Tag: mountains

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!

Sandstone Ranch Open Space: Juniper Valley Loop Trail

Posted on by Joy

Thirty miles north of home is a new 2,038 acre open space–Sandstone Ranch. Douglas County, the county north of my home county of El Paso, opened Sandstone Ranch to the public in September 2020. They are proud to have secured this acreage for the public to enjoy for generations. This open space has a 3.5-mile common border with Pike National Forest, historic ranch buildings from the original owners in the 1870s, and great plans to make both available to visitors in the future.

Currently, though, Sandstone Ranch has 12 miles of trails with overlooks of the old Ranch and various red rock formations. Today we will explore 3.6 miles of the Juniper Valley Loop Trail. With all the rain we’ve had this year–and are still getting–the flowers and plants should be amazing. This is my first visit here, so join me on this new adventure in beautiful Sandstone Ranch Open Space!

Let’s go . . .