Look south as you drive across U.S. 160 in southern Colorado, between Pagosa Springs and Durango. What appears to be a spire of rock rises from the landscape like a sword thrust through the earth’s crust. You might glimpse a sign that informs you that the turnoff for Chimney Rock is near. Take it. The site, open each year from…
When I look back at my first attempts at skiing, I wonder how I ever made it past the snowplow. I was on long, straight heavy metal skis, wore borrowed boy’s lace-up leather boots, Stephen Bradley hadn’t invented grooming yet, the teacher was my boyfriend and the rope tow at Loveland nearly shaved the skin off my fingers. The only…
Ouray may not have its own ski area, but when it comes to winter sports, there is plenty to keep you busy. This hamlet in southwestern Colorado enjoys an envious location in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. The town sits at 7,700 feet, and is surrounded by peaks that soar another 5,000 feet. No wonder that some have…
I love snowshoeing. I love the sound of nothing but aluminum crampons crunching over a packed trail, and, even better, the thumping of 25-inch tails on fresh powder. I love the solitude; the cold, high-mountain winter air and the reward of blazing new trail that I know others will follow. It wasn’t until I started snowshoeing that I felt I…
Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway for two or a fun-filled Colorado vacation for the family, Durango proves to be the perfect staging ground for both. With picturesque scenery all around and activities that encompass all the seasons, this town is sure to be anything but a letdown. With a number of bed and breakfasts and hotels to…
If you’re headed to the Four Corners area of Colorado, chances are you’ll pass through Montrose. If so, take time to stop and appreciate this hospitable town with a few choice diversions. It’s the closest town to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of the nation’s newest national parks and worth a day of exploration on its own. The…
At first glance, you can tell Crested Butte, in south-central Colorado, is not your typical glossy ski resort town. The attention paid to retaining its mining-town character is evident – and exactly why Crested Butte was chosen as one of the Dozen Distinctive Destinations for 2008 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Wildflower gardens and Victorian architecture present a…
Far southwestern Colorado is synonymous with archeology, cliff houses and Native American history. But visitors don’t need to follow packed tours and camera-toting masses to experience the area’s wealth of Ancestral Puebloan culture. Just west of Dolores, the Anasazi Heritage Center makes a great preface for a trip through the region. The center features special and permanent exhibits that help…
If the Mobil Travel Guides rated wilderness, Chicago Basin would certainly garner five stars. It is nestled high in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, one of the most rugged and seductive alpine regions to be found in the 48 contiguous states. At 11,000 feet above sea level, its long, terraced valley is filled with grassy meadows, frequently ablaze…
There are few things that draw people to Gunnison on their Colorado vacation. The first draw is skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte in the winter months. In the summer, it is the fishing on the Gunnison River and Blue Mesa Reservoir. Others might find themselves there checking out the college, Western State. One thing that it isn’t really known…
