Southwest Colorado vacation
 

We are traveling through southwest Colorado in August. We will drive from Durango to Telluride and wonder which direction is best---for beautiful views----Hwy 160west to Hwy 145 or hwy 550 north to Ridgeway and then hwy 62 west to hwy 145?


If we have several hours to spend in Ouray and our guys would like to fly fish from the shore (no wading boots along on trip), where would you suggest they try to fish?

We will be in Telluride for two days----and would like to hear some favorite sights or activities there.

In Gunnison our guys want a guided fishing trip. Which outfit would you consider the best?

Would like opinions on the Morrow boat floating trip. It will be hard to work it in but is it worth the effort?

I know this is a lot of questions but if any of you have answers we would appreciate hearing from you.

Hi,

Although I like Hiway 145 a lot, but for the best overall and AWWWW-type scenery, opt for 550 north on the Million Dollar hiway and then 62 west over Dalles Divide--the views of the San Juans to the south are stunning and the miles of split-rail fence in the foreground make them even better. Can't help on fishing--sorry.

Honestly, you can't go wrong with either drive from Durango to Telluride. Going north on 550 will give you great views but it will have some narrow winding roads that are 1 lane in each direction. Since this is a main route, there can be 18 wheelers on the road which can cause slow going. Also, there are some pretty steep drop offs with little or no shoulder, will this bother you? It does bother some folks and cause them to go slow. Both of these factor into some slow going.

Going west on 160, I would take 184 north in Mancos and then catch 145 north just outside of Dolores and then continue north to Telluride.

Are you making a loop? If so, you could go one way and come back another way.

Will you go to Mesa Verde NP? It is wonderful.

Jeep rides are fun in Telluride or Durango.

I have just done restaurant favorites of mine in the area, click my name and you will find the threads.

I live in the area and have LOTS of threads & posts here on things to do and see.

Deb

I will agree with Linda that going over the passes on the north 550 route are grand, the views of Lizard Head and Mt Wilson on the other route are just as grand.

Deb

We fish out of Crested Butte/ Gunnison so I am not sure if you are heading our way, but we like Dragonfly Anglers out of Crested Butte. They fish the Gunnison and would meet you anywhere in the vicinity for fishing. there's also willowfly anglers out of three rivers resort in almont.

Thanks for your comments.
So far this is our plan
Days 1,2,3 Santa Fe

Day 4 Santa Fe to Durango staying at Best Western Mountain Shadows

Day 5 Train to and from Silverton

Day 6 Drive Durango to Ouray, spend day sightseeing & stop
to fish, on to Telluride to spend the night Bear Creek Inn. condo (will drive on hwy 550 to hwy 50 to hwy 145 be difficult late afternoon to evening on this highway?)

Day 7 Telluride sightseeing, suggestions?, medium price restaurant?

Day 8 drive to Montrose ??? activity

Day 9 Boat tour morning, Black Canyon on Gunnison afternoon
Spend night at Water Wheel Inn in Gunnison

Day 10 Guys will fish all day with High Mountain Drifters Guide... suggestion needed for gals' entertainment

Day 11 spending day around Gunnison area---suggestions please.

Day 12 heading for home.

Any ideas? Anything you would change?

We will drive from Gunnison to Clayton, NM on day 12. Is there anything we wouldn't want to miss seeing along that drive?

The following day we go from Clayton to Yukon, OK and haven't seen any stops that are interesting.

One more day of driving to reach home----exhausted but happy I am sure.