September 5, 1998 to September 10, 1998
San Juan Skyway, Colorado 1998
This was my shortest bike tour, combined with a visit to relatives.
6 days, 281 miles (450 km).
| Heart | 0 | Comment | 0 | Link |
The route is known as the San Juan Skyway. It crosses 4 mountain passes above 10,000 feet elevation. The San Juan mountains are a little known but spectacular part of Colorado.
In Telluride I was lucky get the last available campsite at the town campground. It was awesome to camp so close to the historic town.
I camped and soaked for a long time at Orvis hot spring near the town of Ridgway, a rare clothing-optional commercial hot spring.
US 550 from Ouray to Silverton to Durango is extremely challenging and scenic. Highly recommended.
The weather was warm and sunny most of the time, but usually threatening to rain on the high passes in the afternoon. I camped every night.
The bike tour was combined with a visit to my wife's uncle in Cortez, Colorado. My wife and her mother flew out to visit while I was on the tour.
After the tour my wife and I rode the Durango-Silverton narrow gauge railroad, visited the Pueblo Indian ruins at Mesa Verde National Park, and drove to the Four Corners monument.
| Rate this entry's writing | Heart | 1 |
| Comment on this entry | Comment | 0 |