From Ouray, we are going to take the million dollar drive through Telluride to Silverton and then we'd like to stay in Silverton, and do some hiking around the ice lakes. What do you think? Places to stay? Suggestions about the hikes?

First thing...you have your stops on the million dollar highway mixed up. I am not sure where you are starting {Durango perhaps?} but the cirlce goes from Durango to Silverton to Ouray to Telluride and then down to Dolores and Cortez, past Mesa Verde and then back to Durango. So you will need to rethink your route {unless you plan to take an over the mountain pass route}.

I would suggest staying in Ouray rather than Silverton. Ouray has more to offer in terms of lodging, food and it has the hot springs. Silverton is mostly tourist shops and a few restaurants.

I am topping some recent threads that will assist you with some of your questions in this post and your other one.

Hope this helps...
Debi

Lisa, I agree with Debit - I would stay in Ouray rather than Silverton. Telluride was my favorite town, then Ouray. We only stopped in Silverton at the store for snacks so maybe I am not being fair, but I was disappointed with Silverton.

I also am curious about the route you are taking. In reference to the circle described by Debit - we did the loop opposite what is listed. Don't know why, but for some reason, I think driving it from so you go from Ouray then to Silverton is better. Debit, does that make sense?

LvSun,
I like driving it from Durango...I prefer the view going to Silverton and then Ouray so that our vehicle is closer to the outside of the wall...slightly better views and a little more thrilling...but we've done it a number times in either direction. I also had no idea where the OP was starting from since here plan was out of order.

Really, it doesn't matter how you go...but the order is what matters in regards to OP - Ouray is in between Telluride and Silverton, so unless you want to backtrack or plan to drive over mountain passes {in 4 wheel drive vehicle} you need to go to the towns in that order. And yes, Telluride is nicer than even Ouray, but again OP didn't indicate staying there. It is also more expensive for both rooms and food, although some places can be had for "reasonable" rates in Telluride.

Hope this helps...
Debi

Telluride is the most unforgettable town. If there is any way to stay there I would do it! It is also a nice place to go out at night, with some quirky restaurants and bars.
As for hiking - I would also recommend a walk in Telluride, up to Tomboy (old mining site). Its a good walk, and the views are spectacular.

We did this trip a few years ago and I was blown away by the landscape. You are in for a real treat! Have a wonderful time! (my daughters wanted us to sell everything and open a coffee shop in Telluride)

We were planning on driving from Denver to Ouray, spending a day there, and then the next day, doing the million dollar drive. So from Ouray, going to Telluride and then to Silverton. Does that make sense? Or should we drive from Denver to somewhere else, like Durango and then go that way? Thanks for all of your help!

Unless you want to do a lot of backtracking you need to pick a route that flows:

You can drive from Denver to Durango [about a 6 hour drive]. Then follow the route I outline in post above:

You can drive to Silverton in about 90 minutes. Then drive to Ouray [in 40 minutes]. From Ouray, drive into Telluride [around 1 hour].

From Telluride, you can then head up to Grand Junction [go up 550 to 50...about 2 1/2 hours from Telluride to Grand Junction] and catch I 70 back to Denver in Grand Junction. [4 hours from Grand Junction to Denver].

An alternate with great canyon views and little traffic from Telluride to Grand Junction is to go on 141 north into GJ. Time is the same.

Getting to SW corner isn't easy from Denver, but it is so worth it. However, I think you said in your other post that you wanted to do this in 2 days? It would take you a day to get to Durango and then a day to get from Telluride home. You really need at least 3 or 4 days to hike and see the towns and drive to and from home.

Hope this helps...
Debi

This has been so helpful- thank you. And if you have some more time (no pressure), a couple more questions. We are leaving Denver on Sunday (mid-day) and I think, now, driving to Durango. We have to be in Vail on Thursday night. I think we definitely want to spend at least a day in Telluride from everything you have been saying, but otherwise, we are open. What do you think is the best plan? Ideally, we'd like to climb a mountain, do at least one hike, camp for a night, go to a hot spring, and either bike or go horseback riding. I know this is a ton, but since you've been so helpful, I just thought I'd ask. Thank you again and again!

Another twist on Debit's advice. I think the drive on HWY 50 from Montrose to I-70 is really boring. I prefer to take the route from Delta to Glenwood Springs on Hwy 133. Very scenic and the towns of Redstone and Marble are two interesting stops on the way. There is a large hot springs pool in Glenwood in case you are interested. From Glenwood it is a straight shot down I-70 to Vail - about an hour drive.

Okay....I really appreciate any advice you can provide...LOL. Fly in late June 16. Time with family June 17-18.
Sun 19 - drive to Sand Dunes. Hotel Sun night Alamosa
Mon 20 - drive to Mesa Verde. Hotel in park.
Tue 21 - do something like White Water Raft or Horseback Riding and go to Hotel in Durango
Wed 22 - Maybe Jeep or hike. Hotel in Durango.
Thur 23 - Do hike, or sightsee. Drive to Telluride. Night in Telluride.
Friday 24 - Drive from Telleride and find something fun to do along the way closer to Denver. Hotel somewhere along route 70 maybe near Breckenridge or Vail.
Saturday morning - arrive in Denver have lunch with relatives near airport and get in line for TSA by 2pm for 4pm flight.

Am I crazy or what? lol Any suggestions/advice greatly appreciated.

dreed,
Please start a new thread, this one is over 10 years old.