One day in SW Colorado... what to do?

**smmokan** · 05-02-2007, 08:55 AM

I've posted before that my girlfriend and I are going on a roadtrip this summer around SW Colorado... well, we've got it all planned except for one day/night.

We can either stay in Ouray or Telluride (middle of July) and do something in or around either area. What would be better? If we stay in Ouray, we were thinking of renting a 4x4 and driving the Alpine Loop and maybe another mtn pass. If we stayed in T-ride, we'd probably do some 4x4'ing or hiking in the area. So, what would you suggest?

**lemon boy** · 05-02-2007, 09:10 AM

Ouray hotsprings.

**smmokan** · 05-02-2007, 09:11 AM

Spending a day at the hot springs isn't really what I had in mind. I want to see the area and terrain.

**Below Zero** · 05-02-2007, 09:20 AM

I would suggest staying in Ouray - it's a beautiful, quaint town and is cheaper than Telluride. Here is TR I posted last summer so you can get an idea:http://tetongravity.com/forums/showt...ighlight=Ouray

This is the B&B we stayed in. It was very nice. http://ouraylodging-inns.com/

There is a "touristy" hike you can do to this waterfall in Telluride.

**smmokan** · 05-02-2007, 09:24 AM

Thanks BZ.... we actually found lodging in T-Ride a little cheaper than Ouray (for the same level of "niceness"). I was also thinking the drive from T-Ride down to Durango would be more scenic than from Ouray to Durango- is that a correct assumption?

**lemon boy** · 05-02-2007, 09:27 AM

Ummmm Ouray->durango includes Red Mtn Pass one of the most scenic paved roads in the universe*.

Also, I don't know where you're coming from but Owl Creek Pass (between Gunny & Ridgeway) is one of the most scenic unpaved roads in the universe*.

*CO is clearly one of the most scenic places in the universe and as such, two of its most scenic roads rate highly on the universal spectrum of scenicieness.

**smmokan** · 05-02-2007, 09:31 AM

Thanks LB. We'll be coming down from the Gunnison area, so maybe we'll have to check out owl Creek Pass- is it passable with a Subie Impreza?

**Mudfoot** · 05-02-2007, 09:38 AM

It seems that your options are 4-wheeling or hiking. Both places offer lots of both. Between the rental jeeps and the current ATV fad the 4-wheel drive roads are getting pretty crowded, especially the Alpine Loop. I would suggest hiking out of Telluride. Try the trail right out of town up Bear Creek and then up the Watsach Trail. It just keeps getting better as you go up. You can loop it around and come down Bridal Veil Falls if you want a big day. Other option is to drive up to Lizard Head Pass and then up behind Trout Lake to the Lake Hope Trail. Killer views and you can keep climbing when the trail ends if you want.

**lemon boy** · 05-02-2007, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by smmokan

is it passable with a Subie Impreza?

Yes, it is an improved dirt road so basically only washboards. You see RVs and 5thwheels up there sometimes

**PowTron** · 05-02-2007, 09:41 AM

Hiking in and around Ouray is nice...

and I know you said you can stay in Telluride, but my fiance and I were just in Ouray at the St Elmo Bed and Breakfast, and you honestly cannot beat the "romance factor" of being in that quaint, scenic town (Telluride is damn pretty, too, don't get me wrong...)

If you are going to go 4x4'ing, just make sure to check around, and I would recommend renting a jeep yourself...do not get stuck on one of those "wally wagons" where 8 people are all herded into one jeep and you are forced to sit next to some fat bastard from texas...

just my 3 cents....

**Kevo** · 05-02-2007, 09:46 AM

Well, you could always Climb mount Sneffels, which is between Ouray and Telluride.

In my experience, the drive from Ouray to Durango is more scenic than the Drive from Telluride to Durango, except for Lizard Head Pass, which will only be 1/4 of the trip if you go on paved roads. Red Mountain Pass is beautiful. I think it is also important to note that driving from Ouray to Durango (3 mountain passes, and people instinctively drive really slow on red mountain) will probably take you more time than Telluride to Durango (Lizard Head Pass and then some fairly straight roads you can drive fast on).

Oh, and spending an evening at the hot springs never hurt anyone.

**smmokan** · 05-02-2007, 09:48 AM

Sounds like Ouray would make for a more scenic leg of the trip... and I like the Sneffels idea.

**Buster Highmen** · 05-02-2007, 09:57 AM

In Ouray, you could check out the Wiesbaden. They have a cave with a hot pool in it and some other little pools as well as a developed pool out front. It's $15. The Ouray town hot springs are nice too for $10 and it's not like you'd have to spend all day there. Right above the town hotsprings is a popular rock climbing area.

On Red Mountain Pass between Ouray and Silverton, there's a parking area called Ironton ands a bunch of trailheads from there. Alternatively, park right at the Red Mountain Pass summit and ramble the trails around there.

More broadly, out of Ouray, check out this for a bunch of hiking info: http://www.ouraytrails.org/

Telluride has a ton of options too, but there's another one that might pique your interest and that's the reservoir just N. of Ridgeway. It's a big lake with a bunch of park around it and lots of water stuff to do: http://www.wildernet.com/pages/area....20State%20Park .

**smmokan** · 05-02-2007, 10:00 AM

Awesome info- just what I'd expect.

**Kevo** · 05-02-2007, 10:02 AM

With all of that being said, the drive from Ridgway to Telluride over the Dallas Divide is incredible, and it gives you a great view of the Sneffels area.

Although RMP might be more scenic, I think Telluride is the most scenic town in Colorado. Ouray is in the top 4 for me.

Some photos from last summer

Telluride

Dalles Divide

Dallas Divide Again

Sneffels from DD

I don't have any pics of Ouray in the summer. But I can throw in an Ice Fest pics. With the low cloud level, it isn't that scenic.

**smmokan** · 05-02-2007, 10:19 AM

So basically what you're saying, is that I can't go wrong in either place?

**Kevo** · 05-02-2007, 10:25 AM

Yep, you definitely can't go wrong with either place. And if you climb Sneffels, you might just get a look at some of the stuff you'd be seeing from Telluride anyway.

Think of Ouray as little Estes Park with better views.
Think of Telluride as little Aspen with the best views in the state.

**rip** · 05-02-2007, 10:26 AM

random question - sort of related

How easy is it to find free or cheap camping in or around these towns?

**lemon boy** · 05-02-2007, 10:31 AM

ummmm as easy as finding any national forest land.

**uglymoney** · 05-02-2007, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by rip

random question - sort of related

How easy is it to find free or cheap camping in or around these towns?

About the same level of difficulty as finding a gravel road to drive up, or down. Alta Lakes campground is right outside of T-Ride and its flippen as beautiful as you can get, especially at night under a full moon and free.

**Danno** · 05-02-2007, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by smmokan

Thanks BZ.... we actually found lodging in T-Ride a little cheaper than Ouray (for the same level of "niceness"). I was also thinking the drive from T-Ride down to Durango would be more scenic than from Ouray to Durango- is that a correct assumption?

Nope. Both drives are scenic, but overall, Ouray to Durango is more scenic than T-Ride to Durango.

Originally Posted by Kevo

Well, you could always Climb mount Sneffels, which is between Ouray and Telluride.

In my experience, the drive from Ouray to Durango is more scenic than the Drive from Telluride to Durango, except for Lizard Head Pass, which will only be 1/4 of the trip if you go on paved roads. Red Mountain Pass is beautiful. I think it is also important to note that driving from Ouray to Durango (3 mountain passes, and people instinctively drive really slow on red mountain) will probably take you more time than Telluride to Durango (Lizard Head Pass and then some fairly straight roads you can drive fast on).

Sneffels is a great climb, gives you a very "mountaineer" feeling but easy enough that anyone fit can do it.

However, the part about Ouray to Durango taking longer than TRide to Durango is simply not true. If there's a difference it's less than 10 minutes. Ouray to Silverton shouldn't take more than an hour, and Silverton to Durango is also about an hour. TRide to Durango is about 2 hours too.

Is Mesa Verde already on your itinerary? Because if not, and you're in that general vicinity, I'd put that above a hike or 4 wheel drive.

**Kevo** · 05-02-2007, 11:15 AM

^good to note. The last time I drove either of them I was driving a 14 passenger van with a trailer, so my experience may be a bit skewed.

**smmokan** · 05-02-2007, 11:45 AM

Danno- Mesa Verde is definitely on the itinerary. After we stop in Ouray or Telluride, we're staying in Durango for a few days, doing MV one of them. Another day there will probably be the train or a 4x4 day, and then we're going to the Sand Dunes on the way back to Denver.

**homerjay** · 05-02-2007, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by smmokan

Danno- Mesa Verde is definitely on the itinerary. After we stop in Ouray or Telluride, we're staying in Durango for a few days, doing MV one of them. Another day there will probably be the train or a 4x4 day, and then we're going to the Sand Dunes on the way back to Denver.

If you ride the train, only go one way. Trust me.

**FrankZappa** · 05-02-2007, 12:02 PM

You did say the middle of July and you may want to see if your schedule is when T-ride I believe may be having some sort of music fest (usually like the 3rd weekend of the month and typically a crowd from Wed thru Mon). Those can be a cluster but maybe thats your bag. If so try T-ride, if not go the Ouray route. Either way, mid July is pretty full on touristas so just be prepared to take your time and smell the flowers along the drive. It's no problem getting away from them once you step off the beaten path.

I hope the fire season doesn't spoil any views or plans for you - Maybe monsoon season will be here early by then to cool things down - cause I'm a lil afraid the SW is set to cook this year. Just bringing this up so you might want to plan a bit of flexability in there.

You won't loose whatever path you take.