** Tashi Gomang Stupa: 37.922096, -105.638700
** Naga water shrine: 37.934144, -105.643228
** Maha Lakshmi Temple and Ashram: 37.953804, -105.661147
** Padmasambhava Stupa: 37.926189, -105.671017
** ** Jangchub Chörten Stupa (Yeshe Rangsal Stupa): 37.972558, -105.681239
** Dorje Yudrönma Shrine: 37.973918, -105.681846
** Crestone: 37.994241, -105.699095
** San Isabel Trailhead: 38.034378, -105.717078
** Campsite: 38.03145, -105.71822
VIDEO LINKS
** Stupa info: kttg.org/staging/tashi-gomang...
** Mt. Kailas photo: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_K...
** "How do you start a town?" video: www.rmpbs.org/blogs/news/baca...
OTHER LINKS
** Gear I use: suvrving.com/gear
** SUV RVing the Book: amzn.to/2SUrtme (Affiliate link)
** The blog: suvrving.com
** Instagram: / suvrving
** My other KZbin channel: / tenkaraaddict
#adventure #travel #camping

[@markg3025]

Tristan Congrats on passing 200K subscribers you are the hardest working content producer on KZbin. Well deserved

[@SUVRVing]

Thank you!

[@pcatful]

Add to that! These are the greatest videos! Always something fascinating and always full of good information and knowledgeable insight!

[@darrylk808]

Tristan, you always go to interesting locations that I never knew existed. I've driven all over the US, and when you show the locations, I see that I've driven near them but never knew. Gotta stop to smell the roses. I'm glad you're doing these videos.

[@barbaramadson3538]

I camped at Great Sand Dunes NP a few years ago and had no idea this spiritual area existed. Thanks for sharing! Love your content!

[@IFSTherapist]

Thank you so much for this. Very very familiar with Crestone. Used to live in Boulder for 14 years. My heart is aching. Midwest. has not been the right place for my soul the past 17 yrs. Right for other reasons, but that time is past now and it is time to go home. Thank you so much for the reminder. Really appreciate all the work you did to make this video. Many Blessings to you!

[@anoushkaperkert933]

I live in Crestone and this was a wonderful compilation of things to see here. Your description of the area is right on.

[@1ACL]

I live there-- you did a nice, respectful job! Sorry to have missed you!

[@SUVRVing]

You live in a fascinating place! Thank you for watching.

[@1ACL]

Come back and hike, then go to Hooper pool !😁

[@drcbeartooths]

A terrific Saturday morning trek. Thanks again for bringing us along, and for the info. Safe travels, young man.

[@Rexodus014]

Thank you so much, Tristan for sharing and explaining your visits to those beautiful stupas, shrines and temple. Absolutely interesting and wonderful. Thank you for including those in your travels.

[@deborahm6036]

What an amazing video! I truly delighted in it. I spent 10 days in the San Louis Valley, and visited the mountains, falls, and sand dunes. I had no idea any of what you shared was so close to where I stayed. Truly special! I would have loved to have visited all the places you shared. Thank you for letting more people about these hidden gems.

[@dr.maturin4648]

Fascinating! The incredible journey of the first Europeans to travel from what is now Florida through the Southwest and back to Mexico City, mostly on foot starting in 1528 is an epic adventure rarely taught in schools. A good book on the subject is "A Land So Strange" by Andres Resendez. But I did not know that the King of Spain had made this land grant to the descendants of the expedition leader: Anvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca. Thanks for another great episode!

[@Lois5650]

Loved this! Have visited the area numerous times but didn’t explore as deeply as you did. Learning the history is a bonus. Can’t wait to go back now! Thanks ☺️

[@warnerknobe7911]

Tristan, I’m a fan for life! Your videos are well researched and planned and never fail to entertain and educate. Having lived in Colorado in the 70’s and 80’s I’ve been to virtually all the spots you’ve shown us. You do a great job of presenting things as they are!

[@jessiehead6525]

I just love how you find quirky offbeat things to show us. And that you educate us, as well.

[@grandwest11]

Wish I'd of run into you while you were where I live. Well done video explaining this area to your viewers. I would like to mention that the people who want to form a town here are people who do not appreciate a POA/HOA and want to do whatever they want to and not have to honor covenants, adhere to building guide lines or pay annual dues. Most of the people that live in the Baca Grande moved here because there is a POA/HOA.We do not want a town formed. It's a very small minority of deadbeat residents that want to form a town thinking the POA will magically disappear leaving them free to trash this place like so many other places in this very poor but beautiful county.

[@ChrisWorksCreative]

Love the San Luis Valley. It was a trip to visit Great Sand Dunes and Salida that ended up inspiring my move to Colorado back in 2016. I've since moved on from Colorado, but it holds a special place it my heart and continues to inspire me to this day. I never knew about the spiritual monuments near Crestone. Another reason for me to come back for another visit. The Sangre de Cristo range is beautiful as are the San Juans.

[@kazheadrest3626]

Really nice video. In the late 80's a very good friend of mine moved to Crestone from Corrales NM. He is an artist and built an amazing free form home there. It was interesting to see the community and learn about the history spiritual significance of the area. Thank you.

[@sharondavis8003]

Another super Tristan Trip where you show us the most unusual & fascinating places that no one knows about. Loved your hike along the water & was just wondering how long your footprints will stay in the snow🤔. ❤👍🏻🙋🏼‍♀️

[@rosettathompson2283]

What an absolutely fascinating video! My list of "must see" places grows longer with each week's adventures. Thank you Tristan! ❤

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks! This really is a fascinating place. I'm glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@lorisposato1662]

Thank you Tristan. I enjoy the scenic locations, tips on car camping, and background historical and/or geological knowledge you share in your videos. This is what keeps me watching! This morning, this Coloradan, elementary Colorado history teacher, car camping mamma learned even more about the San Luis Valley through you and your content. In late March was my most recent visit to the valley & Sand Dunes. I plan on returning soon when Medano Creek starts flowing! I had not realized there were so many spiritual & religious sites. I look forward to visiting those as well. Along with a gorgeous hike to stretch my legs too! But Tristan, shhhhh, don't give away too much about our beauty and little gems...... it's really crowded here come lovely weather time!

[@lindajcope]

I enjoyed this video and also learned a lot. I had no idea that all this existed. Love how you change things up and give us so much information. I am of the age where I can't travel to these places and I appreciate learning about this big country of ours. Your videos are always very informative and fun. Keep up the great work of bringing them to us.

[@marilynbennett9868]

We've watched your videos for a couple of years now. We liked this one. We have meditated for 45 and 50 years so it was our favorite.

[@jamibeaumont3565]

6:47 I love watching your videos! You travel to the areas I would absolutely love to see. Each place you visit you share your knowledge of the area. I appreciate your sharing of the different people who shared the area. Especially us, the indigenous peoples, thank you.🤎🪶

[@joecutro7318]

Super interesting content, Tristan! 👍🏼 I learned a lot and appreciate the respect, reverence and regard you gave to these sites. Awesome. 🙏☮️👍🏼

[@TOLHouse]

What a lovely video! My favorite parts, as a Zen Buddhist, were the visits to the sacred places. I was impressed by your reverence and love of the land.

[@scottkirklin7154]

I seriously learn something new (sometimes more than one thing) with every single episode! Thank you for sharing this wonderful location and the teachings of so many different faiths.

[@M.Campbell]

What an interesting and great place. I've added it to my growing list of "must see" places. I probably won't ever get to Nepal but this is a little taste of it, and other places. Thank you for sharing it!

[@rtreee1]

Having built a home and lived in the Baca for 14 years (my wife and I have since moved on to Northwest Arkasas, where we live on a beautiful lake), I can vouch for the magic of this place. Thanks for visiting it and sharing a bit of its unique charm. P.S My house was only a couple of hundred yards from the Padmasambhava Stupa. I love your videos. Being 77 years old, I am only doing 3-5 mile hikes these days, so I appreciate getting to piggyback on your longer hikes. Thank you!

[@s.crawford2987]

Loved it ! I always enjoy hearing all about the places you visit , your research/ knowledge is so very much appreciated!

[@lazyassian]

Love this. I live in Colorado and you just motivated me to go visit Crestone again. Congratulations on hitting 200K! You earned this a long time ago and it's great to see it come to fruition!

[@asktheanimals]

So fun to see your footage of a place I lived for 8 years. Thanks! I miss being so close to the ceeeks & trails. I hope you got to see Medano Creek do its cool surge thing in Great Sand Dunes NP.. You got the spring winds, but you were lucky to miss mosquito season.

[@ibgoho]

The San Luis Valley is also a hot spot of UFO / UAP activity. It is the area of the first documented animal mutilation case when "Snippy" the horse was found dead with strange laser like incisions and parts removed. There's a great book that researches many accounts of weirdness there called "Mysterious Valley" by Christopher O'Brien. Look into it, very fascinating!

[@isttra]

Really interesting video. Thanks for the historical information as well. You always do such a nice job sharing about the places you visit. 😊

[@ijohnsonramos]

Thanks so much for that video Tristan! Love it so much, it reminded me of a similar place I visited in Sedona, Arizona last year. The sensation of self awareness in a place so quiet, peaceful and with a feeling of mystical energy is so mind blowing! Definitely I'm planning to visit that place and spend a week or so there to recharge my spiritual batteries! 🙌🙌🙌 😊😊😊!!! Many blessings to you and your lovely wife and keep up with the great work you're doing with your videos. I'm always looking forward to see them. ❤❤❤

[@skybluepink998]

Loved this video Tristan!

[@carolpadgett8618]

Thanks for showing us so many wonderful places. Your respect for the many various spiritual devotionals is honorable . I look forward to your weekly video and always pleased. Keep exploring and sharing with us.

[@NoOverhead]

It's such a beautiful area, but will always give me flashbacks of a time I got my van stuck in the BLM area in Crestone and had a nine hour recovery lol. But, multiple people from the town came to help, and as bad of a situation I had put myself into, the people there are absolutely magnificent. Great video as always, and congrats on 200K!!

[@scubaval08]

Just want to let you know that my daughter & I are in South Central Colorado & heading to this place in our vans this week! Thanks to your inspiring video!

[@wendyjo9267]

Amazing video. Thank you so much!

[@lareekline8232]

I lived in CO for 35 years and thought I got around but never heard of these shrines, etc.! I did know Crestone was known for its UFO activity. Great video! Thanks.

[@elyssethekraken4143]

Really enjoyed this video! Thanks for sharing

[@lilysgma2852]

I love this video! The history, the "towns", nature and the spiritual aspect of it make for a great video. Thank you!

[@jojohnson27]

Loved this video!❤ Keep it up!

[@annhysell6064]

Tristan, what an awesome video! An area I would love to visit now, although I had no idea such a place existed prior. Thank you for taking us along. Be well.

[@Coloradohiker658]

This is on the list. Thanks

[@alwayswandering52531]

This was very cool can’t wait to see the full hike

[@Barley150]

Thanks, Tristan, for this cool visit to a place I'd love to see.

[@littleSallyJo]

What a lovely experience you have given us! Many thanks!

[@carolineray2155]

Loved this content! Thanks for taking us along on this exploration. Nature and Nurture!

[@suzied5921]

Thanks for all the history. Fascinating😎

[@Kralphrn]

Such great videos!

[@jerrymestas1231]

Well done!! Love it👍🏼

[@davidpankoke7512]

San Luis Valley always seem to amaze me. I came across it about 8 years ago and have been back about 4 times always learning a little more. There are actually quite a few things in this valley that most don't know about, from alligators, the Great Sand Dunes, UFOs and tales of witches. It is intriguing that on the opposite side of the valley is the San Juan Catholic Spiritual Center with its Rosary Walk and Penitente Canyon with the painting on the rock wall of the "Virgin of Guadalup" (which I just found was recently repainted). Thank you again for helping to enlighten my future adventures.

[@lynnef3297]

😃👍 Wow! We really enjoyed this video about these great places. What a cool place to visit. Thanks for sharing.

[@cj-cw7wi]

Nourishment for the soul. Thank you.

[@virginiajorgensen8614]

This is very interesting. Thanks for sharing Tristan

[@GoingNoWhereFast]

Awesome video. I need to visit this place in my travels!

[@anndebaldo7381]

Love it! Really interesting to see it all. Had not idea about their existence. Love your videos.

[@bettyvanwhite6745]

Think Im gonna check out some of these this Summer. Thanks! Really fun

[@richard_n]

Great episode, I need to put those sights on my bucket list.

[@allenjones5960]

Great video!

[@joanc7422]

So, sooo interesting. What a wonderful, spiritual place. Thanks for sharing.

[@gailbutler483]

Ziggurats, Stupas, Ashrams, and Temples - Holiness to the Lord, etc. are wonderful places to gather and honor the sacred. In e end, perhaps, that place, that center, that realization of where each of us individually encounters/attunes with God - the Divine - is the holiest site...the heart is after all, wherein is found the Kingdom of Heaven. Thank you for sharing these holy spaces and places that en-soul and enshrine that inner impulse to seek inwardly and outwardly the Divine strand that connects us to All that Is. The value in holy structures may be that they "call" to us to seek within even as they elevate the ground and space upon which they've been built.

[@freedomdove]

Interesting place. Thanks for sharing, Tristan. 🙂

[@DavidBrown-pp5tt]

Thank you!!

[@bettybrigance6784]

Wow, I had no idea this place existed... Thanks for sharing

[@johnmcdonald1306]

You seem to always hit it home with me with your explorations at the right time showing me things that I would love to visit because I had a dream last night of that place which I don't understand but just figure it's a God Thing which I have experienced a lot and not sure what the meaning is so I have to meditate and pray for understanding and direction. I always love your videos and educational presentations. The world needs more people like you

[@robertsellers1153]

superb footage!

[@cchoi108]

Thanks for showing us Crestone. I had heard about it for decades but I didn't know the town itself was so dinky and rustic lol. Very cute. The Hudson Valley in New York is another dharma hotspot and there are stupas there as well.

[@therookeryvanlife5612]

Religious-wise, I was creeped out by those shrines but someone put a lot of time and skill into building them. Congrats on 200K subscribers.

[@razzberry5698]

Glad you found Crestone! It is a unique place. There's some good free camp spots up that road with the old hardware store. The actual campground is on the creek, but there's a fee. Fun fact: Shirley McClane has property in the Grande.

[@GaiaGuide]

That other Forest Service campground on the creek is beautiful and has fire rings for fire safety, and bathrooms, picnic tables, and is right by the creek. Be VERY fire aware here, as the trees have very flammable sap.

[@razzberry5698]

@@GaiaGuide Space 3 was my favorite.

[@1ACL]

Shirley wanted to build a "spiritual retreat center ", but the lady who has the non-profit, Hane Strong, who is the one to give the land to the spiritual centers declined to accommodate her. All the Centers are from bonified religions with actual lineages which can be traced back and authenticated. Shirley's trip-- not so much!

[@razzberry5698]

@@1ACL Thank you. I didn't know that. I left in '97 after Roadkill Cafe closed.

[@johnlyngdal8601]

Your time is excellent, as I'll be traveling to Alamosa in a couple weeks and I now have an expanded list of things to do and see. Thank You!

[@markmaryanderson1856]

Thanks again for your beautiful and insightful work. The life and adventures of Cabeza de Vaca is the most fascinating story of first European contact with North American natives in the early 1500s. The audio book of his story is available free on KZbin. You would find it very worthwhile listening. Thanks again,,,,Grubstake on the Big Island

[@genekied]

Another pin dropped for exploration. I don't know how I missed it when I lived in Leadville for 10 years, I did go to Crestone and the dunes but never the Baca. Thanks for your efforts!

[@brkaz5864]

Always enjoy your videos. This one was wonderfully enlightening.

[@ronangevine4778]

Morning Tristan, I enjoy watching your Saturday morning videos. Very cool spot you visited this week. Keep up the great work my friend. 😎

[@markmark2080]

The greater San Luis Valley is one of a dozen large regions in the Colorado mountain wonderlands that one could expend a lifetime studying and exploring. There is much obscure history from the north end all the way to the south end. For those interested I would STRONGLY recommend a book 'Life of an Ordinary Women' by Anne Ellis, dealing with the north end. A drive along the East side of the Sangre de Cristo range through the Wet Mountain Valley is one of the most beautiful drives in the nation...There are towns one could drive though and not notice, but stopping and spending a day and night, visiting with locals, can create better memories than the well known resort towns... Cheers

[@thinker2328]

Super cool places!

[@sueboobarela1669]

Really liked this adventure. Will share this with my sister as she is Japanese Buddhist, Off the subject, I really like it when you include geology facts about the areas you visit. You would make a great professor.

[@cherylmiller-day5932]

Wow, what a surprise, and fun adventure.! I'd love to experience those communities. Thank you Tristen 👌

[@ceceliaroberts1475]

❤What an enlightening video! 😉

[@jacobmalkin2612]

Love the research you did for this video, very interesting! Both the history of the area and info on the community and religions present were interesting

[@LuckyLarry]

Arlee, Montana. Garden of One Thousand Buddahs. The setting and vibe is beyond special.

[@larryreno5619]

Outstanding presentation, Enjoyed every second of it.

[@RLeeVanCamps]

Thank you for the fascinating and informative video😊

[@DeerheartStudioArts]

enjoyed this vid so much! Glad to know about the community and the Tibetan stupas! 🦌💌👍❤️🙏

[@tompfeiffer2755]

Very interesting and informative video. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

[@patfeline1895]

Wonderful adventure!

[@terryh3689]

Tristan, if you like Nepal, you would love Bhutan. I had considered visiting Tibet or Nepal, but after researching Bhutan, I chose to travel there. It is largely Buddhist and looks similar to Nepal. The culture in Bhutan remains intact. The people are very friendly and speak English. The remote villages are the most interesting to visit. I hope you will read about Bhutan and consider a visit.

[@kwaste]

Thanks for the education on the unique part of Colorado. Good job.

[@tomwestbrook]

Lovely. I’ve been to the San Luis valley a bunch of times and never knew those places were there. And me a former Zen practitioner (but in Kansas and Minnesota, not CO). Thanks for showing all these.

[@richardb.7054]

This has me excited to stop and spend some time visiting the area there someday soon.

[@robertross2596]

That was a worthy detour & shows great respect for some of the religions of the world. That small temple seemed like a blend of Asian and Navajo architecture!

[@wyliedank3868]

Thank you for the interesting video. I love the spiritual aspect and will plan a trip soon. Just beautiful.

[@karakoppanyi3845]

This was so interesting. I never knew this area with these spiritual places existed.

[@craftytraveler9238]

Thanks for the video. Beautiful area. We went to Great Sand Dunes in 2021 and had snow in early May. I videoed the sand dunes with snow on them. I didn't know about those shrines were there.

[@sacredstonecards9051]

I enjoy everywhere you go. 😊

[@scubaval08]

Oh! My daughter & I are headed that way in our vans. Will have to check this out!

[@didgegirl6]

Cool trek! I was in Crestone years ago and remember a pizza place on the road into town. It was some of the best pizza I ever had. Unfortunately it's no longer there. I also remember spending the night in my car. I'd never seen so many stars in my life as I saw there. It was pure magic!

[@MomCat6000]

I had seriously considered buying a lot in the Baca Grande for retirement since it has all the utilities - electric water and sewer - already set up but after researching forums and reviews, I decided to look elsewhere. The wind blows very strongly across the valley towards Crestone… Which is how the great Sand dunes were formed except now the dust is mixed with all the pesticides and chemicals used for the agricultural fields in the valley. Also the spring snow runoff leaves a lot of standing water and the summers are terrible with hordes of mosquitoes! And then last but not least, the interpersonal struggles between the locals are concerning as well.

[@afortunatefool777]

This was a delightful trip. So much beauty, it's breathtaking. 👍✌🌞

[@lisarichards3853]

Wow! Very nice.