Category: Waterfalls

Ride~About: US-550/Million Dollar Highway–Stunning and Scary!

Posted on by Joy

US-550 is part of Colorado’s San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway. We’ll be traveling from Durango to Ouray, Colorado, about 70 miles of the 305-mile US-550. The 25-mile stretch between Silverton and Ouray is called the Million Dollar Highway. No one knows exactly why it got that name, although the whole area was home to very productive silver, gold, lead, copper, and zinc mines. The Million Dollar Highway served those mines, but is best known today for it sharp curves, steep grades, and narrow road edges. Sound scary? It is, but as we head north from Durango, we slowly climb into the beautiful mountains along US-550.

Come ON and find out why I will only drive north on this road!!!

SNAP*Shot: Ouray’s Cascade Falls

Posted on by Joy

Ouray, Colorado, sits just inside the San Juan Mountains along US-550. There are gorgeous views and many streams flowing to the Uncompahgre River on the west side of town. Not to mention the rock amphitheater surrounding the town. This morning we are hiking to Cascade Falls. It is a two (2) minute drive from Main Street on the east side of town. Can’t beat that commute! Like most every road and trail in Ouray, it is UP this way!

Definitely watch your step

Hiking to Redrock Falls

Posted on by Joy

In the Many Glacier section of Glacier National Park there are lots of hikes to lakes, waterfalls, mountain tops, and even glaciers. The hikes are long and steep, but we’ll be doing what’s considered a gentle family-friendly hike to Redrock Falls. Walking 3.6 miles round-trip with only a 230 ft. elevation gain. We can do this–and oh, the views. It sure looks and even feels like rain, but the forecast says no, so here’s hoping.

Grab your raincoat just in case!

Glacier’s Two-Waterfall Ramble

Posted on by Joy

Well hi! What a delight to visit Glacier National Park again. Let’s take a two-waterfall hike to Saint Mary Falls then Virginia Falls on the east side of the park. This is the first time for me and maybe you too, so grab your gear and let’s go. It will be 3.6 miles round trip with lots of wide switchbacks taking us first down about 260 feet then up about 280 feet–then doing it in reverse. Let’s take our time and enjoy the ramble because we’ll no doubt be huffing and puffing as we go!

Let’s go . . .