We spent 2 weeks on our recent trip and had a fabulous time. Amazing scenery, excellent beer and tasty food, what's not to like? Thanks to all those who gave helpful advice before we went. It was great to meet Peetz Pool Boy in Telluride, good dude! We hung out on one of the decks at Mountain Village overlooking the golf course. Thanks for the beers!
By comparison here are the pics from our trip in 2008, The only repeat place we visited this time was Pikes Peak, which is now paved to the top.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/5464147726375081713?banner=pwa
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/5461504770528258065?banner=pwa
Day 1: Arrive Denver 11am, shuttle to the Doubletree on Quebec Street and picked up the rental car from Avis. Saved a $1000 from renting at the airport. Drove to Silt for the night, which is 20 miles west of Glenwood Springs. Took the detour over Loveland Pass on the way out I-70. Checked out a pot store in Silt and the gentleman working was so knowledgeable and informative. We found it fascinating and told him if it were only 25 years ago
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185584454489697009?banner=pwa
Day 2: Grand Mesa and Colorado National Monument, spent the night in Grand Junction. We liked GJ, attended the farmer's market on Main St and enjoyed our meal at Rockslide Brewery.
Driving to Lands End and Observation Point is a must at Grand Mesa, terrific views.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185585354042785201?banner=pwa
Colorado National Monument was very cool, reminded us of Arches.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185606862797017297?banner=pwa
Day 3: *** This was the hidden gem on our trip*** The scenery on the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic Byway to Telluride just blew us away. The ride through the canyons around Gateway reminded us of Zion NP, spectacular.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185620237048214465?banner=pwa
Day 4: After a rainy night in Telluride with a quality dinner at Brown Dog Pizza, the clouds finally broke late in the morning. and we did the hike to Bear Creek Falls. Good way to spend a few hours. Packed a lunch and ate in the opening before the falls.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185628881105227153?banner=pwa
After the hike we took the gondola over to Mountain Village. On the return we stopped at Alfred's at the top for a couple drinks and enjoyed the view. Dinner was at Smuggler's Brewpub, excellent!
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185623746654940753?banner=pwa
Day 5: ***This was the highlight of our trip*** Today was our half day jeep tour with Telluride Offroad Adventures to Imogene Pass. Great outfit and our guide Mitch was outstanding. We only had one other couple with us. Their vehicles are unique, not like typical jeeps. Best views of the trip! Met Peetz Pool Boy for drinks and back to town. Dinner on our last night was at Floradora Saloon, hit the spot!
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185630447136154289?banner=pwa
Day 6: Today we left Telluride and headed to Mancos and Mesa Verde National Park.
After checking in at Mancos we drove to the park and got tickets for Balcony House later in the afternoon, but Cliff House was sold out. We also purchased tickets for Long House the following morning. We did Spruce House and the Mesa Top Loop before Balcony House. The following morning we did the self guided Step House tour right when the trail was open. It was great, we were the only one's there.
Both Long House and Balcony House were unique and different, getting to both sides of the park are must does. Not as crowded at Long House, but both are worth it.Long House was a 2.5 mile round trip. It amazes me how these Native Americans could live in the middle of a canyon cliff and call it home.
Stop at the Mancos Brewing Company after the park, loved their IPA. Technically closed, the owner let me try a draught and purchase a 22oz bottle to go. Good guy!
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185636975854527041?banner=pwa
Day 7: It took us 90 minutes to drive from the Long House parking lot to Durango. First stop was the Ska Brewing Company, cool place! Good IPA's like Mancos. Went to Steamworks for dinner, another good meal with fine beers.
Day 8: On to Ouray and the Million Dollar Highway. We stopped and had a picnic lunch at Molas Lake. Picturesque to say the least. This was prior to taking in the views at Andrews Lake and Molas Pass. Spent an hour in Silverton, neat town. It's obvious that the Durango-Silverton Trains drives the economy here. Stopped at the Avalanche Brewing Company (see a theme here?) and tried some suds. Not as good as some as the others, but I always support local breweries. I added the Ska Brewery pics to this album.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185638532410484097?banner=pwa
Day 9: On our full day in Ouray we hiked the Ouray Perimeter Trail. Most of it was very scenic and highlights included Lower Cascade Falls, Potato Patch and the Box Canyon. It's about a 5 mile loop. The Ouray Brewing Company was spot on. Great views from the roof.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185643927307562209?banner=pwa
Day 10: On to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP. One of those places one must see in person. Those 2500 foot cliffs are incredible! We walked to every overlook including Warner Trail and drove East Portal Road to the bottom. See it all if possible, spent the night in Gunnison.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185646878108992689?banner=pwa
Day 11: Drove to Alamosa via the Silver Thread Scenic Byway. We ran into some nasty storms on the way to Creede, but managed to see San Cristabol Lake, Sherman Historic Townsite, Windy Point Overlook and North Clear Creek Falls.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185653629725142769?banner=pwa
Day 12: Great Sand Dunes National Park. Another must see in person to appreciate its enormous landscape, amazing. After a couple hours of traveling through the dunes we made it to High Dune (700 ft), terrific views from the top. *** Do not have exposed feet in the summer, they will get burned. Drove to Colorado Springs after the GSDNP. Stopped at the Bristol Brewing Company in CS, located in a renovated school house, very cool!
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185658568020129713?banner=pwa
Day 13: Drove up Pikes Peak before heading to Denver. This was the only repeat visit from our trip in '08. In Denver we stopped in the Station 26 Brewing Company which was a brewery made into an old firehouse. It was down the street from the Doubletree on Quebec Street. For Dinner we went to the Highland Tavern. Saw it on Triple D (Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives) and it did not disappoint, sandwiches were outrageous.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185661151711946225?banner=pwa
Day 14: Flew home from Denver
I was surprised on this trip that we literally saw no wildlife in 2 weeks. No biggie as we've seen lots on previous trips out west. Just found it unusual.
By comparison here are the pics from our trip in 2008, The only repeat place we visited this time was Pikes Peak, which is now paved to the top.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/5464147726375081713?banner=pwa
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/5461504770528258065?banner=pwa
Day 1: Arrive Denver 11am, shuttle to the Doubletree on Quebec Street and picked up the rental car from Avis. Saved a $1000 from renting at the airport. Drove to Silt for the night, which is 20 miles west of Glenwood Springs. Took the detour over Loveland Pass on the way out I-70. Checked out a pot store in Silt and the gentleman working was so knowledgeable and informative. We found it fascinating and told him if it were only 25 years ago
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185584454489697009?banner=pwa
Day 2: Grand Mesa and Colorado National Monument, spent the night in Grand Junction. We liked GJ, attended the farmer's market on Main St and enjoyed our meal at Rockslide Brewery.
Driving to Lands End and Observation Point is a must at Grand Mesa, terrific views.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185585354042785201?banner=pwa
Colorado National Monument was very cool, reminded us of Arches.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185606862797017297?banner=pwa
Day 3: *** This was the hidden gem on our trip*** The scenery on the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic Byway to Telluride just blew us away. The ride through the canyons around Gateway reminded us of Zion NP, spectacular.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185620237048214465?banner=pwa
Day 4: After a rainy night in Telluride with a quality dinner at Brown Dog Pizza, the clouds finally broke late in the morning. and we did the hike to Bear Creek Falls. Good way to spend a few hours. Packed a lunch and ate in the opening before the falls.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185628881105227153?banner=pwa
After the hike we took the gondola over to Mountain Village. On the return we stopped at Alfred's at the top for a couple drinks and enjoyed the view. Dinner was at Smuggler's Brewpub, excellent!
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185623746654940753?banner=pwa
Day 5: ***This was the highlight of our trip*** Today was our half day jeep tour with Telluride Offroad Adventures to Imogene Pass. Great outfit and our guide Mitch was outstanding. We only had one other couple with us. Their vehicles are unique, not like typical jeeps. Best views of the trip! Met Peetz Pool Boy for drinks and back to town. Dinner on our last night was at Floradora Saloon, hit the spot!
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185630447136154289?banner=pwa
Day 6: Today we left Telluride and headed to Mancos and Mesa Verde National Park.
After checking in at Mancos we drove to the park and got tickets for Balcony House later in the afternoon, but Cliff House was sold out. We also purchased tickets for Long House the following morning. We did Spruce House and the Mesa Top Loop before Balcony House. The following morning we did the self guided Step House tour right when the trail was open. It was great, we were the only one's there.
Both Long House and Balcony House were unique and different, getting to both sides of the park are must does. Not as crowded at Long House, but both are worth it.Long House was a 2.5 mile round trip. It amazes me how these Native Americans could live in the middle of a canyon cliff and call it home.
Stop at the Mancos Brewing Company after the park, loved their IPA. Technically closed, the owner let me try a draught and purchase a 22oz bottle to go. Good guy!
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185636975854527041?banner=pwa
Day 7: It took us 90 minutes to drive from the Long House parking lot to Durango. First stop was the Ska Brewing Company, cool place! Good IPA's like Mancos. Went to Steamworks for dinner, another good meal with fine beers.
Day 8: On to Ouray and the Million Dollar Highway. We stopped and had a picnic lunch at Molas Lake. Picturesque to say the least. This was prior to taking in the views at Andrews Lake and Molas Pass. Spent an hour in Silverton, neat town. It's obvious that the Durango-Silverton Trains drives the economy here. Stopped at the Avalanche Brewing Company (see a theme here?) and tried some suds. Not as good as some as the others, but I always support local breweries. I added the Ska Brewery pics to this album.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185638532410484097?banner=pwa
Day 9: On our full day in Ouray we hiked the Ouray Perimeter Trail. Most of it was very scenic and highlights included Lower Cascade Falls, Potato Patch and the Box Canyon. It's about a 5 mile loop. The Ouray Brewing Company was spot on. Great views from the roof.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185643927307562209?banner=pwa
Day 10: On to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP. One of those places one must see in person. Those 2500 foot cliffs are incredible! We walked to every overlook including Warner Trail and drove East Portal Road to the bottom. See it all if possible, spent the night in Gunnison.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185646878108992689?banner=pwa
Day 11: Drove to Alamosa via the Silver Thread Scenic Byway. We ran into some nasty storms on the way to Creede, but managed to see San Cristabol Lake, Sherman Historic Townsite, Windy Point Overlook and North Clear Creek Falls.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185653629725142769?banner=pwa
Day 12: Great Sand Dunes National Park. Another must see in person to appreciate its enormous landscape, amazing. After a couple hours of traveling through the dunes we made it to High Dune (700 ft), terrific views from the top. *** Do not have exposed feet in the summer, they will get burned. Drove to Colorado Springs after the GSDNP. Stopped at the Bristol Brewing Company in CS, located in a renovated school house, very cool!
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185658568020129713?banner=pwa
Day 13: Drove up Pikes Peak before heading to Denver. This was the only repeat visit from our trip in '08. In Denver we stopped in the Station 26 Brewing Company which was a brewery made into an old firehouse. It was down the street from the Doubletree on Quebec Street. For Dinner we went to the Highland Tavern. Saw it on Triple D (Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives) and it did not disappoint, sandwiches were outrageous.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/6185661151711946225?banner=pwa
Day 14: Flew home from Denver
I was surprised on this trip that we literally saw no wildlife in 2 weeks. No biggie as we've seen lots on previous trips out west. Just found it unusual.
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