We are going to a festival in Telluride and ended up having to fly in & out of Durango. We will be leaving Telluride early on a Monday morning then spending the night in Durango to fly out Tuesday AM.

What attractions should we not miss on Monday? We thought about the train, but I think it leaves early and we may not make it in time. Doing something fun before we actually get to Durango is an option.

It looks like we will probably take the route through Dolores and Rico. The other route looks like it may be sort of rough. What do you think about the routes?

Besides sightseeing we also like to hike.

The route from Telluride to Durango takes you thru some nice sights.

Just past Dolores, is the ANASAZI HERITAGE CENTER

http://www.co.blm.gov/ahc/

which is small but has some great insights into life here during the Ancestral Puebloan times. This won't take more than an hour or so and is worth stopping to see.

There is a really good hike in nearby Cortez...Sand Canyon. You can do a 5 mile loop or a 6.5 mile trail top to bottom hike.
Depending on your skills, the loop could take 2 hours and the entire top to bottom trail will take at least 3 hours.

You should not miss Mesa Verde which is in Mancos,on the way to Durango.

http://www.mesaverde2006.org/

This could take at least half of your day.

Here is a page from our town's website with other suggestions:

http://www.cityofcortez.com/visiting.shtml

I wouldn't bother doing the train. It takes most of the day if you go the whole trip.

The trip to Telluride is simple. From the airport... RT 160 west towards Cortez; in Mancos, make a right onto RT 184 north into Dolores and then right onto RT 145 north to Telluride. It should be about a little more than 2 hours from the airport in Durango to Telluride.

On the way back, stay on RT 145 heading towards Cortez. Make a right on 184 to see the heritage center. OR -- Stay on 145 into Cortez and then make a right onto RT 160 to go to Sand Canyon for hike.You would go thru town and make a left onto RT491 south towards the Cortez airport and continue past airport to Sand Canyon-- OR -- make a left onto 160 East to go to Mesa Verde and then on to Durango.

If you have any other questions, ask~
Debi

Thank you for all the info. I will follow up with it.

It's not awfully far from Cortez to divert to Aztec, NM to visit the Aztec Ruins National Monument. Fairly compact place with lots to see.

Box canyon falls in Ouray is cool.

Mesa verde.Paul

The best thing to do in this area is to just look at the scenery! The ride up to Telluride is beautiful

If you have a 4wheel drive some of the moutain passes are spectacular. The pass that goes up to tomboy...the old mining site about telluride is really geat. Also when you get to telluride - if you like hiking - the walk up to tomboy is fun. Also a great view.

I also second box canyoun falls.

Thank you everyone.

We went to CO last September and did the San Juan Parkway which is the big circle that includes Telluride, Cortez, Mancos, Durango, Silverton, and Ouray.
Please - you can't miss the Million Dollar Hwy. It's scenery is magnificent and it's not rough - but it is exhilirating. We are Delawareans who never drove in the mountains before and it was fine. Just curvy. I will admit there arent many guardrails, but it's worth the white knuckles you may get occassionally. Plus driving thru Ouray and Silverton is soooooo much more beautiful than Dolores and Rico. Although they are nice in their own way. If you go that way, you'll be in kind of rolling, high desert, and you'll see all the big mountains on your left and wonder what's over there.
Denise

I don't want to diss Cortez by any means, I love all of Colorado, it's all spectacular in it's own right. I will agree with everyone that Mesa Verde is aMAZing!!! And shouldn't be missed, however, if you're looking for really spectacular mountain scenery, I feel the Million $$ Hwy. is the way to go.
Oh we did the train. I loved it but... it's really amazing going up to Silverton, but coming back, obviously it's the same scenery and it seems like forever coming back and yes, it will eat up a whole day... Drive the Million $$ Hwy. and stop in Silverton on your own, you'll have much more time.
Denise

Thanks dee

ttt

Thanks to all.

We flew into Durango, drove to Telluride via Cortez and Delores (easy and beautiful drive). When we left, we drove to Durango via Ridgway, Ouray (did the Box Canyon - cool!!), and Silverton. The scenery on the drive back to Durango was one of the most spectacular views we have ever seen - had to make several stops.

Thanks again for all the great advice!

Topping for lisabobbi!
Debi