The San Luis Valley Outdoor Report for the week of Oct. 15, 2025

Young woman in a gray sweater stands and smiles in front of leaves.

We’re joined by Kaitlyn Fletcher from the San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council. As the communications director for SLVEC, Fletcher has an entire Valley to learn and focus on. This year marks 25 years of dedicated leadership at SLVEC as well as the designation of wilderness areas and the national designation of the Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Fletcher and host Marty Jones talk about the Trifecta Celebration happening in November and the impact to public lands from the attempts to privatize millions of acres from the Trump Administration. 

Tune in here, or wherever you get your podcasts. We hope you enjoy.

OUTDOOR CONDITIONS

The Rio Grande peaked at 7,180 cfs and the reservoirs and canals of the San Luis Valley all took in diverted water from the historic October rains. In fact it is the Valley’s canal system and the ditch riders who manage the canals that helped move the water through the river system.

The Conejos at Mogote, Alamosa River above Terrace Reservoir and the Rio Grande at Del Norte all saw seasonal high flows from the heavy flows on the San Juan River into the Rio Grande.

La Niña is still looking weak for the season. But as October has shown, weather can happen.

OUTDOOR FIELD REPORT

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

A TRIFECTA CELEBRATION

San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council has a “Trifecta Celebration” planned for Saturday, Nov. 8. It’s been 25 years since the passage of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Act; 25 years since the creation of a category of public lands called National Conservation Lands; and 25 years of council leadership by Christine Canaly. Now that’s a trifecta worth celebrating. The event is from 4-8 p.m. at Dunes Valley Distillery in Mosca. Let SLV Ecosystem Council know you’re coming by registering HERE.

TROUT UNLIMITED REGULAR MEETING

SLV Trout Unlimited will hold its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 6:30 p.m. The location is Lindo Jalisco Restaurant located at 1019 6th St. in Alamosa. The guest is Mick Daniel from SLV GO!, who will speak about wilderness safety and first aid. The program will be primarily about safety in the backcountry. As always, the meeting is open to the public.

HALLOWEEN BOO-CYCLE PARADE

Bicycle riders are invited to get festive at Alamosa’s inaugural Halloween “Boo-cycle” Parade. This spirited, costumed community bike ride aims to bring residents together for an afternoon filled with fun, fitness and Halloween celebrations.

Participants are encouraged to showcase their creativity by wearing Halloween costumes as they embark on a ride through the community. In addition to the parade, the event will feature free popcorn and cotton candy, prizes and family-friendly entertainment.

The event is on Friday, Oct. 31, from 2-4 p.m. The costume contest is at 2:30 p.m. 

The ride will start at the Alamosa Rec Center, 2222 Old Sanford Rd at 3 p.m. It takes a route from the Rec Center through Downtown Alamosa and back. Following the event, find the Alamosa Police Department’s Trunk-or-Treat event at the National Guard Armory and free ice skating from 4-8 p.m. at the Alamosa Ice Rink.

OUTDOOR NEWS

The remnants of Typhoon Halong have battered the west coast of Alaska over the weekend as devastating floods and hurricane-force wind resulted in the death of at least one person. Two people were declared missing as of Monday, while more than 50 people and some dogs had been rescued.  

According to the Associated Press, Capt. Christopher Culpepper, a U.S. Coast Guard official, described the situation in the villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok as “absolute devastation.”

There will be a long road to recovery, officials said, but the situation is becoming dire as native Alaskans prepare for winter. In addition to housing concerns, the AP reported, residents impacted by the system across the region reported power outages, a lack of running water, subsistence foods stocked in freezers ruined and damage to home-heating stoves. In remote communities where people store food from hunting and fishing to help make it through the season, the winter could prove to be especially dangerous. 

In the Catalonia area of Spain, more than 19 inches of rain fell over the weekend resulting in powerful flooding and erosion along the coasts and rivers.

POACHED ELK IN GSD

The National Park Service is seeking the public’s help in identifying an elk poaching suspect following an incident at the Great Sand Dunes National Park in September.

The incident occurred in the Hudson drainage area of the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve near Mosca around Sept. 9-10. Features of the suspect and vehicle believed to be involved are:

  • A dark-colored Ram pickup truck.
  • An approximately 6-foot Caucasian male, brown hair, close trimmed beard, (unknown age) wearing camouflage, a ball cap, and a backpack.
  • The subject may have carried a compound bow with bright fletching and two elk antlers (4–5 points, no skull).

Anyone in the area at the time or with information that can assist in the investigation should call 719-589-5807 or email GRSA_Law_Enforcement@nps.gov. Tips can be anonymous. 

TRUE PENITENCE RECAP

It was the biggest year yet for the annual True Penitence Climbing Festival in Penitente Canyon. More than 140 climbers took part in the climbing competition and festivities in the canyon. You can read more about it and view the gallery from Alamosa Citizen photographers Ryan Scavo and Owen Woods HERE on AlamosaCitizen.com.