okoshi2002

Hi all

We are contemplating a trip in mid to late Sept to this area. We would fly in and out of La Plata Airport. Our goal is to see fall colors in the area and do some hiking.
Please give some advice about where we might concentrate our days- thinking about spending first two days in Durango, spend next two or three days in Ouray, on to Telluride for a night or two, then Mesa Verde for three nights.

Is this circle drive reasonable and worthwhile ? The other option would be to spend more days in Ouray , skip Telluride and come back down to Mesa Verde via Durango, with the 3 nights in Mesa Verde.

I appreciate any advice you can pass along. Thanks !

Kathva

We stayed in Ouray for 5 nights early August last year. We loved it! And spent a day going over to Telluride...meh. Are you sure that late Sept is not too late for Fall colors?

DebitNM

I would do more days in Telluride and less in Ouray.

I have done LOTS of posts on here on the area [lived there full time for 4+ years and now part time]. I have posted on tons of threads here; here are some from the past 3 years alone [2010 -2013; you can always do an older search using the advanced search and adjusting the dates.

http://www.fodors.com/search/results...author=debitnm

http://www.fodors.com/search/results...author=debitnm

spirobulldog

I think a person needs 2 days at a minimum for Mesa Verde and possible even 3. Especially, if you are including Wetherill section. Sounds like you have things planned out nicely.

Don't know if you are adventurous or not and this is very pricey. But, www.soaringcolorado.com is zipline with half of the Durango train ride too. One of the very best adventures we've ever been on. Having done several ziplines, this ones hands down is the best!

Timing and weather/rain this summer might dictate fall colors. Hopefully, you will hit it perfectly.

yestravel

I like Ridgway outside of OUray. I much prefer it to Telluride and Ouray is close by.

DebitNM

Curious, what is it about Ridgway that makes you prefer it to Telluride?

okoshi2002

DebitNM what would you recommend with more days in Telluride at that time of the year ? Do you think the timing is reasonable in terms of seeing the fall colors ?

Kathva where did you stay in Ouray ?

Spirobulldog I wanted to do all the hikes they offer including the Spring House, Wethewill and Upper Navajo which are available only on certain days of the week therefore spending three days.
Is it best to stay at the park ?

Thanks.

DebitNM

Foliage - I have seen it snow mid Sept in Telluride. A lot of the color change is dependent on moisture levels and temps. It gets cold during the nights right after Labor Day.

Mid Sept to late Sept is about the start of changing colors:

This will give you an idea of last year:
http://info.boxcanyonouray.com/bid/1...September-2013

http://bestdurangocoloradovacations....ge-update.aspx

As far as Mesa Verde is concerned; Wetherill closes on Labor Day.

http://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/hiking.htm

Telluride has great hiking and would fill several days. I like the town better than Ouray, but that is subjective of course. More high end as far as restaurants go too. We also do off roading, but we are experienced and do not recommend this if you don't know how to drive in these conditions and have proper vehicle. You can take tours out of Durango.

We have stayed at St Elmos Hotel [it's a B&B] in Ouray. Nice place. The Beaumont Hotel is really nice but pricey. Box Canyon is good hike and there are hots springs in town. [I prefer the one in Durango though]. Box Canyon Lodge is supposed to be nice place too.

Ouray - Box Canyon is good hike but the falls will be pretty a trickle by Sept and there are hots springs in town.

Depending on where you want to stay in Telluride; there are many choices there.

Oh Telluride Blues and Brews is Sept 12 -14th. 10,000 people come to town. It's a great time but beware as prices skyrocket and it is packed everywhere.

Kathva

Hello again. The following is my trip report which might be helpful for you,

We decided to stay all 6 nights in Ouray which we felt was really the best way for our travel style. The condo we chose was over the top gorgeous in the renovated Story Block building on Main St and comfortable with central air. Our daughter and son in law stayed here with us for two nights. Here's a link: www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p296621

Our trip was really a great time centered around several wedding festivities (our niece got married) and family gatherings with some hikes tucked in between, plus our two extra days.

FYI, my husband & I are 60 years young and lived in Denver long ago as newlyweds. We used to backpack and cross country ski in northern colorado but now I have challenging knees and we live on the east coast.

We visited Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP after we arrived in Montrose airport that first Thursday afternoon. Highly recommend the overlooks at this NP and also Colorado Boy restaurant in Montrose.(very, very good food and brews).

After a hike Friday morning on the Ice Park trail, we lunched at True Grit cafe in Ridgeway with family and loved the ambiance and their Friday special, fried catfish. It took an extra looong time to serve our food however. Our server was lovely, not her fault. Also enjoyed the farmer's market in the town park that afternoon.

On Saturday morning, we hiked on a flat nordic trail south of Ouray on 550. It goes by the old ghost town of Ironton. We follwed that with an early lunch on the patio at Timberline Deli in Ouray. Good choice again: attentive, friendly service and yummy sandwiches.

Here's a link to those two trails: http://www.ouraytrails.org/nordic.html

In the afternoon. Switzerland of America 4-wheeled all the wedding guests up to the Amphitheatre for the ceremony (spitting rain but it stopped for the actual event) The reception was incredible at The Beaumont with a blue grass band and excellent food and cocktails.

We loved visiting Box Canyon Falls and hiked further to see more of the ice park area. Later while soaking in the Ouray Hot Springs Pool, we saw a bear cub on the ridge nearby!

My husband & I drove Owl Creek Pass (out of Ridgeway) for a scenic afternoon and picnic at Silver Jack Reservoir. I can imagine that this is a favorite drive for everyone in the Fall with so many aspens. It's a 2W drive dirt/gravel road that was very easy and comfortable in our rental SUV. On our way home we stopped at the Dennis Weaver park. Lovely blooming sage there and that magnificent eagle sculpture as well as the pretty Uncompahgre River.

We also had one lunch and dinner at Ouray Brewery outside on the roof patio. Very recommended! Had an engaging talk with a couple from Ridgeway who asked to share a long table with us. She is a cattle rancher and he works as a horse whisperer. Hope we didn't cramp their style...looked like they were on a date

Our last full day, we took a day trip to Telluride, drove over Dallas Divide and stopped at Mountain Village to park there. Took the gondola down to town, walked around a lot (we're not shoppers) and shared very good fish tacos and pork green chile outside at Floradora Saloon. Drove over to see Bridal Falls (from the bottom of the falls, NOT the 4x4 trail), and then it started to rain and storm as we drove back to Ouray.

We ate at the restaurant at Chipeta Sun Lodge in Ridgeway for our last dinner. (Recommended by someone at S of A). Food and my cosmo were very good. The space was quiet, calm and beautiful.

In addition to the wedding and seeing our family, our trip to Imogene Pass with Switzerland of America was truly a highlight. Wish we could have done a second trip with them! They are a fine group of people working there. We enjoyed waterfalls, wildflowers, panoramic views, cute marmots and picas. Loved it!

Our drive over to Montrose airport was very easy. We got there early enough for our 9:30 am flight to have a breakfast sandwich freshly made at the little deli there. Thank you to the TA advisors for your advice, even though we decided to do some things differently. And thank you Colorado for your hospitality and a memorable trip!

yestravel

I like the feel of Ridgway, more small town and very low key. Less people in ridgway. Lots of incredible hiking nearby and beautiful scenic drives. I have only driven thru and eaten lunch in telluride. It never appealed to me so never stayed there. Maybe if I stayed a couple days I'd feel differently. I know the food is probably much better in telluride.

DebitNM

yestravel - I guess I can see that. When I lived full time in SW Colorado it was in a town a lot like Ridgway, so to me, it was about being in someplace different. Telluride and Durango provided me with that necessary difference.

yestravel

And I live in a big city, so tend to be attracted to real small towns and villages.

DebitNM

LindainOhio

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ride-co.cfm?12

Here is a trip report from our trip to Telluride/Ouray that we also took in September. We loved the area.

wave725

We loved Ouray and hiking in that area. We've been there twice and when we were there the first time we stayed in a cabin about a mile outside town towards Ridgeway and the last time at a hotel in Ridgeway. Sorry I can't remember which one.

We did an amazing hike called Blue Lakes in the Mt. Sneffels Wilderness Area. One of my favorite all time hikes.
http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails.com/blue-lakes.htm

The rode was also going in in Ridgeway while we were there, which was sometime in August.

okoshi2002

Hi everybody thank you for all the useful information and details.
We are looking forward to spending time outdoors. Wave725 Blue Lakes Trail sounds wonderful. We will need to look for that trail.

We do not need fancy accommodations. Looking at River's Edge Motel in Ouray and New Sheridan in Telluride. Not sure about Durango- any suggestions ? It looks like we are captive in Mesa Verde at the Far View Lodge but hopefully that's a good thing.

DebitNM we will arrive after the Blues and Brews Festival. Hoping to miss the large crowds that gather there. The balloon festival looks interesting but apparently it is earlier in the summer . Pictures remind me of the balloon festival we happened upon in October one year in Taos which we also enjoyed very much.

DebitNM

The big Balloon Fiesta is in Albuquerque, usually the first full week in Oct with the weekends on either side - this year October 4 -12.

Try The Victorian in Telluride, great location, clean and nothing fancy but should be way less than The New Sheridan.

There are several chain motels in Durango, some just a bit west of town on SR550 heading towards MVNP. There are also some chainsat the north end of Main Street, heading towards Purgatory and Ouray.

The Kennebec Cafe on SR 550 heading towards MVNP is one of our favorite spots to eat.

In Durango, Guido's is top notch. Some good breweries/pubs too.

LindainOhio

We rented a condo in Mountain Village in Telluride for $100/day. We did stay a week there but you may want to check rentals on VRBO. Summer rentals in Telluride/Mountain Village are very affordable and riding the free gondola to town and to the hiking trails was a joy.

spirobulldog

Far View Lodge is just OK, but is where I would certainly suggest to stay. On the upside, the food is pretty darn good there for dinner. I would also have an Indian Taco at their cafe place, that is in a different part of the park.

DebitNM

Do be prepared for the possibility of snow on trails and dress appropriately - layers, with LOTS of water, sunscreen, chapstick too.