Ouray (pronounced “You ray”) is also known as the Switzerland of the Rockies. Located about 2 hours north of Durango and about 90 minutes from Telluride. I drove here from Bryce in Utah. That was a beautiful drive which took about 6 hours. I stayed at a great little motel called Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa. This place was very intimate and offered not only mineral pools, but vaporcaves under the hotel, as well as very reasonable massage treatments. They also have a private bath with waterfall (no clothing required). Rates were very reasonable too. There are only 22 units here.
There are some great hikes with trailheads nearby, so you can just walk to many of them. The restaurants and bars are fairly priced too. Bottom line – Although relatively out of the way, this place is so worth the time it takes to get here.
Great place to stay. Located 2 blocks off Main Street.View of Main Street. Some good saloons and restaurants.Great place for coffee and breakfast.Private bath and waterfall at the Wiesbaden Motel.Another image. The water is not from a sulfur spring so no rotten egg aroma. Temp is perfect too, about 102-104 F.Hike along the perimeter trail of Ouray.Another perspective.
View to the south toward Durango. 14,000 foot peaks surround Ouray.
These are the best images and my favorite park yet. This park in full of formations containing colorful eroded rock mazes, fins, pillars, and spires. The structures are known as “hoodoos,” formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of the river and lake bed sedimentary rocks. The red, orange, and white colors of the rocks provide stunning views. These formations, while being of a relatively soft stone will change their shapes during a human lifetime. In a geologically short period of time they will no longer exist. (See image below of the dissolved hoodoos.) The Canyon was settled by the Mormons in 1850 and is named for Ebenezer Bryce. The rim of my images ranges in elevation from 8,000 to 9,000 feet above sea level. Check out the images below and see if you don’t agree that they are among some of the best yet. This might explain why I have posted so many.
Really stunning view.View from the rim.Good example of color differentiation.I was able to hike down some 350 feet to get this different perspective.
Great contrast provided by this dark cloud.Image of dissolved hoodoos. Only their colors remain.Closer image of the formation.These appears as chess pieces.Fairly precipitous drop from here.OLYMPUS DIGITAL IMAGEOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABeautiful hues of color. Reminds me of a russian cossack dance.
Just as the weather guys predicted – it is raining. But I’d much prefer rain and 64 degrees to sun and 105 degrees, as is much the case all summer long. If you are inclined to visit these parks you should plan to come between the months of October and early May. Otherwise, not only are these places packed with tourists, but they are hotter than hell. Parking in the park is fairly limited as well. Because of the weather, the day I visited the park parking was not issue.
While there are some pretty good rock formations here, I was a bit underwhelmed. The colors when wet were pretty good, but I can’t help but think how good clear weather with a blue sky and puffy white clouds would have been. Oh well, I just live in the now and enjoy anyway.
The colors of the desert when wet provide a nice contrast.“The Three Wise Men.” The park did not refer to this formation as such, I did. It seems obvious. You do not even need to be high to see it. Pay close attention to the flowing robes.Just another image of yet more rocks. Blah, blah, blah…“Balancing Rock.” What a creative name. The park does refer to this formation by that name.Here you are really able to see some good color and the land.Really nice hike through this valley.
Tomorrow I head to Canyonlands National Park. The weather is predicted to be great. I believe the formations will be much more impressive. We shall see. All in all, the scenery in this state so far is pretty amazing.
Nothing like a good old road trip to begin the Autumn season in the Northern hemisphere. I begin in Colorado and drive west. First stop is Moab, Utah. This spot was picked so that I can visit the first two of the National Parks I plan to see. I book into a lodge that I was referred to. It is called the Red Cliffs Lodge and Ranch. Very picturesque and located about 14 miles from Moab, but right on the banks of the Colorado River. Great place to stay. The cabins are right on the river. Must be even better when the Colorado is really flowing.
Interesting to note that well over 150 motion pictures have been at least in part filmed here. Mostly westerns as you would imagine. However, other films including Thelma & Louise, City Slickers, and Back to the Future III were also shot here. See images below for some more info. Tomorrow I am off to Arches National Park and the forecast calls for rain. Not so bad as it will make all the natural colors of the rocks really pop out.
Pasture land at the Red Cliffs Lodge.View of the Colorado River from the Lodge restaurant.One of the cars used in an old motion picture shot here.A stage coach used in a western shot here. The Colorado River was used in many scenes.Wildflowers on the property.The Cowboy Grill. The fare was adequate, but the ambiance pretty authentic.Better shot of the Colorado River.
This is the very awesome over the road machine that takes me everywhere. Comfortable, great capacity as rear seats fold down to render it a large hatchback, fuel efficient considering the incredible performance (28 MPG highway) and killer range with its 26.6 gallon tank. Oh yeah, and it is all-wheel drive.
