Colorado question?

We've turned the corner on our Odyssey 2010 and are headed for the "Valley of the Sun". Of course we don't want to get there before it's less than 100 degrees, so, I'm asking some of you Rocky Mountain types for some side trips that might delay my return. We have been to The Black Canyon of the Gunnison but would like to visit the NORTH RIM. Any body know anything about that campground or the Crawford State Park? Any other places for a great camping experience would be appreciated. We're currently in Elizabeth, CO and could head in any direction. Have had a good trip but did experience a couple of tire problems but that's another story for another post except that if you are running Greenball TowMasters, watch them closely. Good traveling to you all.

Option 1: You could head south in I 25, just south of Co Springs take Hwy 116 & Hwy 50 to Canon City to visit the Royal Gorge. After that, contine on Hwy 50 west to Poncha Springs, go south on 17 & 285 to Saguache and continue to South Fork. There are some beautiful camping areas between South Fork and Durango.

Option 2: Instead of turning south from Poncha Springs, continue west on Hwy 50. That will take you back through Gunnison and the Black Canyon again. Once you get to Montrose, turn south for a breathtaking drive down to Durango over the Million Dollar highway. If you don't want to dry camp, there is a nice camp ground on the north side of Ouray and some others in Silverton. If you dry camp, there are numerous places. Wave to me as you go past the Ophir Pass road or Little Molas lake; I'll probably be at one of them; heading that way tomorrow noonish. I'll pm you my cell number if you would like some more information.

After Durango, you can make a beeline back to Glendale or you can visit Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, Canyon de Chelly, or a number of other places.

You should stall the return to the 118 degree weather as long as possible.

Option #2 is AWESOME. There's nothing quite like the view on the Million Dollar highway!!

If you have an extra day, try taking the narrow guage rail from Durango to Silverton and back. Everybody should do this at least once in their life. It's a "bucket list" absolute! Be sure to make reservations for the train in advance.

http://www.durangotrain.com/about/news/family-discount-selected-days?crcat=Brand~name&crsource=adwords&crkw=durango%20silverton%20rail&crcampaign=5834650569&gclid=COnclo7WpaMCFYpV2godlTJ32w

TC

The train ride is really great and you should do it. Make sure you take a backpack with water & snacks. Silverton is a great place to visit and you got great advice.

TC wrote:Option #2 is AWESOME. There's nothing quite like the view on the Million Dollar highway!!

If you have an extra day, try taking the narrow guage rail from Durango to Silverton and back. Everybody should do this at least once in their life. It's a "bucket list" absolute! Be sure to make reservations for the train in advance.

http://www.durangotrain.com/about/news/family-discount-selected-days?crcat=Brand~name&crsource=adwords&crkw=durango%20silverton%20rail&crcampaign=5834650569&gclid=COnclo7WpaMCFYpV2godlTJ32w

TC

You have options on the train ride. You can ride it both ways as a round trip, or you can ride it one way and bus the other. We did the round trip on the train and it was awesome. We rode in the parlor car at the end of the train. There was a bar, a waitress and we sat a little tables for two. It was well worth the cost.