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Great Sand Dunes NP
Amazing dunes,beautiful mountains 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
Headwaters of the Rio Grande
viewed from Silver Thread Scenic Trail 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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Aunt Suzie
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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