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Published: September 24th 2008
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Fall Colours Across the Animas River
This was the view from our campsite. Wednesday September 24, 2008 Two days ago in Moab, we looked at the weather in various places before deciding where to go next. Moab was great up ‘til then but a bit too hot for physical outdoor activities. With high winds whipping up all around, we were starting to eat and breathe serious dust. Time to move on. Arizona and southwest Utah are still in a serious heat wave with temps 36 C plus (100 F for the Americans reading this). Not comfortable for us northerners with no aircon in the camper part of this rig.
So we decided that east and a bit south was the way to go. Can’t stay away from the mountains! Durango Colorado looked interesting, had the right weather and we had heard from fellow campers about a great steam train ride into the San Juan Mountains from Durango to Silverton. There is also a 300 km scenic byways loop that goes up and over several 3,000+ metre (10,000 feet) mountain passes, which in the end we decided not to take because of the long drive.
Good luck on the internet located an RV camp along the Animas River 20 km north of
Animas River from Campsite
Fall colours in the distance. Durango, Colorado and a spot right on the river with gentle rapids lulling us to sleep.
While in Durango, we had looked up the Durango to Silverton narrow gauge railway and made a reservation for Tuesday morning at 9:00 AM. So on Tuesday morning we had to hustle to get up and drive back into Durango. Of course we took a wrong turn right out of the camp ground and spent extra time getting to the highway, but we arrived at the railway station with time to buy bagels and a McDonalds breakfast.
This train has operated for over 100 years on a 120 km route through the San Juan Mountains between Durango and the silver mining community of Silverton. It is a hit with locals who wave as the clouds of coal smoke and steam waft over their cars and homes. We reserved the cheap seats in a traditional train passenger car - other more affluent travelers had the open air car and dining car.
The route follows the Animas River, starting downtown, then through farm land and finally through the San Juan mountain wilderness. Digitally, Richard kept the GPS recording route and elevation and little
Animas River near Durango
Early in steam train ride clips of train sounds with the sound recorder, while Kayla operated the still and video cameras. Were we equipped or what!! We climbed from 2000 metres to 3000 metres, looked straight down 150 metres to the river canyon at one point, and all the time enjoyed the fall colours of Aspen in yellow mixed with White Pine and steep rock slopes along the river.
In Silverton we wandered around the historic town (aka tourist magnet) and then boarded the train for the return trip, now on the other side of the train for a different view of the scenery.
The trip lasted from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM so we got our moneys worth, but ate quite a bit of coal dust and smoke. Richard had to do three loops around the campground in the dark to get some exercise after sitting all day, not seeing the sign hanging on the washroom doors that said bears were visiting the campground.
The wireless internet from our camper is too weak to keep up to date with everyone so we enjoyed our pictures and went to bed early. Today we rest!!!
Because the nights are quite cool here,
Animas River Canyon
The river was 150 meters straight down the cliff! not quite down to freezing, the fall colours on the mountainside across the river have literally turned while we watched. The golds, crimsons and all variations in between are stunning, but a reminder to travelers that winter is not long for this busteling ski resort. With fall warmth enough for shorts during the day, and superb scenery all around, we took advantage of a few days sitting in one place. Kayla got her nails done (yeah!) Richard did some bird watching and filming. We plan to do some cycling on nearby country roads this afternoon. And a swim and soak in the nearby Trimble pool, hot springs and spa. What a life!
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