We departed Parachute Colorado, and as we left
there was a rainbow. Rainbows bring the promise that troubles of today will come to pass, hold strong in your faith and the rainbow will bring you
fresh beginnings and new prosperity. Ahhhhhhh, take a deep breath and enjoy the
beauty!
We took the “back road” US Route 6 W to 45 ½ Road. There are a
lot of roads in Colorado that are ½ roads … not sure why! We traveled on 6 W to
De Beque, where we got gas at Kum & Go. Gas is 30 cents cheaper, just 11 miles outside of Parachute.
Then we got on 45 ½ Road for 11
miles. It offered us some small switchbacks, but a newly paved road with steep canyon walls ans unique rock formations.
Highway 65, is also known as the Grand Mesa Scenic
Byway. But, first let me tell you about the Grand Mesa. It is the largest, flat-topped
mountain in the world, spanning 500 square miles and rising between 5,000 feet
and 11,237 feet of elevation. The top of the Grand Mesa is a layer of basalt
poured by lava approximately 10 million years ago which has protected the mesa
from the erosion.
The scenic byway follows Plateau Creek as it climbs
the canyon’s bluff and the Grand Mesa, passing farms and ranches on the way.
While Grand Mesa dominates the view, to the east, you can also see Chalk
Mountain.
Continuing on the byway, you enter the Grand Mesa
National Forest.
At this overlook you are greeted by one of the many
scenic overlooks, this one with fabulous views of the Debeque Canyon,
aspen-covered slopes, and some of Grand Mesa’s 300 lakes. The fall offers the
view of the aspen leaves changing and the forest gleams like a golden treasure.
The Grand Mesa Scenic Byway winds through 63 miles of
the national forest, providing beautiful views. In the winter, Grand Mesa, which is home to Powderhorn
Mountain. Tucked alongside the northern edge of this beautiful Mesa,
Powderhorn Mountain Resort offers breathtaking views, on over 1,600 acres of
mountain terrain. It offers all levels of mountain terrain for skiing. In the
summer, you can enjoy lift rides, lift-accessed mountain biking trails, and hiking.
After a couple of bends, you arrive at the Grand Mesa
Visitor Center where you can learn more about the Grand Mesa through exhibits. The area is home to a unique High-Altitude Native Garden and interpretive hiking trail.
Surrounding the visitor center are several lakes and
campgrounds where you can enjoy hiking, boating, and fishing.
Along the road, you will notice the environment
change from lush grass into drier sagebrush.
At the Cedaredge Overlook, you can get a glimpse of the town below. Looks like it is a bit foggy, we might be getting some rain soon! From here, the road descends towards Cedaredge
passing apple orchards and fruit stands.
In Cedaredge, the Byway Welcome Center provides more
information about the scenic byway we just drove. But the most interesting stop
here is Pioneer Town, which explores the frontier life of early settlers with
preserved and restored buildings such as a country store, old-time saloon,
jail, bank and working blacksmith shop.
The scenic byway officially comes to an end here,
but you can continue south on Colorado Route 65 towards Delta, enjoying the outstanding
scenery on our way to CO 92 and then onto US 50.
Delta, Colorado, known as The City of Murals. Delta
is the largest city in Delta County with less than 10,000 people.
But this small town boasts over 15 murals citywide.
You can't miss them and will start to see them as
soon as you enter the town.
In 1986 Delta was awarded funds for an urban renewal
project, part of these funds were set aside to begin the mural project.
In Montrose, stop by and visit the Ute Indian Museum.
It is one of the nation’s most complete collections of the Ute people, featuring
exhibits and dioramas that let visitors experience the history, culture and
daily life of the early inhabitants of the Uncompahgre Valley. Located on the
original homestead site of Chief Ouray, the leader of the Ute people. The
museum complex includes a memorial park, Chipeta’s (his wife’s) crypt,
a native plants garden, teepees, and a memorial to the Spanish conquistadors
who traveled through the area in 1776.
The scenic drive known as San Juan Skyway, US 550, begins
in Ridgway and passes the Ridgway State Park. Driving this scenic byway, mining towns and alpine splendor await you on this stunning journey across high mountain passes in the shadow of impressive 14,000-foot peaks. This All American Road runs through the same canyons and valleys once used by rail cars a hundred years ago to transport miners and ore to and from remote mining camps.
Heading south on US-550, the road travels along the
Uncompahgre River, skirting between mountains and hills as you enter the
Uncompahgre National Forest.
Ten miles from Ridgway, we passed through the town of
Ouray, named after the Ute chief who inhabited this region until prospectors
found riches in the mountains and drove them out with the Brunot Treaty of
1873. The region is well-known for its hot springs, including the therapeutic
Ouray Hot Springs.
Ouray is also known as the “Switzerland of America.” this alpine town is surrounded
by stunning views of the snow-capped San Juan Mountains.
Continue through box canyons and see Clear Creek
cascading 285-feet down through a narrow, limestone gorge.
Continuing south on US 550, the road begins to climb
into the mountains through a series of switchbacks. This section of road is
known as the Million Dollar Highway. Locals disagree as to whether it is named
for the millions of dollars of gold, silver and other minerals extracted from
these mountains, the cost of building the road, or for the spectacular views.
Along the way, we passed abandoned mines, traveled through mountain tunnels, waterfalls, gorges and jaw-dropping mountain views
along this cliff-hanging road that continues to rise.
After a few roller-coaster hairpin turns, iron-rich
red-orange mountain peaks and hillsides come into view, some so colorful they
appear to have been painted, particularly now when the aspen’s golden leaves
glow.
In a few miles, we headed over the Red Mountain Pass
at 11,018 feet of elevation, which separates the Uncompahgre National Forest
and the San Juan National Forest. The road from here descends 1,700 feet
through valleys and dramatic views until arriving in Silverton in 10-miles.
The mining town of Silverton has many Victorian
buildings registered as National Historical Sites, most older than in other
towns along this route simply because it has not suffered the misfortune of
fire. The reason is possibly because of its annual 300-inches of snow.
Heading further south on US 550, the road again
climbs as you arrive at Molas Pass which affords a spectacular view of the
mountain peaks surrounding the picturesque Molas Lake, including the West
Needle Mountains and the Granadier Range. We stopped here in 2016, on a bus
from Silverton, but it was mid-summer, not fall … so the sights are different!
Continuing through hilly valleys surrounded by
mountain peaks, the trees along the road change from aspens, spruce and fir to
Ponderosa pine.
As we came close to Durango, we could see where the "416 Fires" from earlier this summer were. There has been a lot of controversy and rumors about whether the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad started the fire.
We arrived at Lightner Creek Campground, out home for the
next 4 nights.
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