About an hour from home and 3,000 feet higher, is Tarryall Road which takes us to Tarryall Reservoir. I’ve wanted to travel this quiet back road for some time, but what better time than when autumn color is at peak! This is a new trip for us both. Let’s go.
Part 3: Last Leg of the Byway
When we drove into Lake City yesterday, we crossed a bridge over Henson Creek. A short distance from the bridge, the creek feeds into the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. The Lake Fork begins high in the mountains southwest of Lake San Cristobal, flows through the lake, and ends its 64.7 mile-long journey north to its confluence with the Gunninson River in Blue Mesa Reservoir.
Yes, this river runs south to north. Am I the only one who thought all rivers run north to south–south is downhill after all, right? Actually it is all about gravity. A river will always take the path of least resistance and flow downhill as quickly as possible. That downhill path can be in any direction including north, south, east, west, and every direction in between. The most famous and longest river in the world runs north through 11 countries–The Nile.
This last section of CO-149 is about rock formations, ranches, and Lake Fork’s canyons. Over the road’s remaining 45 miles we will travel down about 1,140 feet. Let’s go!
Part 2: Onward to Lake City
Come on along as we continue driving the Silver Thread Scenic Byway (CO-149). Our journey now takes us high in the mountains searching for gorgeous views and colors as we drive over mountain passes and stop at overlooks. I’m not sure there is a better place to find autumn splendor than the northcentral San Juan Mountains. Let’s go!
Part I: Southern Half of the Byway
Is there any doubt that visiting the Colorado mountains in autumn is a must-do adventure? The Silver Thread Scenic Byway is a 117-mile trip from South Fork through the central San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado to Blue Mesa Reservoir. It is Colorado highway CO-149, a designated Colorado Scenic Byway and National Forest Byway. In 2021 it was named a National Scenic Byway, making it one of 13 America’s Byways® designated in Colorado. Visiting the mountains for what’s lovingly called leaf peeping, Colorado’s best chances for peak color is sometime between early-September to mid-October. We have our fingers crossed that we see good colors these first few days of October. Off we go!
