Tag: quaking aspens

Ride~About: Silver Thread Scenic Byway (CO-149)

Posted on by Joy

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!

Early morning Rio Grande River
The clouds are on the river! Come on along to see more . . .

Inter-Laken Hike Along Twin Lakes

Posted on by Joy

Here we are at beautiful Twin Lakes. We were here last year to drive up CO-82 and explore Independence Pass as well as hike to Linkins Lake. It was an 11,000 to over 12,000 foot adventure! The problem was it was only nice, make that great, weather the morning of those adventures. The rest of that day and every day spent in Twin Lakes it rained interspersed with terrible wildfire smoke. So here we are: try, try again!

On the south side of the Twin Lakes is a hike to an historic resort known as Inter-Laken. Starting around 1890 it was one of the finest resorts in all the Rocky Mountains. Also one of the most expensive. More on this later, but here we are at the trailhead, so let’s go! This is for you Howard.

Brand new adventure for you and me!