1/5: San Lorenzo Canyon and Bosque del Apache
8/8: Hovenweep NM / Canyon of the Ancients NM
“Safer at Home and the Colorado Great Outdoors 2020”
We are back in the shadow of the Sleeping Ute.
There were still ruins we had not seen and trails we had not traversed.
Holly ruins can be hiked from Hovenweep NM but we disperse camped at the trailhead.
Amazing how structures are built right from the rock like a medieval tower.
Painted Hand Tower was unique and a pleasant hike.
This is a panorama of the great kiva at Lowry Pueblo.
We hiked both ends of the Sand Canyon and disperse camped here on the upper north end one night with this view of the canyon…
…and these unique structures in alcoves were on the south end.
We walked around Hovenweep NM and marveled at the construction.
We appreciated the interesting cloud formations.
And were happy to to spot some wildlife with this lizard.
We enjoyed a spectacular sunset from the campground.
We left the Sleeping Ute in the rearview mirror as we finished our 27 days on the road.
7/8: Telluride to Lizard Head Pass, Colorado
“Safer at Home and the Colorado Great Outdoors 2020”
Always a free gondola from center of town up the mountain – spectacular!
Such a view without the hike! We loved doing something so different.
We had never seen so many aspens – let alone all golden together.
A bit of whimsy – it sure didn’t feel like jolly ole’ England.
Priest Lake and the splendid reflection.
Guess we better camp here and really appreciate the view!!!!
We day hike to nearby Trout Lake Trestle Bridge on the historic Rio Grande Southern Railroad route.
This was on the Galloping Goose Trail in recognition of these rail cars.
This is in Dolores by their train depot. It ran from Durango to Ridgeway.
Nearby is a water tower to replenish rail cars for steam locomotion.
We camped a few more nights at the top of Lizard Head Pass to appreciate the wilderness.
We hiked to the headwaters of the Dolores River, which joins the Gunnison, which joins the Colorado before heading to the Sea of Cotez.
One last fill of the unique Lizard Head mountain and cool fall air.
6/8: Mt Sneffels Wilderness, Colorado
“Safer at Home and the Colorado Great Outdoors 2020”
Perfect. The fall colors add so much to this reflection in the beaver pond.
We said we need to come back in the fall when we were here in July 2016.
The horses seem oblivious to their surroundings but add beauty to the vistas.
We found a great camp spot a bit closer to the trail.
Blue Lakes Trail heads into the Mount Sneffels Wilderness.
We enjoyed a short break at the first lake, wondering where the trail continued.
There is a view after we gained a few feet of elevation.
The upper lake we enjoyed for a while, where we saw a marmot while taking this picture.
And one final picture on the way down – wow!
5/8: Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado
“Safer at Home and the Colorado Great Outdoors 2020”
So many aspens! There is Gold in them there hills!
Howdy partner! We donned our masks to enjoy a walk around downtown Crested Butte.
Blue Mesa Reservoir is about 56 feet low due to water use fighting fires in California.
We camped 2 nights at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
We walked the rim trail with the gamble oaks red dramatically setting off the black rock.
Enjoying the splendor of the canyon.
Looking down, down, down at the Gunnison River.
We were last here in the spring of 2012.
4/8: Taylor Reservoir, Colorado
“Safer at Home and the Colorado Great Outdoors 2020”
Look at all those fourteeners! What a view.
A dispersed site off FS755 with a nice view of the reservoir and…
…A great view of the Collegiate Peaks – the other side is Buena Vista.
We hiked the road along Texas Creek enjoying the majestic mountains.
The bulldozer is maintaining the road and closing off illegal campsites.
A nice spot to hang out for lunch and while away a hour or so.
Another lunch spot and a few nights of camping in Taylor Park.
A day trip to this nearby mountain town.
A good wander around and a visit to the scenic historic cemetery.
We pulled up for a hike and stayed the night in this quiet spot.
A very nice bunch of aspens greeted the beginning of our hike.
Several stream crossings took careful attention…
…Or an opportunity to goof around.
But a peaceful destination to hang out was our reward.
3/8: Powderhorn Wilderness, Colorado
“Safer at Home and the Colorado Great Outdoors 2020”
We turned off Slumgullion Pass to Deer Lakes on the Cannibal Plateau in the Gunnison National Forest-
trying our best not to do an Alfred Packer
We found a great spot to camp next to this beaver pond – we watched several move branches across the pond and then disappear underwater.
A hike into the Powderhorn wilderness above our camp.
A peaceful way to enjoy a day. It is wonderful to be off the grid.
Heading back to our favorite campsite to watch the beaver family preparing for winter.
2/8: Rio Grande Reservoir, Colorado
“Safer at Home and the Colorado Great Outdoors 2020”
Still in the Rio Grande National Forest, we head up another valley.
We start above our camp at Thirty Mile Campground for our hike.
Checking the map while overlooking Rio Grande Reservoir.
Entering Weminuche Wilderness, the largest protected area in Colorado.
A bridge sturdy enough for horses crosses the start of the Rio Grande River.
Weminuche Pass is a relatively low crossing of the Continental Divide.
Finding the names for all the mountains while we take a break.
Enjoying the deer back at our camp site while we listened to the river.