Durango is about 28 miles from Mesa Verde RV Park (where we were staying). Wanting to see this town in SW CO, we drove to the Visitor Center to determine what we might want to do there. They had tons of information about the area and very helpful staff (www.durango.org/listings/category/historic-downtown).
First, we walked around the Historic District where many buildings from the late 1800s are still in use. The grand Strater Hotel opened in 1888 and The Rochester in 1892. Both have been fully renovated.
Our sweet doggie, Sadie, did not know what to think of this stuffed bear! And seeing marijuana dispensaries here in CO is still surprising to us.
And, we walked through Buckley Park...a nice oasis in this town of 8,000.
The Animas River runs through Durango. The Animas River Trail at Riverfront Park is a great way to enjoy it.
Mining artifacts used in the region are on display near the bridge.
As we walked along the trail, we came upon this sculpture and Viet Nam Memorial. Both were very fitting along the scenic banks of the river.
As usual, I snapped a couple of close-ups of flowers. Rafting, kayaking and canoeing are popular activities on the Animas River.
Returning to our car, we headed to the San Juan Skyway, considered one of the most scenic areas in the country. We decided to drive to Ouray, CO (75 miles from Durango), not the entire loop drive (over 200 miles). Paleo Indians first arrived in the San Juan Mountains about 10,000 years ago. Ute Indians hunted and gathered in the wilderness of San Juan Mountains for several thousand years.
Our first stop along the scenic drive was at Pinkerton Hot Springs. Although this area was Ute territory, settlers began invading it in the 1860s. Pinkerton was a judge who raised cattle here and built a bath complex for his guests (1878). Pinkerton-in-the-Pines Resort eventually followed where a large, naturally-heated pool was available for use by guests.
Below is Haviland Lake, part of a State Wildlife Area.
At Cool Bank Pass (elevation 10,660), our sweet doggie, Sadie, had fun eating some snow. There are over 100 avalanche paths across the highway from here to Ouray. Those traveling through the region must check avalanche risks in advance as they can be deadly.
Molas Pass Recreation Area was our next stop (elevation 10,899’). A popular ski area in the winter; hiking and water activities at Andrews Lake are available during warmer weather.
Founded in 1874, Silverton is a National Historic Landmark today. The elaborate Victorian buildings reflect the millions of dollars of gold and silver mined here. At the peak of its mining years, there were over 40 gambling halls, saloons, and sporting houses.
There were still lots of snow-covered mountains along this scenic route.
Mining began in the 1870s in the Red Mountains. In a 17-square mile area, there were over 100 historic mines that produced: 4M ounces of gold, 21M ounces of silver, 12M tons of lead, zinc and copper. Wow!
The Idarado Mine Trestle was used to remove and dump waste rock from the Idarado Mine (closed in 1978). Nearby are remnants of a small mining community. In the 1980s, Idarado Mining Company began remediation work here to improve water quality and aquatic habitat (even though they did not own the mines that left the debris behind).
Our next stop was at scenic Bear Creek Falls where a new bridge was constructed in 2010. This was the location in the late 1800s where a toll both was situated. Otto Mears and Fred Walsen built the 12-mile Ouray & Red Mountain Toll Road through the treacherous Uncompahgre River Canyon. The cost was $10,000 per mile, an astronomical expense at the time. They collected $5/wagon and $1/head of livestock at the booth. In 1891, Ouray County took control of the road; and then in 1917 by the Colorado Highway Department.
In the distance is Mt. Abrams (volcanic mountain) and the Uncompahgre River can be seen at the bottom on the canyon.
Look Out Point at Ouray, CO, provides a great view of the historic town.
We returned to Mancos via Durango having thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of the San Juan Mountains. If you like scenic drives, don’t miss the Million Dollar Highway section between Silverton and Ouray on the Skyway.
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