Southwest area of Colorado
Apr 30th, 1999 | 12:40 PM
#1
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Southwest area of Colorado
We are planning a trip to Aspen, Redstone, Telluride, Durango, Silverton and Ouray,
Colorado in July. I know the area around Redstone is very pretty, however, have never
been in the southwestern part of the state.
How does the mountain scenary compare with the rest of the state? Thanks!!
Colorado in July. I know the area around Redstone is very pretty, however, have never
been in the southwestern part of the state.
How does the mountain scenary compare with the rest of the state? Thanks!!
May 1st, 1999 | 01:54 AM
#3
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It's fantastic. The drive between Ouray & Durango is super. Air so clear & sharp that mountains look like they are cotout & pasted against the sky. Don't miss the Narrow Gage Steam RR out of Durango & Mesa Verde Nat'l Park. If further East, catch Great Sand Dunes Nat'l Park too.
May 1st, 1999 | 02:29 AM
#4
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Had one of the best vacations of my life in Durango. I agree...don't miss the train ride from Durango to Silverton, but you need to make reservations for it ahead of time!!! It is extremely popular, particularly in July. From Durango you can also take day trips to Mesa Verde and the Anasazi ruins at Aztec, NM. There are some great places to eat in Durango, and I recall some very friendly people. Enjoy!
May 13th, 1999 | 03:53 AM
#5
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Ditto Dayle's comments. And if you are adventurous, want to see the mts. up close and avoid any crowds and tourists, rent a 4-wheel drive vehicle and drive the mts passes on your own. Engineers Pass and Eugene's Pass roads are beautiful. One of those passes (I don't remember which) takes you from Telluride to Ouray. Take some drinks and a picnic. You can easily spend a day on each of those dirt roads. You won't regret it. The scenery from up there is amazing. Maps of the mt jeep roads can be bought in the towns you mentioned. They rate each road from 1 to 5. 1, can drive in a car; 3, must have a 4-wheel drive
May 13th, 1999 | 05:44 AM
#6
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You're in for a wonderful trip! Definitely do the train ride- and get one of the open gondola cars if you can. The breeze off the river is better than a/c, and the scenery is spectacular! Ouray is one of the neatest places I've ever been. We took a horseback trail ride up into the mountains- wow! ENJOY!!
May 13th, 1999 | 03:55 PM
#7
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I recommend Yankee Boy Basin south and west from Ouray. The rode is narrow, but a regular car can make it at least part of the way up the basin and farther if the road has been graded. We drove up until it got too rough and then walked. There are some spectacular peaks around, including Mound Sneffels. And the wildflowers were spectacular.
I hate to be a party pooper but that train ride from Durango to Silverton is not worth it. Except for one stretch where you look down on the Animas River from a blasted-out ledge, the views are not much because you are down in a trench most of the way. You get much better views from the highway.
As a "must see" I rate Mesa Verde National Park as a top "must see", particularly if you have read anything about ancient American cultures. Who were those people and where did they go?
Fascinating questions.
If you can, get a National Forest map and find the road that goes up to Silver Pick Basin, a little west of Telluride. Mount Wilson and Wilson Peak are in the vicinity. We drove the road up for a ways and then got out and walked, but we could have driven further. I stopped at a point where I could easily turn around, mainly because the map indicated a "locked gate" just ahead. The map was wrong; if there was a gate it was in hiding. Some guy in a Ford Escort Wagon had driven about as far up as he could go. The road was graded that year, but I don't know if road work is done every year. There were/are active gold mines up in the basins.
For a short stay I think a jeep trip might be worth the fee. The drivers know where to go and how to do it, and you don't put your own car at risk. I have driven those roads in a regular car and have come out of it with minor damage, like a smashed gas tank that cost me about 3 gallons in capacity, and skinned up fenders. But you are in for a spectacular ride, if the clouds don't spoil the fun.
I hate to be a party pooper but that train ride from Durango to Silverton is not worth it. Except for one stretch where you look down on the Animas River from a blasted-out ledge, the views are not much because you are down in a trench most of the way. You get much better views from the highway.
As a "must see" I rate Mesa Verde National Park as a top "must see", particularly if you have read anything about ancient American cultures. Who were those people and where did they go?
Fascinating questions.
If you can, get a National Forest map and find the road that goes up to Silver Pick Basin, a little west of Telluride. Mount Wilson and Wilson Peak are in the vicinity. We drove the road up for a ways and then got out and walked, but we could have driven further. I stopped at a point where I could easily turn around, mainly because the map indicated a "locked gate" just ahead. The map was wrong; if there was a gate it was in hiding. Some guy in a Ford Escort Wagon had driven about as far up as he could go. The road was graded that year, but I don't know if road work is done every year. There were/are active gold mines up in the basins.
For a short stay I think a jeep trip might be worth the fee. The drivers know where to go and how to do it, and you don't put your own car at risk. I have driven those roads in a regular car and have come out of it with minor damage, like a smashed gas tank that cost me about 3 gallons in capacity, and skinned up fenders. But you are in for a spectacular ride, if the clouds don't spoil the fun.
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Jul 5th, 1999 | 05:33 PM
#8
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Yes, the train ride is a long one, but if you don't have anyone in your party under 21 and you can spring for the $88.00 ticket, ride the parlor car, the last car on the train. It is hitched up on only certain days. It is a private car with tables and a bar plus an observation deck on the back of the car that definitely is a plus! If you are in a group of, say, couples, this is particularly enjoyable. I guarantee the trip is not as long in the parlor car!
