June 30, 2008
By now we have taken about 10 scenic drives. Each seems to have its own beauty or interest and spectacular in their own way. Some had old mines which are interesting to us. Many years ago on a vacation to Colorado we went on a jeep tour back on strictly 4 wheel drive trails to many of the old ghost mining towns in this area. We enjoyed it so much and so whenever we are in Colorado we continue to have that desire to visit these old areas. But this year we are finding them not so interesting and enjoying more the absolute beauty of the mountains, valleys, rock formations, trees, and spring flowers galore. God’s creation is so awesome. On June 18 we traveled on CR 210 to Highway 50, up through Monarch Pass [11,320 feet] and back home. We had stopped by the Forestry Service before going and were told the road was closed due to snow just before the Marshall Pass. When we got to that point we found an area about 50 yards that was still drifted. But there was a 4 wheel drive trail around it. Gene checked it out and decided we could get through. So we did. We saw beautiful views on the gravel road. After crossing this area we made our way down to the valley and there we kept seeing trees that were laying on the ground. Why so many were downed was a puzzle to us but soon we figured out. Beavers had cut them down to make beaver dams and their lodges. We saw them for miles as we traveled along the mountain stream. Be sure to go to http://ourtravelphotos.spaces.live.com/default.aspx which is the internet site where you can see many more of the photos we have taken.
A little further down the road it gets much more rocky and looks less and less like a road and more like a path. We would like to have gone on over this road as it goes over Aspin Ridge which is supposed to be quite beautiful. But we have seen lots of beautiful and really won’t take a chance on a road we are not sure of.
One of the more beautiful scenic drive we took was June 26 as we took CR 306 over Cottonwood Pass, 12,126 feet. Just for your information, that is quite high. There was still lots of snow there and in fact we found out later the pass did not even open until June 14. With each mile we went the views were more beautiful and amazing. The snow along the road at the pass in one place was still 4 to 6 feet deep. There was a trail there but it was pretty chilly and we could see people a long ways away on a high peak so we decided against the hike.
From the pass we could see Taylor Reservoir way down in the valley to the west. The view of it and mountains to the north and south of it are quite impressive too.
By now we have taken about 10 scenic drives. Each seems to have its own beauty or interest and spectacular in their own way. Some had old mines which are interesting to us. Many years ago on a vacation to Colorado we went on a jeep tour back on strictly 4 wheel drive trails to many of the old ghost mining towns in this area. We enjoyed it so much and so whenever we are in Colorado we continue to have that desire to visit these old areas. But this year we are finding them not so interesting and enjoying more the absolute beauty of the mountains, valleys, rock formations, trees, and spring flowers galore. God’s creation is so awesome. On June 18 we traveled on CR 210 to Highway 50, up through Monarch Pass [11,320 feet] and back home. We had stopped by the Forestry Service before going and were told the road was closed due to snow just before the Marshall Pass. When we got to that point we found an area about 50 yards that was still drifted. But there was a 4 wheel drive trail around it. Gene checked it out and decided we could get through. So we did. We saw beautiful views on the gravel road. After crossing this area we made our way down to the valley and there we kept seeing trees that were laying on the ground. Why so many were downed was a puzzle to us but soon we figured out. Beavers had cut them down to make beaver dams and their lodges. We saw them for miles as we traveled along the mountain stream. Be sure to go to http://ourtravelphotos.spaces.live.com/default.aspx which is the internet site where you can see many more of the photos we have taken.
Most of the scenic drives we have taken and plan to take are on gravel roads and mostly considered for 4-wheel drive vehicles which we have. Often these roads turn into even rougher road with the need to have a jeep-like or truck to navigate. On June 23 we too CR 175 past the Gold Wonder mine. It appears to be a working mine with huge mounds of tailings covering large areas of land. This mine produces small amounts of silver and a couple of other minerals. Along the way we passed an area where a lake was formed from the materials taken out of the ground. As we drove up this road we do see much evidence of old mines that did not appear to produce much. We saw an entrance to a mine that has now been closed off with a heavy metal barricade. Around this area we saw rocks that appear to be the kind that might contain silver.
A little further down the road it gets much more rocky and looks less and less like a road and more like a path. We would like to have gone on over this road as it goes over Aspin Ridge which is supposed to be quite beautiful. But we have seen lots of beautiful and really won’t take a chance on a road we are not sure of.On June 23 we took CR250 up to the base of Mt Shavano, 14,229 and Mt Tabeguache, 14,155, two of the 14rs in this area. The landscape changed from almost desert like in the low altitude to heavily treed areas with huge Aspen and Tall Pines; then on to rocky landscapes and some areas near water that were very fertile. There the ground was covered with grass and was a quite refreshing area. On the way to the mountains we traveled through a sort of valley. We were at a quite high altitude as we reached the base of the mountains. We took another similar road home but it was an even different terrain and traveling up into the low mountains, up and down with many switchbacks. It was a very interesting 50 mile trip. Somehow the photos we took are lost….operator error. And that is too bad as there were some nice photos.
One of the more beautiful scenic drive we took was June 26 as we took CR 306 over Cottonwood Pass, 12,126 feet. Just for your information, that is quite high. There was still lots of snow there and in fact we found out later the pass did not even open until June 14. With each mile we went the views were more beautiful and amazing. The snow along the road at the pass in one place was still 4 to 6 feet deep. There was a trail there but it was pretty chilly and we could see people a long ways away on a high peak so we decided against the hike.
From the pass we could see Taylor Reservoir way down in the valley to the west. The view of it and mountains to the north and south of it are quite impressive too.
The Taylor River flowing out of the reservoir was raging with winter snow melt and so pretty to see We followed it most of the way to Gunnison. The water is always so pretty as it flows over and around the rocks and boulders.
From Gunnison we went through a long stretch in the open valley with only views of the mountains and then back up through Monarch Pass. It is a long and winding road up the Pass and beautiful but we have been across this before. It is the quickest way to get back home in these mountains.
