Escaping the Smoke...A Trip through the Colorado Haze!

[mph]

My wife, daughter, and I headed to Colorado for 10 days. No real plan...We did have to meet my mother in Pagosa Springs midweek. I looked at the weather forecast and it was going to be hot and dry. A continued pattern out west...We left our place in Park City and headed east.

The first place we decided to check out was the Grand Mesa outside of Grand Junction. It was high...And, it should be cool. We left GJunction and the temp was 102! We headed up to the Mesa and climbed over 5,000 feet. It was a nice, cool 70 outside. Amazing what a little altitude does...

Grand Mesa is full of lakes...This one a nice one close to our campsite.



My daughter has been working on her balance while riding her bike. Over the past few weeks; she has greatly improved!




We were off to Ouray. As we approached, the smoke from the fires to the south intensified. We headed east and ended up going back to one of our favorite spots around the Cimaron Mtn. Range.



Our goal was to try to help my daughter Lilly catch a fish. We weren't to successful but she was having fun!




Goin to catch a big one!!!



We no luck...she decided to get back on the bike. The smoke created an eerie haze....



Off to Lake City...

 

[mph]

We were off and on our way to Lake City.

My wife and daughter prepared a little lunch...



We crossed Blue Mesa and actually went into Ute Nation Land. The only cars we saw were from Utah!!! In the middle of Colorado!



On our descent of Blue Mesa; we can upon the Gunnison River. We grabbed the fly rods and threw the fly in...Colorado has endless amounts of fly fishing!



Along the way, we spotted a doe! Can you?



As we paralleled the Rio Grande River, we spotted a large duck! My daughter said we had to stop!!!! We did...



We found the headwaters of the San Juan River and tried to find a campsite for the night! The water was low...Amazing for June.



Found a nice spot in the Aspens.



We always like to read and work with Lilly...It is amazing what she can learn from a book or on a trip to Colorado



The following day...we found a great spot to throw the fly in...My wife used to guide in Jackson. She is good...I am not!



She caught a nice one...A kid from Texas wanted it for dinner. We released it...He was quite bummed!

 

[mph]

After some time fishing; we were off to meet my family in Pagosa Springs. A great area that sits at the base of Wolf Creek Pass. It is supposed to be a lush environment but this year; it was hot and dry. Weather one would typically see in August. However, we chilled with my family and had a great time exploring, riding, and relaxin!


We did a few hikes in the area...Waterfalls, rivers, valleys...It seems that there are many roads that parellel a river in Colorado. I haven't found one yet that didn't have some awesome views!

Our first morning we woke awoke to a muffled sound outside...We found this...



My daughter loves to hike and use her hiking sticks! They kept her going...Mile after mile...



Love this shot...Big views!



Watching the little ponies struggle to stand and walk...



We headed up to Wolf Creek pass for a hike. I couldn't believe that my daughter hiked 4 miles and up around 1200 feet! She was all smiles...



There are some awesome single track rides in Pagosa. Unfortunately, the forest service doesn't mark the trails well. Really...no signage! Getting the bikes ready...



One evening...Lilly asked to fly her kite. It was a .99 purchase...it was the best money we have spent in a long time. I know it sounds cheesy but go fly a kite...it was a lot of fun...



Trying to keep up with the little one...

 

[rkj__]

Very nice!

 

[Dirtytires]

The trip looks like it was a nice time to unwind and relax..You have a beautiful family!

 

[mph]

The trip looks like it was a nice time to unwind and relax..You have a beautiful family!

Thanks for the kind words!

 

[Rambo1]

The trip looks like it was a nice time to unwind and relax..You have a beautiful family!

x2

 

[mph]

After 5 days or so in Pagosa Springs, it was time to head north. On our way, we stopped at Chimney Rock. An Anasazi settlement perched high a mesa. The tour was long but worth it. Amazing what these people built...






The Great Kiva is great...You have to take the tour to visit this one!



Lilly was great in planning our route!



Silverton is always a fun place to visit. Mining history...Trains...Great views all around!



Lilly found a car she would like to drive! Some day....



The gold seekers of the past had a nice view each day...However, probably a pretty rough life.



Check out the train anytime you are in the Silverton area. You can take it from Durango but is a 8 hour round trip ordeal. The train steams right into town...



We ended our trip finding a quiet place back on Grand Mesa. Gorgeous country! We will be back!



The stream flows west...The way we were headed...Back to Utah...Back to home...Cheers for now!

 

[conifers4]

Great writeup, beautiful family. I would cherish the day I was pulled behind that steam engine.

 

[Rot Box]

Great report. Looks like you guy's know how to have a good time! Thanks for sharing :bike_rider:

 

[Silver dude]

Looks like it was great time out and about! Hope I'm that blessed to one day have a family adventure of that caliber. Thanks for posting it up!

 

[mph]

thanks...my family and i are blessed to have had many good adventures...

is Rockford located on the Mississippi?

Looks like it was great time out and about! Hope I'm that blessed to one day have a family adventure of that caliber. Thanks for posting it up!

 

[Funrover]

Great report, looks like a great time! Thanks for the post

 

[Silver dude]

is Rockford located on the Mississippi?

About 30mins south of Wisconsin right in the middle. 2-3 hours from Mississippi.

 

[BobA]

Great trip,thanks for sharing.