Ridgway, Ouray, Telluride and Silverton Colorado

Ridgway State Park - Ridgway, Ouray, Telluride and Silverton Colorado

After spending the entire month of June and the first week of July in Idaho, with side trips into Montana for Glacier National Park and Wyoming for Yellowstone National Park and Cody, we pulled up stakes once again and headed South. This had us crossing through the eastern part of Utah (spending a nice evening at Heber Valley in a RV Resort) hopping on I70 East and crossing by Moab and into western Colorado. Our base for the next few days was Ridgway State Park, on US 550 a few miles West of the town of Ridgway. Movie buffs will recognize Ridgway as the location of the John Wayne classic -True Grit!

downtown Ridgway - scenes from "True Grit" filmed here

this was used as Undertakers shop in "True Grit"

on undertakers shop

We settled into our site at the RSP and the campground was full. The temps were in the  mid 90's and the trees were more ornamental than shade providing. Fortunately, we had electric and could run our rooftop AC units. With very low humidity, it was quite easy to maintain comfort levels inside the RV. Early in the morning and after 7PM, the temps outside provided comfortable outdoors sitting and walks to the  river.

it was quite an engineering feat to get the railroad to Ridgway in the late 1800's

Starting off our first full day at RSP, we drove into the town, stopped at the visitors center to get some direction  and brochures, toured the Railroad Museum there, went over to the town Park and started our walking tour of the town and the sites used in filming True Grit. We enjoyed a muffin and a cup of coffee in the shade of the large trees in the park, then climbed in the Jeep for the drive down to the former mining, now ski town, of Telluride. The Visitor Center in Ridgway had told us to park outside of Telluride at Mountain Village and take the free (yes, free!) gondola into Telluride. We did, accompanied by Cooper and CJ (dogs allowed) and what at ride!! The trip takes about 15 minutes with a change of lines mid way and the view is breathtaking! We walked the town, ate lunch at a nice dog friendly Mexican café answered questions about Cooper (he is a big conversation starter) hopped back on the gondola and back to the Jeep. We concluded the day by driving further South towards Rico, but turned back due to severe weather approaching the mountain passes ( later on we read that the area was indeed hit hard by rain and wind).

dogs can ride for free as well into Telluride

descending into Telluride in gondola -Cooper and CJ along as well!

downtown Telluride just after exiting gondola

The next morning our plan was to drive down US550 past Ridgway, though Ouray and on to Silverton. US550 is considered one of the most dangerous roads in the country. as it is carved out of the cliff face of the canyon and in many places has minimal shoulder and no guardrails! However, as we left the South end of Ouray, we were informed by a large flashing electric road sign the 550 was closed due to a rock slide!! bummer!!. We decided we would check out Ouray instead that day and save Silverton for the next day.  However, as we were turning around, we noticed a sign to the Box Canyon and we decided - why not??? the quarter mile drive to the parking lot was a nice little Jeep trail as well. (BTW - Ouray is the Jeep Mecca of America, there are so many Jeeps, I gave up doing the "Jeep Wave") The Box Canyon is run by the town of Ouray and is worth the time to see it if you are in the area. There are two trails, one takes you inside and the other above. I did both.

downtown Ouray, lots of nice shoppes and Jeeps!

inside Box Canyon at Ouray, Colorado

Victorian House with rooftop walk -Ouray, Colorado

We spent an enjoyable day in Ouray, sitting on benches in the shade, eating lunch at Maggie's and watching lots of Jeeps drive by. We then headed back to camp and settled in for the evening. More dog walks, reading and mapping out more details for the remained of our adventure.

We have been asked numerous times how we planned for the trip. As mentioned months back, it has been hundreds of hours, making plans and reservations, reviewing and adjusting the plans and modifying routes due to weather, circumstances and suggestions from fellow travelers.

Our second attempt to travel to Silverton was successful the following day and the drive down US550 is not for the weak of heart (nor for those in a large rig!). The views are breathtaking and the curves and drop-offs many. Along the way you will see Red Mountain and its' famous switchback, mining sites and the town of Silverton nestled in at 9300' above sea level.. We arrived shortly before noon, checked out Bring Fido and selected the Bent Elbow (a former Brothel) as our noon day dining destination. The food was great and they even had apple pie for desert and a piano player!. We then walked the town, checked out the shoppes and took in the feel. Our waitress told us this past winter they only received 50" of snow as opposed to the usual 300"! Things are dry here and with the wildfires burning to the South at Durango, the famous train was not making it's daily excursion between the two towns. That is bad news for store owners depending on those riding those rails for their livelihood.

lots of ATV riding opportunities in Silverton area

downtown Silverton - Wyatt Earp came here after Tombstone!

mining structure north of Silverton on US550

ore cars now planters

US550 at Red Mountain

stagecoach in Silverton

US550 - pay attention at all times

US550 - not a lot of wiggle room

We had a great time and would definitely visit this area again if we could. 3-4 full days will due you well. Add one more day if you plan on riding the train to Silverton.

We are off again and will be posting more soon.

until then - Take Care

Cooper and CJ