Pros:
Feather-soft pine needles fanning from the limbs of tall, mature evergreens create an organic roof over the tranquil woods of Reservoir Hill, the site of Pagosa Springs' new top-notch disc golf course. The trunks of the healthy pines establish an ideal maze for disc throwing. On each hole there is a designated fairway (or in some cases a curving hallway of tree trunks), but creative players will be able to carve out alternate routes to the basket. Lush green fairways in the forest clearings serve as fine resting places for well-thrown discs. Elevation changes will test your arm and gauge your depth perception, while tricky angles and clever pin placements will sort out your arsenal of throws. Quality permanent baskets, signs displaying the layout of each hole, reworked tee boxes and a meticulous job of tree pruning are some of the fresh amenities visitors can enjoy as the result of the efforts spent by the course's caretakers. In the distance, steam rises from pools of hot springs. The atmosphere is unrivaled.
The front 9 will lead you in and out of the forest at different angles to keep things interesting. The scale of difficulty fluctuates, but most of the tight fairways offer a right or left line, so you won't feel trapped into to throwing a forced shot. If you strike a tree, however, you could find yourself wedged into a tight spot wishing you'd practiced that tomahawk throw a few more times. From the turning point at hole #10's elevated big-arm drive, you work your way back down into the gladed trees near the beginning of the course. Holes 14 - 18 are a fun forested bunch with a grassy floor, that plays out and back, ending at the road to the parking lot.
Cons:
From your car, a brief but steep climb of about a quarter mile awaits you. (It's somewhat fitting that such a pristine course can only be reached by means of some physical exertion). The hillside you just ascended comes into play on the left of hole #3's fairway, where a disc on its edge can be out of sight in a matter of seconds, hurdling some 250 feet downhill all the way to the parking lot. With all its pleasantries, there is no restroom or running water, so start your round with that in mind.
Other Thoughts:
The course's proximity to beautiful downtown Pagosa Springs makes it quite convenient, whether you're staying in town or just passing through. By its own merit, Reservoir Hill is a superb mountain disc golf course, even when compared to the more reputable giants of its kind, e.g. Beaver Ranch/Conifer and CMC Glenwood.