Tag Archives: Ouray

Box Canyon: Ouray, Colorado

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Box Canyon by Nicki Hurd

A ravine with steep vertical walls.

Box Canyon Photo by Nicki Hurd

The Belly of the falls with rushing water falling eighty feet to the bottom.

Box Canyon Photo by Nicki Hurd

 

Groups of these adorable chipmunks gather around a feeder at the entrance.

Box Canyon Photo by Andrew Leggett

The walkway

Box Canyon by Andrew Leggett

The side view

Box Canyon Photo by Nicki Hurd

The tunnel

Box Canyon Photo by Nicki Hurd

Box Canyon is a must-see with many hiking opportunities with various adventures. There are bird feeders and furry little creatures all around the visiting center.   At the start we followed the walkway up the mountain trail to a suspension bridge, we made our way around and down the cliff-side pathway, with views of cabins and evergreens layered down the side of the mountain, through a tunnel, and ended outside in the surrounding forests.   August 26th 2009

 

Bachelor-Syracuse Mine Tour: Ouray, Colorado

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We ventured in on a mine cart…

Bachelor- Syracuse Mine Photo by Nicki Hurd

listened to mining lore…

Bachelor- Syracuse Mine Photo by Nicki Hurd

until the cart got stuck.

Gold Hill by Andrew Leggett

 

Ouray was founded around 1870 when gold and silver was discovered in the in the San Juan mountains, the gold rush lead to the many mining communities that are now small towns.

After having the  miner’s breakfast they offer, we traveled by rail into Gold Hill and got stuck in the pitch black darkness.  It added to the intrigue, although I felt bad for the guide who had to wade back out through the water covering the floor of the cave, and get something to lever us back onto the track.

According to the tales, the miners were immigrants from Ireland that worked very hard and did not have it easy.  Some things never change, like exploiting immigrants, but it lead to the establishment of the communities along the Skyway. August, 2009

 

 

Million Dollar Highway: Route 550 between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado

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A narrow two lane highway through the San Juan Mountains

Million Dollar Highway by Nicki Hurd

It was a white knuckle drive in the rain as we ascended this narrow two lane part of the San Juan Mountain Skyway with steep cliffs, but well worth it.  Parts of this 12 mile stretch through the Uncompahgre Gorge from the Summit of Red Mountain Pass are chiseled into the mountain and a breathtaking visual. August, 2009

 

 

Lane’s Victorian House

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Deer and stags were meandering around.

 

Lane’s Victorian Photo by Andrew Leggett

 

Lane’s Victorian  Photo by Andrew  Leggett

Lane’s Victorian Photo by Nicki Hurd

Lane’s Victorian Cottage is charming, a great place for two with amazing views. Located in a residential area with the high street only four blocks away.  The high street seemed pleasant to stay on, everything is nearby and it wasn’t boisterous anywhere.  There were some workmen clamoring  briefly during the day, and the neighbor next door started construction on his home the day we left, but for most of the stay it was a serene retreat.

August, 2009

Ouray, Colorado

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An alpine village along the San Juan Mountain Skyway, and a favorite place of mine.

Ouray Colorado Photo by Nicki Hurd

Ouray is named after a Native American Chief of the Utes.   Ute means Land of the sun.

We gazed at it from above as we wound down the Million Dollar Highway. We arrived at the end of a rain storm as the sky cleared. The village has a timeless feel with turn of the century buildings among more recent additions.  A cozy place but with enough shops and restaurants to stroll and linger.

We stayed at Lane’s Victorian House with windows all around and a 360 view, making it clear  why Ouray is nicknamed the Switzerland of America. It was an easy walk to a Bistro for dinner, which was delicious, with potatoes whipped as soft as snow, and cocktails that had the special altitude boost.

I read stories in the local post of bears eating the rubbish outside of eateries in the wee hours of the mornings.  I could not convince Andrew to wake up early and walk down to take a peek.

Ouray was originally a miners town for those after gold and silver. We took the Bachelor-Syracuse Mine Tour just north of Ouray.

Hiking anywhere was beautiful with gorgeous views of the Rocky Mountains. We circled around the town, took a short jaunt out, and had a visit to Box Canyon.

We finished the day by looking up into the mountains while soaking and melting in the sulfer- free hot springs healing minerals, testing the many soaking sections at temperatures ranging from 88 to 106 degrees. August, 2009