Durango
Durango is a city in southwest Colorado that sits along the Animas River. It is steeped in history from the late 1800’s when it served the San Juan mining district. Today it provides a variety of outdoor activities from fishing and kayaking along the river to mountain biking, hiking, and skiing at nearby Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort. It is also known for the narrow gauge train that runs from Durango to Silverton and back. It has a small town feel and is surrounded by The San Juan National Forest which offers spectacular beauty and a wealth of outdoor activities.
Hermosa – Baker’s Bridge
On 5 August 2015 the Gold King Mine near Silverton, Colorado had an environmental accidental disaster whereby dumping a variety of toxins into the Animas River and sending it downstream to Durango and to cities and towns further on. The river turned orange with the pollutants. Baker’s Bridge just north of Durango in Hermosa was seen in media photos during the ordeal. Baker’s Bridge along the Animas River two months later:
Hwy 550 to Silverton
Hwy 550 heads north from Durango to Silverton, about a 60 mile stretch which rises from approximately 6,000 feet to 9,000 feet in Silverton. In early October the Aspens were in full show at some of the elevations. Quite a spectacular display.
Silverton
A small historic mining community which is linked to Durango by the popular narrow gauge railroad. Silverton is mainly a tourist town and is also known for its expert ski resort with ungroomed trails and access to thousands of acres of heli skiing.
Great tour! Those aspens look amazing. I’ve been there in the summer and winter. Now if I could just make it there in the fall 🙂
Yes, fall is wonderful in the Colorado Rockies. But it is always that balance of being there either too early for the brilliant color or too late and you hit snow. Luckily, we hit it just right this fall!