seniormsuedu

This sept. pup and i are driving from moab to durango. how is 90/145 to telluride? i've taken the cortez/mesa verde route. I would like to spend a day or two either in telluride or ouray. which would be more interesting? then on to durango if i do not drive over the edge and end my western travel experiences.

travellyn

I haven't driven the route you mention, but it looks like it would be beautiful. I have friends who live in Norwood, and they never complain about the roads from there to Durango. I think it takes them about 3 hours to get to Durango. I wouldn't hesitate to do the drive.

Ouray and Telluride are both beautiful. Ouray is probably more affordable, with a little more to do in the town itself. Both are great interms of activities in the surrounding mountains. I drove through Ouray last weekend and was surprised at how built up it's gotten in the last couple of years. The drive from Telluride to Ouray isn't difficult or scary.

montyw

Wed did this route a few years ago since it started pouring in Moab a few days into our trip and snow was forecast at night - not the best mountain bike weather (Halloween time) - We decided to drive back to Durango through Telluride where we had lunch just as the storm started to settle in, we then went on to Ouray and were planning on jumping in the Hot Springs, but I think they were cleaning them or something just before the winter season and had just shut them down - We then did the drive to Silverton and over Mollas Pass, Coalbank and through Purgatory (Now Durango Mountain) in a blizzard, couldn't see the road and even then it wasn't a bad trip - September should be awesome with the Aspens changing and the crisp autumn air - Spend some time in Telluride for certain!

travellyn

Hey, Monty, I think I was in Ouray the weekend you're talking about! I went there for a church retreat on a (clear) Friday, and by Sunday, there was a big snowstorm. Being chickens, we drove back to Durango via Lizard Head instead of Red Mountain Pass. I remember that we had planned to go to the hot springs, but they were closed for cleaning or repairs. I think it was 2000 or 2001.

seniormsuedu

many thanks for the info. i don't hike or bike any more but would like to see the real grown-up mountains before the snow hits. i will use your recommendations.

travellyn, i was hoping you would answer this post since you know so much about this area. is the scenery worth the terror of driving million $ highway instead of lizard head pass? hope so.

look for me in mid-sept. with my terrier pup tied outside the antique and etc. store in wonderful downtown durango.

beckers2482

The scenery on the Million Dollar Highway is ABSOLUTELY worth it!!!! Just remember, if you can keep your car between the lines on any other road, you can do it here too (there's just a little less shoulder). Remeber to use a low gear and don't use your breaks unless you have to. Incidentally, the road has been recently repaved and it's much better than it used to be. There are plenty of places to pull over and enjoy the views and to let the CO natives pass us vacationers. There are two spectacular waterfalls just south of Ouray, and Silverton is a fun place to stop mid-way between Durango and Ouray (and it's very dog-friendly). While you're in Ouray, take a few minutes for Box Canyon Falls. Also, head to Ridgway (just north of Ouray) and turn west on 62 for about 20 minutes. The Sneffels Range will be on your left - and the split rail fence that runs along the road separates you from Ralph Lauren's ranch. This is one of the most spectacular views of any mountain range in CO. In my opinion, Ouray is more interesting and scenic than Telluride, and definitely not as expensive. Have fun!

travellyn

Senior, I'll keep an eye out for you. There's a potential problem you should be aware of in that the powers that be are not letting people leave their dogs tied outside stores anymore. There was an article in the Durango Herald (durangoherald.com) about it in the last week. I think there will be a big backlash against this policy, because so many people around here take their dogs everywhere. Maybe the store owners would let you bring your dog just inside.

If you're in town on a Monday, you might want to eat at the Palace Restaurant, downtown just next to the train station. They have delicious hamburgers with a side of fries or excellent salad for $5 after 5pm. If you're a drinker, the beer's good (and cheaper than my son's apple juice) and an oversized margarita on the rocks is only $3. The last 2 times we went, I had to see a movie at the Gaslight Theater on the other side of the station to sober up enough to drive home. We've been going there almost every Monday for the last couple of months, but I'd heard raves about hamburger night for a while before we stumbled across it. We've started making reservations so that we can be sure to sit out on the covered patio.

I've written before that I get scared driving on 550 along the cliffs south of Ouray. I drove it last week, and it was not much of a problem for me. It's definitely easier when I'm the driver instead of a passenger. (This time, I didn't allow myself to look to my right until I had passed the really hairy section, maybe only about 5 miles long.) The only reason we took Lizard Head a few years ago was that we didn't want to drive 550 with snow and ice on the road. If the road is clear, it's definitely worth the drive for the spectacular alpine scenery. Plan on following Beckers' advice and pull over every now and then to take in the fresh air and the views.

Connie

I spent time in both Telluride and Ouray last week. I enjoy Ouray better, mostly because the store owners are friendly. I"m not sure even one store owner spoke to us or even acknowledged our presence in Telluride---very snooty!

A fun (and free) thing to do in Telluride is to ride the tram to the Mountain Village. It's in three parts--go all the way and then back down. GREAT views! It's on the last street to the south and about midway through town.

If you have time, THE thing to do in Ouray is to rent a Jeep or take a Jeep tour over the old mining trails.

Just stay off Black Bear Pass. A Jeep rolled last week and killed both passengers. This is a pass that people are told to stay off of but they did it anyway. It's one of the trails you should do on a tour with very experienced drivers--same goes for Engineer Pass off of 550.

We were caught in a heavy snow storm on Imogene Pass--scary and we couldn't see the awesome views at over 11000 feet. This was in the last week in July!!

I agree the drive over Dallas Pass between Telluride and Ridgway (on your way to Ouray) is one of the most scenic drives in Colorado. The Sneffels range is a mini-Tetons and just beautiful.

In Telluride, Ouray and Silverton, there were dogs tied up outside LOTS of stores.

The Hot Springs in Ouray were closed one day for cleaning while we were there, as well. I think there are scheduled days that they clean and you can find the calender on their website www.ouraycolorado.com
I'm sure it's necessary since it's not a chlorinated pool.

seniormsuedu

becker, i will take my ralph lauren pillow case to wave at the split-rail fence. i always wanted to see mt. sneffels, it's beautiful in pictures - think it's one of the funniest names for a mountain. sounds like a disease.

last year i drove from durango to molas pass but turned around when found out there would be an hour delay because of construction. this year, all the way!

travellyn, will definitely eat at the palace, only don't know about mondays. after surviving the mountains, i will be ready for their super drinks and then on to the palace theater for a nap.

also will try my best to get out of the way of the wahoo cowboys who don't hesitate to get within 1 inch behind an out-of-state car.

don't do jeep rides, thank god. fun enough trying to keep on the highway.

i won't tell mr. jasper about not tying up outside stores. it's enough that when i load up and am ready to go from michigan, he thinks we are only going to the library.

thanks again.