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I am planning on a trip from Dallas (TX) to Four Corners, Utah and Durango during the 3 day Easter break. Is this a good time to go there. Will the train ride there be fun at this time of the year. Should I be considering some other places near Dallas that would be fun.
I am planning on a trip from Dallas (TX) to Four Corners, Utah and Durango during the 3 day Easter break. Is this a good time to go there. Will the train ride there be fun at this time of the year. Should I be considering some other places near Dallas that would be fun.
I am planning on a trip from Dallas (TX) to Four Corners, Utah and Durango during the 3 day Easter break. Is this a good time to go there. Will the train ride there be fun at this time of the year. Should I be considering some other places near Dallas that would be fun at this time of the year.
I am planning on a trip from Dallas (TX) to Four Corners, Utah and Durango during the 3 day Easter break. Is this a good time to go there. Will the train ride there be fun at this time of the year. Will it be too cold to be fun. Should I be considering some other places near Dallas that would be fun.
I am planning on a trip from Dallas (TX) to Four Corners, Utah and Durango during the 3 day Easter break. Is this a good time to go there. Will the train ride there be fun at this time of the year. Will it be too cold to be fun. Should I be considering some other places near Dallas.
By train ride, I presume you mean the Durango & Silverton Narrow Guage Railway. Spring time in the Rockies can be anywhere from balmy and beautiful to Arctic cold & snowy. No problem either way except for the length of the trip. The train has both open and closed, heated cars. That early in the year, they are probably not running all the way to Silverton. Because of snow pack and the difficuty of maintaining roadbed through the winter, they only run about halfway from Durango and then turn around at a wye and return. It's still a neat ride. In that area, don't miss the four corners monument, just to say you've been there (you can do it in an hour or less) and the Mesa Verde National Monument. They are both a short, easy drive (unless there's a blizzard) from Durango. Have a great time. It's one of my favorite areas of the country.
I did not remember these web addresses when I posted my previous reply. They say, as we get older memory is the second thing to go and I can't remember what the first one was. Anyway, you might want to check out www.Durango.com, www.DurangoTrain.com, and SouthwestDirectory.com.
I did not remember these web addresses when I posted my previous reply. They say, as we get older memory is the second thing to go and I can't remember what the first one was. Anyway, you might want to check out www.Durango.com, www.DurangoTrain.com, and SouthwestDirectory.com.
Thanks for that Don. That's great information.
Another quick question for you. We are planning on driving to Durango on Thursday evening and driving back on Sunday night. Therefore we'll have 3 full days there (Friday to Sunday). Looks like we'll have plenty of time even after doing the the train ride, Mesa Verde Monument and Four Corners. Could you suggest something else that we could do as well while we are there.
Thanks
The Four Corners really wasn't that great when I was there last March. The weather was beautiful, but the monument itself left a lot to be desired. We had to pay a couple bucks per person to drive up the driveway and look at a big metal plauque in the ground surrounded by run-down shop/sheds selling overpriced junk.
I'd recommend looking on from the road. But that's just me, and I might be crazy. : )
The Telluride ski/resort area is not too far out of Durango and makes a nice day visit. Depending on the Weather, the raod between Silverton and Ouray (pronounced your-WAY) is called the "Million Dollar Highway" and is one of the most spectacular drives in the US. I esepecially like the view of Ouray and the little valley its in as you come down the highway northbound. If the weather is bad, I do not recommend that drive unless your an experienced mountain driver and your vehicle is equipped for bad weather driving. If you enjoy night life, there are several clubs in Durango and I presume there are some in Telluride as well. If you are into photogrpahy, I enjoy chasing the train on a day I'm not riding it, getting good passing shots. There are several vantage points along the highway that you can get good shots of the train as it passes by. If you like hiking, there are lots of trails short distances from Durango. My caution about experience and being equipped is doubly important. Like the desert, the mountains can kill you quickly if you do something stupid. However, if you know and stay within your limitations, it is one of my favorite spots on earth to visit. Have a great trip.
I agree it's not much to look at and it's pretty touristy. However, if you collect experiences, it's the only place in the country you can be at the junction of four seperate states.
It isn't that far to push on to Monument Valley. You won't regret it. The light is truly amazing. The main hwy is US 163 and it is great, but plan on taking the private road "administered" by the Navajo Tribal Park. It is a toll road, is unpaved and a bit challenging in wetter weather but worth every dime. It is possible in 2wd but more comfortable in 4WD.
The scenic drive is about 17 miles and one should allow a few hours to explore the area if possible. The next time we do the drive, we hope to spend a couple of days in the park. It is that good!
Mark
It isn't that far to push on to Monument Valley. You won't regret it. The light is truly amazing. The main hwy is US 163 and it is great, but plan on taking the private road "administered" by the Navajo Tribal Park. It is a toll road, is unpaved and a bit challenging in wetter weather but worth every dime. It is possible in 2wd but more comfortable in 4WD.
The scenic drive is about 17 miles and one should allow a few hours to explore the area if possible. The next time we do the drive, we hope to spend a couple of days in the park. It is that good!
Mark
There is lots to do there. Telluride ski/resort area is just up the road. If the waether is good, a drive over the "Million Dollar Highway" from Durango to Silverton to Ouray (pronounced your-RAY) is one of the most spectacular drives in America. If the weather is bad, you need to be an experienced mountain driver in a vehicle equipped for the conditions. If you like photography, you might enjoy chasing the train on a day you are not riding it. There are several spots along the road where you can get great shots as the train passes. Both Durango and Telluride have a lively night lefe during the summer. I've never been there at this time of year so I am not sure how it is now. I also enjoy hiking in this area and there are lots of great trails at all levels from a leisurly stroll to an energetic hike. My caution about weather, experience, and equipment apply doubly to mountain hiking.
I lived in Colorado for several years and I always enjoy going back. I hope you enjoy your visit.
I'm from ohio and I just got back from Durango last night. Great town, I want to move there! They say that spring is the worst time of the year, but it was still 50 times prettier than Ohio! It was really brown, but in the summertime it looks like Hawaii!! The train is really interesting, but it costs 50 dollars. If you like to bike ride, I'd suggest that! There are two ways to get to Telluride, one takes 3 hours, the other takes 2. The 3 hour way is very beautiful. Although, it can be very scary at times if your coming back that way, because there are no guard rails, so you look down steep cliffs. So I suggest going on the 3 hour trip there and (if your heading back to Durango) go the 2 hour way. If you do go to Durango ... you have to go to the Straiter Bar on a Friday night.. you'll get a kick out of that! Most of the resturaunts are really tasty. Make sure you go up to Fort Lewis to check out the view from up there! Great sunset watching spots! Once you visit the town, you'll never want to leave!