photos by Todd Newcomer

As summer continues to shower the Four Corners with rays of sunshine and penetrating heat, welcome relief lies just a short distance north of Durango. With the small rise in elevation, the rush of cool mountain streams and the picturesque background of the Weminuche, Vallecito Reservoir remains a summer oasis for lowlanders ready to beat the heat. With plenty of open water and fishing to be had, Lake Vallecito offers anglers and water craft enthusiasts a boat load of opportunities to rev up and cool down. The shoreline and surrounding mountains offer the water weary a variety of alternatives including miles of hiking trails and the opportunity to saddle up for a trail ride. So, as the sun continues to penetrate Durango's downtown sidewalks, a day of welcomed relief is just a few short miles up Florida.