Mesa Verde national park isn't too far away for a day trip
The last time we were in that area was in 2009. We stayed in an RV park/campground northwest of Pagosa Springs called Sportsman's Campground and Mountain Cabins. A good part of the John Wayne movie, The Cowboys, was filmed there. If you happen to go up that way, stop near the Piedra River to check out the bluffs around the river. Very impressive.
Ditto on Mesa Verde, and if you want to see about all of it, count on it being a full day. There is a lot to see on the mesa. Maps are available on the website I linked. Speaking of Mesa Verde, I need to get busy and upload some pictures from there to my Smugmug page.
As for Great Sand Dunes, on your way up off of Highway 160 and up on Highway 150 towards the dunes, watch to the right for a turnoff to Zapata Falls. The falls is located back inside of a cave, so it might require walking in the stream to get back in there. Even if you don't go in to see the falls, it is cool there, especially compared to the heat of the Great Sand Dunes. Use Google Images to check out some of the photos of the falls. I have some that I took, but lighting back in that cave isn't great and the falls (and stream) was running pretty heavy and putting up a lot of spray. Thus, no really good photos.
Oh, and that picture of the road at Red Mountain Pass is the straight section. As the driver, you will be busy with curves and such, thus missing the opportunity to see a lot. Now, if you were 4-wheeling, north of Silverton is an access to the Alpine Loop. I agree with checking out Molas Lake Campground south of Silverton, provided you drive a personal vehicle up there. We camped there a couple of years ago.
If you like waterfalls, Treasure Falls is right along Highway 160, and if I remember right, there is a road off of Highway 160 to go to Silver Falls. I also think both are just east of Pagosa Springs, so both could be checked out in an afternoon or morning.
Ditto on Mesa Verde, and if you want to see about all of it, count on it being a full day. There is a lot to see on the mesa. Maps are available on the website I linked. Speaking of Mesa Verde, I need to get busy and upload some pictures from there to my Smugmug page.
As for Great Sand Dunes, on your way up off of Highway 160 and up on Highway 150 towards the dunes, watch to the right for a turnoff to Zapata Falls. The falls is located back inside of a cave, so it might require walking in the stream to get back in there. Even if you don't go in to see the falls, it is cool there, especially compared to the heat of the Great Sand Dunes. Use Google Images to check out some of the photos of the falls. I have some that I took, but lighting back in that cave isn't great and the falls (and stream) was running pretty heavy and putting up a lot of spray. Thus, no really good photos.
Oh, and that picture of the road at Red Mountain Pass is the straight section. As the driver, you will be busy with curves and such, thus missing the opportunity to see a lot. Now, if you were 4-wheeling, north of Silverton is an access to the Alpine Loop. I agree with checking out Molas Lake Campground south of Silverton, provided you drive a personal vehicle up there. We camped there a couple of years ago.
If you like waterfalls, Treasure Falls is right along Highway 160, and if I remember right, there is a road off of Highway 160 to go to Silver Falls. I also think both are just east of Pagosa Springs, so both could be checked out in an afternoon or morning.
Even more fun on a motorcycle
Laying in a motel bed in Pagosa typing this. On our way home from a week of cliff hanging (jeeping) the Silverton, Ouray, Animas Fork area.
Treasure falls back to the east of Pagosa near Wolf Creek Pass, approx 15 miles watch for a signs and the mass of cars parked. You will need to hike up some but worth it.
Continue east to Wolf Creek Pass, enjoy the views and a cool tunnel you drive through. Top of Wolf Creek Pass, turn north and head up to the watch tower, usually snow till July sometimes longer.
Day trip to Creede is also an experience. Mine tour, shopping (fudge store) mining area behind Creede is a must. The rock collection you'll want to take home will challenge the weight limit of your vehicle.
Plan a full day, and then some, to visit Silverton. After your wife finishes shopping, make the 10 mile trip to Animas Fork (pickup/suv recommended). On the way to Animas Fork, stop at the Ore Mill ($7), the tour is best if you watch the video prior to self guided tour. Then up the road a couple miles to Old One Hundred Mine and take the tour ($16/18 head), the kids will remember! Then to Animas Fork. Several old buildings standing.
Next, 4wd required, continue to the left up to California Pass (12,900 ft.). Great views all around.
BTW when trails say 4×4, this does not always mean rough terrain just very steep inclines where low gear will be required. Years ago, I had a 2nd suburban that we tried to drive up behind Creede. It stopped moving less than halfway up and I had to back down about 3/4 mile to turn around.
I'll post some pics later after getting home.
First Moose with rack (still in velvet) we happened across yesterday on MDH from Silverton back to Ouray. Too many mule deer to count right next to the road.
Forgot. Eat at Tequilas on the river in Pagosa. Fajitas fill the plate and the margaritas are fantastic. Sit outside and watch the people float by. Fishing ponds out back of where we are staying have lively trout popping top water tonight and a beaver building a new hut. Couple of decent fishing lakes are really close. 27 hole golf course in town also. Visit Chimney Rock 5 miles west of Pagosa. It's an archeological dig with several building unearthed. We watched earlier this evening the Cowboy Quick Draw competition. Wax bullets in a 45 drilled out to accept a shotgun primer, no powder. Pretty cool. They have a club in Tulsa. Speed! .480 sec was the fastest we saw and that was only the women.
More I can't think of at the moment.
One thing I can't stand is the smell of "hooch" nearly everywhere here.
Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk
Treasure falls back to the east of Pagosa near Wolf Creek Pass, approx 15 miles watch for a signs and the mass of cars parked. You will need to hike up some but worth it.
Continue east to Wolf Creek Pass, enjoy the views and a cool tunnel you drive through. Top of Wolf Creek Pass, turn north and head up to the watch tower, usually snow till July sometimes longer.
Day trip to Creede is also an experience. Mine tour, shopping (fudge store) mining area behind Creede is a must. The rock collection you'll want to take home will challenge the weight limit of your vehicle.
Plan a full day, and then some, to visit Silverton. After your wife finishes shopping, make the 10 mile trip to Animas Fork (pickup/suv recommended). On the way to Animas Fork, stop at the Ore Mill ($7), the tour is best if you watch the video prior to self guided tour. Then up the road a couple miles to Old One Hundred Mine and take the tour ($16/18 head), the kids will remember! Then to Animas Fork. Several old buildings standing.
Next, 4wd required, continue to the left up to California Pass (12,900 ft.). Great views all around.
BTW when trails say 4×4, this does not always mean rough terrain just very steep inclines where low gear will be required. Years ago, I had a 2nd suburban that we tried to drive up behind Creede. It stopped moving less than halfway up and I had to back down about 3/4 mile to turn around.
I'll post some pics later after getting home.
First Moose with rack (still in velvet) we happened across yesterday on MDH from Silverton back to Ouray. Too many mule deer to count right next to the road.
Forgot. Eat at Tequilas on the river in Pagosa. Fajitas fill the plate and the margaritas are fantastic. Sit outside and watch the people float by. Fishing ponds out back of where we are staying have lively trout popping top water tonight and a beaver building a new hut. Couple of decent fishing lakes are really close. 27 hole golf course in town also. Visit Chimney Rock 5 miles west of Pagosa. It's an archeological dig with several building unearthed. We watched earlier this evening the Cowboy Quick Draw competition. Wax bullets in a 45 drilled out to accept a shotgun primer, no powder. Pretty cool. They have a club in Tulsa. Speed! .480 sec was the fastest we saw and that was only the women.
More I can't think of at the moment.
One thing I can't stand is the smell of "hooch" nearly everywhere here.
Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk
yep, these guys will give you a good time for sure
This a really nice public range and all free
http://www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/bayfieldco/page-8.php
Lots of stuff to do at Vallecito. Rent a kayak and then go to Vallecito Market for a fantastic lunch. It's a total hole in the wall but the food is great!
http://www.vallecitolakechamber.com/recreation
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Thanks for the input. We'll be taking my truck if we go so some of the suggested routes won't be an issue.
I was talking to the Mrs last night. She kept hinting at a beach vacation. Then said she wanted to do something different. Well summer family vacation in the mountains hasn't been done yet.
I was talking to the Mrs last night. She kept hinting at a beach vacation. Then said she wanted to do something different. Well summer family vacation in the mountains hasn't been done yet.
Tell her she can possibly find a beach on either a lake or along the Animas River. Just avoid the area where the locals "moon" those riding the trains.
