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Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley Curse
By PK | July 22, 2008
The French Trappers were the first to come to Steamboat back in the 1880s and they called the area, ‘Big Bend’, mainly because the Yampa River turns west at this point in the valley. Later after hearing the chugging of the natural springs sounding like a steamboat, Steamboat Springs was born. Steamboat evolved from gold mining in Hahn’s Peak to today’s sheep and cattle ranching, wheat and hay farming, coal mining in Hayden and tourism.
Of course, the Europeans and French Trappers weren’t the first people who habited the Yampa Valley. The Yampakita Utes, using horses, traveled here from their winter camps to the high mountain pastures in the summer where hunting and fishing were good and lush vegetation provided grains and roots for food.
The Yampa River, the town of Yampa, and the Yampakita Utes were justly named fron the Yampa plant, which was a staple of the Ute’s diet.
The Yampa Plant has many uses. The root of the Yampa Plant can be eaten raw or cooked, including steaming, boiling or frying or by drying and grinding them into a powder to use as porridge or cakes. Also called the ‘wild carrot’ and has a lot of carotene. It also has many medicinal uses such as a laxative or diuretic, helps your liver, intestines, and bladder to detoxify. A tea made from the Yampa Plant will help coughs and sore throats and was administered by some elders to horses with the same problems. But be careful before you run out and pick some of this for yourself. The Yampa Plant closely resembles poisonous hemlock.
Many teepees, like this one over a hundred years ago, is still seen in Steamboat today in celebration of Steamboat’s Yampakita Ute’s existence.
The Yampa Valley Curse is said to have come from the Yampakita Utes. ‘That once you come to Yampa Valley, you will always want to come back.’ Perhaps the curse originated because the Yampakita Ute, having always returned to Yampa Valley for the summer, missed a season returning and ill-fate became them, thus the curse was born. No one knows for sure as it remains a mystery.
You can hike one of the Ute’s many trails all around Colorado. Sounds like a trip for Dalton and I. Just remember to have your Habitat Sticker, a GPS especially if you decide to leave the trails, water, snacks, a comfortable backpack, maps, first aid kit, flashlight in case you get caught after dark, insect repellent (or you’ll spend too much time swatting and not looking), cell phone, and wear comfortable hiking shoes.
A Colorado Wildlife Habitat Stamp is required to enter state wildlife areas and state trust lands. It costs $10.25 per person except for individuals under the age of 18 or over 65 and certain other individuals. This stamp covers the cost of Colorado Search and Rescue Fee. Remember…Leave No Trace.
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Topics: "Post Cards From the West", Colorado, Steamboat Springs |
6 Responses to “Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley Curse”
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July 22nd, 2008 at 1:15 pm
I just wanted to say that I really enjoy your blog, and especially the history that you include with your posts. I had the extreme pleasure as a kid to spend time in Aspen for a couple of summers. Colorado is a truly beautiful state.
Keep up the good work, and enjoy your travels!
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Great blog PK!!!
I grew up in Steamboat! Third generation Coloradoan, I also spent a lot of time on my grandparents ranch in the Collegiate Peaks between Buena Vista and Salida. Six years ago I traded the Rockies for the Sierras and now I am in Tahoe. I have a couple blogs you might enjoy perusing:
http://wheretheheckareyou.blogspot.com is a blog of my journeys
http://tahoetale.blogspot.com is one I recently started about Lake Tahoe
Cheers! MrBill
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:30 am
I came across this blog the other day and you got some great info here - thanks.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Thank you Mr. Bill, liked your ‘wheretheheckareyou’ blog…made me smile. I could really see my sons saying the same thing to me. I bookmarked you…I’ll be back.
To Import From China…thank you for the compliment. Hope you’ll be back again for a visit.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
To Lala…I am cursed. I visited here back in April, and now live here. Dang, curse..lol I am truly enjoying exploring this beautiful state. Thank you for visiting.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Hi, cool site, good writing