8/23/11 Day 18 continued- South on Highway 550 to Ouray, CO. The Uncompahgre National Forest including Mt. Sneffels at 14,150 feet surrounds this town of 4,260 residents. What you are looking at will be the start of the Million Dollar Highway route tomorrow!
Into the town of Ouray that afternoon. How do you pronounce it? Well, the locals say "yoo-ray" so that became the joke with Barney over the next couple days. You Ray? No, I'm Kathy! The town has been referred to as the Switzerland of America. We stopped at the local visitor center and they recommended the Ampitheater Campground in the National Forest to camp at for the night. Off we go to check it out.
This was at the base of the campground in the Swiss Alps AKA the Uncompahgre and San Juan National Forests. The campground was up a winding road, over a wood planked bridge and up into the gorgeous forest. We lucked out and got a campground there. The area was formed from a volcanic explosion many years ago and we got to reap the benefits that were created by Mother Nature.
Up at the top we go. This viewpoint was just a couple hundred yards from our campsite. You can view the entire town of Ouray from here. It was beautiful at night with all the lights on and the stars filled the sky. We got both tents on one big site and enjoyed a good nights sleep nestled against the rock walls and forest treeline at 8,400 feet elevation.
8/24/11 Day 19- The Million Dollar Highway Adventure! What a scenic ride on the motorcycle from Ouray down past Silverton. Through the portal of a tunnel, looking backwards you can see Mt. Abrams. We continued on seeing some of the most spectacular chasms that were so deep that you can't see cliff tops nor canyon bottoms from either side. Bear Creek Falls cascaded right under the highway, too. Steep cliffs, no guard rails, and multiple switchbacks on a downhilll grade going south give this ride some of it's reputation!
A hint of what we got to experience on this fantastic ride. No sweat for the drivers! Great views for the passenger!
Over Red Mountain Pass at 11,018 feet and getting some views of the road we had been on and the scattered buildings on the ride. The weather was perfect.
Looking back at mountains behind us in awe. Each turn gave us a new treat to log in our memory banks and the camera!
Into the old mining town of Silverton, CO. The town boasts 531 people and a darling yesteryear mainstreet. It has often been used as a movie set for Westerns and is the terminus of the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
After crossing the Molas Divide and Coal Bank Pass at 10,000 ft + we came upon this little gem- Electra Lake.
Ta-da among the wildflowers! Enjoying the great mountainside views by an appreciative backseat rider. On to the bottom of 550 we go to Durango! We have about 3,400 miles on the bike so far.....
8/23/11 Day 18 continued- South on Highway 550 to Ouray, CO. The Uncompahgre National Forest including Mt. Sneffels at 14,150 feet surrounds this town of 4,260 residents. What you are looking at will be the start of the Million Dollar Highway route tomorrow!
Into the town of Ouray that afternoon. How do you pronounce it? Well, the locals say "yoo-ray" so that became the joke with Barney over the next couple days. You Ray? No, I'm Kathy! The town has been referred to as the Switzerland of America. We stopped at the local visitor center and they recommended the Ampitheater Campground in the National Forest to camp at for the night. Off we go to check it out.
This was at the base of the campground in the Swiss Alps AKA the Uncompahgre and San Juan National Forests. The campground was up a winding road, over a wood planked bridge and up into the gorgeous forest. We lucked out and got a campground there. The area was formed from a volcanic explosion many years ago and we got to reap the benefits that were created by Mother Nature.
Up at the top we go. This viewpoint was just a couple hundred yards from our campsite. You can view the entire town of Ouray from here. It was beautiful at night with all the lights on and the stars filled the sky. We got both tents on one big site and enjoyed a good nights sleep nestled against the rock walls and forest treeline at 8,400 feet elevation.
8/24/11 Day 19- The Million Dollar Highway Adventure! What a scenic ride on the motorcycle from Ouray down past Silverton. Through the portal of a tunnel, looking backwards you can see Mt. Abrams. We continued on seeing some of the most spectacular chasms that were so deep that you can't see cliff tops nor canyon bottoms from either side. Bear Creek Falls cascaded right under the highway, too. Steep cliffs, no guard rails, and multiple switchbacks on a downhilll grade going south give this ride some of it's reputation!
A hint of what we got to experience on this fantastic ride. No sweat for the drivers! Great views for the passenger!
Over Red Mountain Pass at 11,018 feet and getting some views of the road we had been on and the scattered buildings on the ride. The weather was perfect.
Looking back at mountains behind us in awe. Each turn gave us a new treat to log in our memory banks and the camera!
Into the old mining town of Silverton, CO. The town boasts 531 people and a darling yesteryear mainstreet. It has often been used as a movie set for Westerns and is the terminus of the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
After crossing the Molas Divide and Coal Bank Pass at 10,000 ft + we came upon this little gem- Electra Lake.
Ta-da among the wildflowers! Enjoying the great mountainside views by an appreciative backseat rider. On to the bottom of 550 we go to Durango! We have about 3,400 miles on the bike so far.....
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