Denver through Four corners loop. - Page 5

Southwest Dave · #41 11-18-2009, 07:03 AM

Million dollar highway

A bright, crispy cold morning greets us and with the sound of the river running by, the lovely Fall colors and snow capped mountains in the back ground, it felt great to be alive !

Our first port of call this morning was the short walk into the mountain town of Ouray, just 10 miles Northeast of Telluride as the crow flies but a 50 mile drive on the scenic San Juan skyway winding it's way through the mountains . You can see why this town is referred to as the "Switzerland of America", nestled amongst the steep slopes of the mountains, it is in an amazing setting.

We wander through the town and look in the stores, everyone is so friendly. It really feels like a town run by locals, for locals, where visitors are welcome. I think this helps with the unique feel of the towns around here, all to often places loose there identity to the lure of the tourist trade, not in these parts !

We head back to the RV park where we meet 'our neighbours', a wonderful family who now live in Texas. We had a great chat, swapping stories of our adventures and we exchanged contact details. I also told them of the RTA site so if the 'J' family are looking in, Hi and a big wave !

Time to leave and get on the "Million dollar highway". The 550 [San Juan skyway] between Ouray and Durango is often referred to as the Million dollar highway, but as I understand it the section of the highway between Ouray and Red mountain summit is the original section so named. How the name came about has never been agreed upon, it was said to have "Cost a million dollars a mile", or there is "A million dollars of gold ore in the road fill gravel", but my own personal opinion is that it's because it is made up of
Million dollar views !

We stop at the "Box canyon waterfall on the way out of town and then head up the mountain, looking back on the town.

Along the Uncompahgre gorge, a narrow section with sheer drops.

The Idarado mine trestle is part of one of the old gold mining operations. Apparently the mines run some 5 miles under the 13000 ft mountains to Pandora mill near Telluride, Wow !

We travel over Red Mountain that summits at a little over 11000ft and the remains of the Yankee girl mine can be seen near the base. This is truly an amazing drive, one of the best I have done, and I am sure that the sun shining on yesterdays snow is an added bonus.

We make our way down the mountain and into the equally lovely town of Silverton.

Lifemagician · #42 11-19-2009, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Southwest Dave

We make our way down the mountain and into the equally lovely town of Silverton.

I am surprised that you took the RV there, considering that most of the roads up there are unmade. Or have they sealed them all?

Was it snowing.... it snowed all the time when I was there (May 2007), and having taken the train from Durango, did not have any warm clothes with me. It was quite warm in Pagossa Springs and Durango. I had not given it a thought.

But what a lovely little place it is. And did you visit the shrine on the hill?

Livey who is reliving her trip with this report

Southwest Dave · #43 11-19-2009, 04:26 AM

Hi Lifey,

The roads are "sealed up" and in really good shape, although still challenging in places.

Quote:

and having taken the train from Durango,

Perhaps you mean the back roads of Silverton in the old town ? Coming in by train the road through the older part of town is still unmade, but the main Street and roads in and out of Silverton are good.

Quote:

Was it snowing....

We had snow at high elevation coming over the mountain to Telluride and then sun all the way around the Skyway to Durango with the fresh snow glistening on the peaks, amazing !

Quote:

And did you visit the shrine on the hill?

We didn't,a good excuse to go back !

Quote:

what a lovely little place it is.

Amazing, more coming soon !

[Great photo BTW ! ]

Without the snow

Dave.

Southwest Dave · #44 11-20-2009, 04:21 AM

Silverton to Pagosa Springs.

What another great town ! We park the RV in the main street and start to wander into town admiring the colorful buildings that are surrounded by snow covered peaks.

A snow mobile, Silverton styleeee !!

As we turn off the main street the road is unpaved [as mentioned by Lifey] and there are some fantastic old buildings with boardwalks. Without trying to hard it really does represent the "Wild west" to us folks from across the sea and I half expected a cowboy to come flying out through the window of the "Shady lady Saloon" with ensuing gunfight.
[Yep been watching to many Westerns !]

To add to the atmosphere the Silverton to Durango Steam train leaves town as the Mountains mimic the 'puff' of the engine and the 'cry' of the whistle and the only visual clue is the funnel and trail of steam left in the sky, I love this town !

We have a nice lunch in the "Pickle and Barrel" before strolling back through town to the RV and start to head for our destination for tonight, Pagosa springs. Continuing on the San Juan skyway to Durango we witness more great mountain scenery along the way.

Looking back on Silverton.

The road continues over Molas pass @ 10,970 ft and Coal bank pass @ 10,640ft and down past Electra and Haviland lake.

It took longer than expected to arrive in Durango as we were caught behind a slow moving escorted wide load, we eventually passed it only to be caught behind another 5 minutes down the road, still more time to enjoy the scenery.

So it was only a brief stop in Durango to get gas and some provisions and we were off on US 160 and arrived in Pagosa just as the light was fading. There was a small RV park behind "The Spa" that we had hopes of staying at and enjoying a dip in a hot tub but unfortunately there were no vacancies. The friendly lady behind the counter phoned another campground a mile or so out of town to see if they had vacancies and they did, great news but no dip in the hot tub.

Louise was the "Food Guru" for this trip, carefully noting places of interest to eat along our chosen route. So far she had done a great job and tonight was no exception. We had a wonderful meal in "Kips grill and cantina". It was only small but very vibrant, a place the locals come, yet everyone is welcome. The Apple pie is delicious and after enquiring in my best possible "Deep South" American accent [WHICH ISN'T GOOD !] "Is this real Home made American apple pie ?" I discovered it was made just across the road.
Note It should be noted at this point that my companions had sunk in their chairs with embarrassment and the poor waitress was momentarily lost for words Lol !

We head back to the campground and turn in for the night, Tomorrow we head to Taos and hope to be in the Sand dunes NP for the night.

Lifemagician · #45 11-20-2009, 07:22 PM

I wonder if that was on 160, by the river. That was a lovely campground, and those wonderful people even drove me to the doctor and chemist when I became violently ill after spending a day at the Hot Springs.

You did go to the Hot Springs!! Surely there is no way you could miss them.

Lifey who is reliving her 2007 trip with this report