High Passes and Great Canyons in Colorado

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Monday, 17 May: Our first destination was Great Sand Dunes National Park near Alamosa, CO. The dunes were visible from several miles away and made a striking picture with the snow covered mountains behind the dunes and Medano Creek in front. The creek was full of people splashing and wading, while others were climbing the dunes, the tallest of which is 750' high.

From there we travelled west to South Fork where we turned onto Hwy 149, the "Silver Thread Scenic Trail," a beautiful drive through valleys surrounded by snow-capped mountains and over two high passes, Spring Creek Pass at 10,901' (which was also our first crossing of the continental divide) and Slumgullion Pass at 11,361'. We stopped at an overlook where we viewed the headwaters of the Rio Grande. After crossing Slumgullion (where there was lots of snow still on the ground) we had a steep downhill run to Lake City. Shortly after crossing the pass, Gena and Bob pulled over because their engine was racing, and we pulled over because our brakes overheated and were fading. Needless to say, we were all happy to get to flatter ground. Once past Lake City, the road was easier and we had a beautiful run alongside the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. On Hwy 50 we drove along past the lakes of the Curecanti National Recreation Area before stopping in Cimarron for the night.

Tuesday, 18 May: This morning we drove to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park near Montrose, CO. This is one of our favorites. It has such magnificent beauty with amazing colors in its canyon walls and the Gunnison River running through it.

From Montrose we headed south on the "Million Dollar Highway" through the touristy towns of Ouray and Silverton to Durango. Again we crossed high passes: Red Mountain Pass at 11,008', Molas Divide at 10,910' and Coal Bank Pass at 10,840'. It was snowing above 9,000' and that added to the tension of winding roads and hot brakes. We had to stop in Durango for ice cream so we could unclench whatever body parts were clenched. We got rain in Durango and it continued until we reached Mesa Verde. Once the rain stopped, we were rewarded with a gorgeous full rainbow and dry weather to set up the campers.

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Photos

Great Sand Dunes NP
Amazing dunes,beautiful mountains

Headwaters of the Rio Grande
viewed from Silver Thread Scenic Trail

Curecanti Natl Rec Area
Beautiful lakes, striking rock formations

Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP
from the first overlook

Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP
Here we are by the painted wall, two old folks with our canes.

Bear Creek
waterfall along the Million Dollar Highway

snow in the mountains
sometimes the snow was so heavy we couldn't see the tops of the mountains

Red Mountain Pass
Kerry in the snow

Rainbow's end
with Mesa Verde in the background

Comments

[Aunt Suzie]

Beautiful pictures
What amazingly breathtaking pictures. I can just imagine how awesome it is to see all that beauty in person. You all are not old folks!!!!! Old folks would not attempt a trip like that. I am so very happy for you all that your "get up and go" has not "gone off and went"! Love, Aunt Suzie

[anonymous]

what is that thing on your ankle!!!!

[laurie Gray]

We're close by!
Just thought I'd let you know that we're in Zion National Park as of Wed May 19 and heading to Bryce NP. I'm thinking that we might be in the same part of the country! Our plans are to head up north through Salt Lake City, Boise, and then home by about May 25-26. I just have this feeling that our paths will cross very SOON!

[anonymous]

Actually, I think you two make an adorable "old" couple!!!!

[anonymous]

PS: I can say that 'cause I am so very much older than you.......

[Pat]

I must have missed something??
Why are you two with canes, I can see Kerry with a cast?? What the hell happened with you guys?