Hey eveeryone! My girlfriend and I (both 30s, from NYC) are planning a 10-day Colorado trip in mid-September and would love some feedback on our itinerary. We're flying in/out of Denver and have already booked the Durango-Silverton train for Sept 14.

The rough plan:

• Day 1: Land in Denver, drive to Salida (overnight)
• Days 2-5: Base in Durango (Mesa Verde, local activities, train day)
• Days 6-7: Base in Ridgway (Ouray activities, jeep tour, hot springs)
• Days 8-9: Telluride (hiking, gondola, fall colors)
• Day 10: Drive back to Denver, fly out

Specific activities we're planning:

• Mesa Verde: Both Cliff Palace and Balcony House ranger tours in one day
• Ouray Perimeter Trail (the 5.4-mile loop around town)
• Jeep tour to Anima Forks ghost town
• Ouray and Durango hot springs
• Bridal Veil Falls hike in Telluride
• Last Dollar Road scenic drive for fall colors
• Million Dollar Highway drive from Silverton to Ouray
• Kenosha Pass for sunrise aspen viewing

Questions:

• Does the geographic flow make sense or are we doing too much driving?
• Is mid-September good timing for fall colors?
• Are we being too ambitious with Mesa Verde (both tours same day)?
• Is the Ouray Perimeter Trail worth it, or should we do something else?
• Any "must-do" activities we're missing in these areas?
• Restaurant recommendations for the smaller towns?

We love hiking and quirky/off-beat experiences. Not super into rock climbing but we're pretty active. This is our first time in SW Colorado so any local insights would be amazing!

Thanks in advance!!

Yes, the flow makes sense; just be aware it's a long drive between Telluride and Denver on your last day, over six hours without stops.

Fall colors vary year to year and from elevation to elevation, but third week of September is generally safe. You might be a wee bit early for full color, but it's really impossible to say.

I've hiked the parameter trail in Ouray and have enjoyed it. The Thai Chili restaurant there is good.

I suggest you have lunch at James Ranch Grill near Durango. I also recommend Hermosa cafe for coffee and RPG wraps for lunch (tucked away in the 'mall', limited hours). You'll find good ice cream at Cream Bean Berry.

Hikes abound; I can recommend Spud Lake, but you need a high clearance vehicle to get to the trailhead. There's also a hike directly across from the turn off to Spud Lake, as you drive up the pass towards Silverton, I'll have to look up the name and directions for you.

Kate's is good for breakfast in Ridgway.

I've not taken the tours at Mesa Verde, so can't comment on them, but do allow yourself plenty of time to get from the park entrance to the tours, as it's a rather long drive once you enter the park.

https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvis...tingaround.htm

Where do you plan to stay in Durango and Ridgway?

Enjoy our beautiful state!

Here it is:

https://www.durangotrails.org/trails...n%20the%20area.

And other options in Durango (the Animas Mountain trail and the Colorado Trail are excellent):

https://www.durangotrails.org/hike/

Looks like you have done your homework, should be a good trip. Listen to Melnq8 said, she is an expert.

I think doing both tours on the same day at Mesa Verde will be fine, but note the surprisingly long drive times as mel said. Not to add even more but look into the status of Wetherill Mesa tours. In the past they have opened it in late September for special tours even though it officially closes on the 1st. (But maybe not this year.) The Long House there is pretty cool.

I'd be concerned about driving all the way back to DIA from Telluride the same day of a flight. You could consider leaving the day before and making it a leisurely drive, perhaps stopping in the afternoon at Great Sand Dunes for a couple hours, then push on to Pueblo (pleasant riverwalk), or CO Springs (beautiful but crowded Garden of the Gods). Just an option, especially in case of unexpected weather event.

Also, the end of September is prime time for the fall sandhill crane migration in Monte Vista, truly a world class wildlife event, if that has any interest for you. However you have to be at the right spot at dusk so need to spend the night nearby. I can give you more info if you are interested.

I have always stayed in Far View lodge when doing tours at Mesa Verde because as Melnqu8 said it can take a long time to get from the VC near the base of the Mesa to the staging area for Cliff Palace tours. Do make sure you give yourself enough time.

I really like Salida which is an old mining town. Be sure to eat at the Boathouse Cantina on the deck above the clear Arkansas River. Lots of fun.