Highway of Legends
Dakota Wall, CO

Dakota Wall was formed millions of years ago as sand settled to the bottom of an ancient lake and became rock. The earth folded and moved, and the sandstone on the bottom of the lake was pushed vertical. The Cuchara River created the gap in the wall over the years.

"Many years ago," according to an Indian legend recorded in the Mexico City archives, "before the first white man stepped ashore, even before the alliance of the three kingdoms, Alcolhua, Aztec, and Tepance, gold was already an eagerly sought article. But it was not coined in those days, nor was it used as barter; it was offered to the deities only, and with it the shrines of Huitzilopochtli were decked. But when Nezhuatcoyotl reigned in splendor at Tezeuco, the gods of the Mountain Huajatoll became envious of the magnificence of his court and they placed demons on the double mountain and forbade all men further approach."

When Coronado returned to Mexico after his search for Quivera, he left behind three monks and others of the group to begin a colony. Two of the monks tried to bring Christianity to the Indians; both died for their efforts. The third monk, Juan de la Cruz, found the rich gold and silver mine of the Indian legend. He claimed to have overcome the demons of the mountains. Indians of the Pecos region reported that their people were compelled by torture to work in the mine, bringing out gold and silver ore. When the Indian slaves had served their purpose, they were all killed. Juan de la Cruz and his followers loaded a number of pack animals with the ore and left for Mexico. They were never seen again. Gold nuggets that might have been part of their treasure were found later scattered along an ancient trail.