Pagosa Springs, CO
Pagosa Springs is most known as a tourist draw, with a really elaborate hot springs (hence the name). Yesterday we enjoyed the Springs with its 17 pools, all different temperatures (from 85 to 111 degrees). Today, we drove to the mountains but were about 2 weeks to early for colors. But it was a great drive, and we ended at Treasure Falls.
On the back “road”
A look over the valley
Treasure Falls, 300 feet high
This is the main Springs. The mound is calcified water minerals.
A view across the river at the Hot Sprnigs resort
Romola testing the hot waters at one of the springs
Nice view up the river, mountains behind
Million Dollar Highway, new snow
The name “million dollar highway” is justified by it’s extensive views. This stretch through the gorge is challenging and potentially hazardous to drive; it is characterized by steep cliffs, narrow lanes, and a lack of guardrails; the ascent of Red Mountain Pass is marked with a number of hairpin curves used to gain elevation, and again, narrow lanes for traffic—many cut directly into the sides of mountains.
Yesterday we drove to Ouray (from Durango) and were amazed at the views. It was enhanced with the first snow fall of the season, adding to the scenic wonders. And also the aspen tree color changes….
The road was first constructed as a toll road in the 1880 by Otto Mears to connect several mining towns.. Now, it is a scenic wonder, but you better be prepared especially south bound…. travel south from Ouray to Silverton perches drivers on the vertiginous outside edge of the highway. Apart from one nervous incident with an oncoming truck, it was a pleasant drive.
This shows the type of road. There were worse sections, but no way to take a picture
New snow on the mountains
Mt. Engineer, where we hiked four days ago
This is where we started our hike four days ago
Scenic vistas
Scenic vistas
Scenic vistas
Whew— more scenic vistas
Snow covered evergreen trees
Fall colors are really starting to show
This waterfall is right in one of the sharp bends, and has an overlook to look down it… scary!
Quite a waterfall, right next to the road
The town of Ouray, CO
Aspen trees in all their fall glory
My favorite scene
Lake reflections
Reflections and colors
Winter is right around the corner
Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde is best known for cliff dwellings, which are structures built within caves and under outcroppings in cliffs. They were occupied by the Anasazi indians from about 700 to 1300. There was a 24 year drought (beginning in 1274) and the native population moved away, leaving villages and cliff dwellings.
The Anasazi were well known for their pottery and basket weaving. They left a rich history of an age now almost forgotten. We were privileged to visit this site, which was set aside as a National Park by President Roosevelt in 1904.
A corn grinding room
Looking inside one of the kivas
Some decorations at the entry to a Kiva
They built all the way up to the “roof”
Must take a lot of work
Looking inside a cliff dwelling kiva
There are rooms below the floor, climb the ladder to get down
A lot of work went into these, everything had to be carried in
Seniors getting high
Today Romola and I hiked at the highest altitude ever… our hike topped out at 12,000 ft. Actually, it wasn’t TOO bad, we started at 10,600. The hike took us up above the tree line of Engineer Mountain, between Durango and Silverton. But it was a very enjoyable 5 miles, and the scenery was just incredible.
Start of the hike, Coal Bank Pass
We weren’t alone, a cowboy took a train of horses up ahead of us (not fun)
Approaching the tree line of Engineer Mountain.
Romola, near the top
Amazing scenery
Mountains everywhere
Silverton, Colorado
The road from Durango to Silverton is rated as one of the most scenic roads in the USA. And haven driven it, we can only agree. In addition, the aspen trees are just starting to color, making for some added color. Certainly lived up to its reputation. The road is pretty high in altitude, topping out at close to 11,000 feet.
Silverton is a former silver mining town (duh) and is at 9,400 ft altitude. Population about 500, so small. It is now in the Nation Historic Landmark District. The Durango-Silverton train brings many tourists daily, so here are many cute shops and restaurants. We enjoyed our lunch at the Pickle Barrel.
Leaving Durango behind, in the Animas River valley
Aspen trees starting to change colors
A view from Coal Bank Pass
Awwww, shucks, here we are
Going down to Silverton
Looking down toSilverton from the road
Main Street, Silverton, the only paved street in town
Main Street, Silverton
A dirt side road, big mountain in the back
Silverton court house
Pickle Barrel, where we had a good lunch
Local taxi cab
Some very colorfol houses
The train arriving at Silverton Station
You can certainly tell we are in the mountains!
Arches and Canyonlands NP
Somehow, 5 days in Moab just isn’t enough to see this amazing area. And you better make sure you have a large capacity memory card for your camera since there is an amazing picture every time you turn around. Here are just a few of them.
At Arches, we visited Delicate Arch, subject of a separate post. Then we did an evening/sunset view at Two Windows. It is just amazing how the setting sun colors the cliffs! And yes, it really does get that red.
At Canyonlands, we hiked up Upheaval Dome, a very unusual formation. It is still unknown what caused the unique formation: an eruption? a meteor strike? In any case, a wonderful view. And at Mesa Arch we caught the sunlight shining under the arch, very unusual. Finally, a short walk to Grand View point gave some amazing views.
Two Windows from a distance
Looking through North Window
The sun is starting to color the rocks. And the moon is up…. and I’m avoiding any other comments.
Yes, it really is that bright red!
Looking through South Window, clouds on the horizon
Early morning, looking towards Park Avenue
The sun is starting to light up the cliffs
The three gossips are waking up
The sun is striking the underside of Mesa Arch
A view under Mesa Arch
Romola on her way up to the viewpoint. It’s a 1000 foot drop right and left….
Overview of Upheaval Dome
A closer look at Upheaval Dome
Reflecting the clouds in a rain puddle
Grand view… what else is there to say?
And more Grand View
And even more Grand View
Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point is in the Canyonlands area of Moab. It is a remarkable area, with sweeping and dramatic vistas. Superb views of the Colorado River far below, highlighted by the red rock, and offset by the greenery from a recent rain. Beautiful.
This morning Les Cook joined us for a 5 mile hike along the west rim, followed by a return along the east rim. So we got to see both sides of this magnificent canyon. The enormous vistas, and deep drop offs, make you feel insignificant.
Twisted dead trees attest to the savage nature of this land
Les enjoying the canyon views
Green river, far below on the horizon
Romola giving additional beauty to the canyon
A stunted tree in front of an expansive view
Recent rain left puddles
You can see for miles and miles
Colorado River carving its way down the canyon
Delicate Arch, Moab
Did our first hike in Moab this trip. A little puffing due to the elevation, but otherwise a nice hike. A pretty steep climb on some slick rock, some rocky paths, and a narrow cliff side led us to the Delicate Arch itself. Worth every step to get there! Shifting cloud cover made the Arch almost animated, with shifting light play giving different looks.
We saw swollen streams caused by the recent heavy rains. Hard to photograph, but you can see the swirling sand in the stream surface. And there was pretty heavy erosion along the trail itself as well.
Heavy recent rain causes strong streams carrying sand
Even the slick rock areas had puddles of water in depressions.
On the slick rock, heading up
The drop-offs don’t bother Romola much
Cliff side, on the way up
The Delicate arch itself
The sun angle makes for different “looks” of the arch
A different view when heading back
A last waterfall hike
Well, we will shortly leave the NorthWest, and it was inevitable…. our last waterfall hike. Labor day, beautiful weather, so off to an early start. Good thing too, the trails and parking lots were jammed by the time we left.
Anyway, we chose Triple Falls. A moderate but steep and rough hike. And some serious drop offs right next to the trail, so we had to watch where we put our feet. But again we had a great hike, enjoyed every bit of it, both the uphill and downhill. And the waterfall was beautiful as well. Looking forward to next year!
The switch back gives some idea of the steepness of this trail.
Don’t look now, but that is a LONG way down on the left!
The trail gets narrower and bumpier as we get higher
A peaceful scene before the waterfall itself
Better have decent hiking shoes!
At last, Triple Falls
Latourell Falls and “town”
Our time in the Pacific Northwest is drawing to a close, and today we took one of our last waterfall hikes. This time, it was to Latourell Falls, about 40 miles from Portland in the Columbia Gorge. Not a difficult hike, maybe 1.5 miles and modest uphill. But a great view of Latourell Falls.
The bottom falls are an easy walk from the parking lot. A very short, steep, paved path takes you to a terrific view of Lower Falls. Then, a nice hike through heavy forests takes you to the upper falls, an entirely different look. There were some trees that exhibited strange growth patterns.
After that, we took the long ways down to visit the old 1880’s lumber town of Latourell. It’s mostly gone, but this was a bustling town in the late 1880’s. It boasted 6 saloons, hotels, and presumably other attractions for hard working men. It became a popular spot for Portlanders, who too a ferry up the Columbia, hiked to the town, and partied. Some even walked to the falls for a look. There isn’t much left, we found an old structure in the woods, as well as some of the last of the now deserted homes.
A view of Lower Latourell Falls, 246 ft high.
Upper Latourell Falls, probably some 200 ft tall.
Remains of an old structure in the hills
One of the remaining old homes, now abandoned
Romola by a strange tree
John by a strange tree
This bridge built by the CCC in the 1930’s
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