ACGPSY Blog

Ouray, Colorado

September 24, 2012

We took a jeep ride up to Owl Creek Pass and stopped in the aspen-lined field where they filmed the final shoot-out in the movie “True Grit”. Remember the scene where John Wayne leads the good guys with guns blazing toward the bad guys? This is the place….not a movie set!

Chimney Rock as seen from the trail.

It is always a pleasure to meet interesting people in our travels and Colorado never disappoints.  I was bounding down a tiny trail with all my camera gear in tow to get a pic of the Cimmaron Mountains and ran head on into Greg and his team.  He is a bow elk hunter heading into the national forest with his two pack horses for the elk season. They had everything they would need for two weeks in the packs.  I would love to hear how he makes out.  I am certain it will be an adventure.

We also enjoyed a ride on Last Dollar Road and the foliage was grand!  Nothing like a colorful quiet country road……

Ouray, Colorado

September 18,2012

Back in 1879, there were no more than 6 towns between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado.  The towns of  Chattanooga, Red Mountain City, Guston, Hudson Town, Rogerville and Ironton were born during the mining boom.  It was a pleasure to see many of the mine buildings from that golden era are still standing today.  The towns are all long deserted.  We toured this area called the Red Mountain Mining District.

This is the Longfellow mine at about 11,000 ft elevation on Red Mountain.

The jeep as it starts down the steep grade at 12,300 feet.  Nice panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and San Juan National Forest.

The fall aspens are flaming at about 10,500 feet at the top of US Basin.

Ouray, Colorado

September 15, 2012

The drive from Ouray to Silverton Colorado is always a jaw-dropper along the “Million Dollar Highway.”  We were treated to an exceptional ride this morning as the fall foliage is “early” this year.  The aspens in the mountain passes were a neon yellow.

This lovely group of aspens where found near Ironton Park at 10, 656 ft elevation.

The drive does not contain a straight stretch of highway or any guard rails.  The Million Dollar Highway was an old toll road built in the 1880’s by Otto Mears.  Just beyond the pull-out for Bear Creek Falls, Otto set up his tollgate at the narrowest point in the “road”, to collect his $3.75 for each vehicle.

The view looking up to Tico Peak.

No trip to Silverton would be complete without a steam train shot as it passes the Silverton Train Station with 12 cars of tourist.