Anyone ever visited this area? (I beleive it's near Ouray, Telluride, etc.) We will be staying in a cabin on Trout Lake Mid- June, for almost a week. Ahhhhh. We hope to venture out (besides just fishing on the lake) to take the Silverton Train. Any other ideas?

As I wrote in the high altitude post, Trout Lake is gorgeous. I'm surprised anyone not from this area found out about it. It is a small lake, easily accessible from the highway, but still in the middle of nowhere. I'd love to spend a week there. Be aware that there still may be snow on some of the higher altitude hiking trails.

I have hiked up to the Animas-Dolores divide from the other side to look down on Trout Lake, and Lake Hope, probably 1000 feet higher. The view from that divide is just spectacular, probably 100 miles or more.

There is a road across Ophir Pass, just south(?) of Trout Lake, that cuts across the mountains to Silverton. It is a narrow rock road with some scary drop-offs. My parents now call it "Oh Fear" pass after I drove them over it going west to east in an old jeep. The road is worth taking, but east to west keeps you on the inside if you have to pass a car coming the other way. It doesn't require a 4WD; I had a Neon pass me from the other direction.

Getting to the train won't be fast, since you will be many road miles from Durango and Silverton. It will probably take about 2 hours to either town. People really like the Bon Ton restaurant in Ouray. Ouray also has hot springs and a walk into a box canyon that's pretty nice.

There are 2 books which may help you a lot in planning: the Colorado Atlas and Gazetteer from DeLorme, and Hiking Trails of Southwestern Colorado, by Paul Pixler. You could probably get them through backcountryexperience.com if not at a store in your area.

Thanks SO much Travelyn. Yes, I read the high altitude post after I posted this.

We actually were planning a road trip (from TX) to NM and then the Grand Canyon. I remembered that my ex-inlaws have a cabin on Trout Lake. I've never been. They just okayed our request to stay there a week in June. (My great relationship with the ex has paid off again...)

Thanks for your suggestions. We have NO problem staying in a cabin, fishing and hiking for a week. But we may want to venture out. If so, we'll definitely try the place in Ouray and I'll go find those books you mention.

(And we may skip the roads you mention. I have a fear of heights....)

Definitely visit silverton and ouray. they are neat little towns to walk around in.

The Million Dollar Highway between the two towns in an awesome drive.

The train is a MUST. However, I would ride the train one way and take the bus back. I think most people would agree. Besides, you get to see two different scenes. The train and bus do not travel the same route.

Travellyn - This may sound silly, but is Trout Lake a good fishing spot? My husband and I love to fish (even tho we rarely catch anything...) Just wonder if this might change our luck!

lisa, I don't know for sure, since I don't fish. My guess is yes, because the Fish and Wildlife Department stocks high country lakes each year with fry from the hatcheries.

Make sure you buy a fishing license, which will also cover you for search and rescue for hiking, etc. Getting lost or hurt is pretty unlikely, but there are always a couple of cases a year in which some poor hiker gets billed $20,000.