2023: The Bittersweet End

The next morning, we scouted along LDH for better camp sites and found one for future use.  We topped off our water at a natural spring, then moseyed to Ouray to be tourists.  We spent too much money, ate fabulous burgers and decided to go back to site we found earlier.  It was warm this day.  The sun was high, and the breeze light.  We tucked into the birches, showered and enjoyed the mountain views all afternoon.  

We knew this was our last night in Colorado and it was bittersweet.  This trip was so incredibly needed and soul cleansing, but life doesn’t wait for you forever.  Bills have to be paid.  Families tended to.  Jobs demanding time.  But one more night in the wilderness of Arizona was on the docket.

The next morning, we packed up camp, intending to camp in the pines of Flagstaff that night.  But mother nature had other plans.  By the time we made it to Cameron, we knew our plans were shattered.  Massive lightning storms were engulfing the entire state.  It would’ve been unwise and downright unsafe to camp in those conditions.  Tails tucked, we came home a day early.  

We’ve been home for a few days and tomorrow we go back to work.  Back to the grind.  Reality sucks.     

2023: Change of Plans

During our morning pack up, we noticed the rear bumper was pushing into the tail gate when it was down.  Another trail mishap.  Tools came out, body weight was utilized and the bumper was secured.  After a tiring day prior, we were planning to tourist in Ouray, but discovered the truck seemed unhappy climbing.  So we pushed through Ouray, me with altitude sickness, to Montrose for parts.  Mike replaced the idler pulley and fan pulley.  But we think the fan clutch is toast.  That repair will have to wait.  At this point, we were in between Ouray and Grand Mesa.  So we, of course, altered plans and continued north to Grand Mesa for the night.  We found a camp spot in the pines, along a lake.  

Relaxed and enjoyed the night.  The next day we drove through the remainder of the park, along a beautiful yellow canyon where we saw a mountain goat walking along the road.  

Mike broke one of our camp chairs so we had to pit stop in Grand Junction for a new set from REI before heading back south. Instead of heading back to Silverton, we turned off at Ridgeway and camped off the Last Dollar Highway.  This was our highest campsite of the trip at 10,500 ft.  Tucked in the pines, barely breathing.  

2023: Respite in the Woods

After leaving Utah, we motored hard towards Silverton.  Stopping only briefly off 550 at Lime Creek to water the dogs and stretch our legs.  In Downton Silverton, we stopped at our favorite - Golden Block Brewery for pizza and beer.  Afterwards we jetted to our “secret” camping spot along a creek and settled in for the night.  And got rained on.  Hard.  The night was cold and damp.  We spent lots of time in camp that morning, allowing the tent and awning to dry out.

And Just Like That, It's Over

 We explored around Ridgeway, and by lunch, we had packed the A frame and started the long slog home. This was a trip to remember.  The mountains are dangerously beautiful this time of year.  But with patience and compromise, you can have your favorite trails and haunts all to yourself.

Don't think we'll top this trip.

Last Dollar Road

 As predicted, more snow rolled in.  We chose to head north/west and do the Last Dollar Road, since we knew it would keep us in "lower" elevations.

We crested into the pines and hiked a two-track.

The sun was trying its best to come out, but the snow just kept coming in waves.

We drove through Telluride, thinking we'd head to the base of the falls.

The mountain had other ideas.  We went from snowless shelf road, so snow packed road in one turn and the Jeep stopped wanting to grip.  We turned around as the snow came heavily.

This mountain is not to be trifled with.

We didn't stop in Telluride - the snow was coming hard and fast and we needed to make it back to the cabin.  It snowed into the night, accompanied by a freeze.

Animas Forks is a Snow Globe

 We lead the way towards Animas Forks, following a set of tracks for a little ways.

We hit a turn and noticed whomever was here before turned around.  We contemplated the journey with our new adventure pals in the Ram, when a local in a Toyota pickup showed up.  They were hellbent on making it to their cabin to fix some plumbing issues and had snow chains.  Throwing caution to the wind, we followed them.

The locals turned up a switch back and we forged through the snow to Animas Forks.  At this point, we could see the shale road peaking through the snow, so we were confident to continue on. And boy were we glad we did.  This will probably be the only time we can say we had Animas Forks to ourselves.

A family in a 4Runner followed us all in and the Ram left with them to continue up to more mining ruins.  We stayed around, let the dogs get some energy out and had a picnic lunch from the Jeep.  It was just so amazing to have unfettered access without the noise of side by sides.  

After a while, we packed up and headed towards Silverton to tourist and get pizza and beer from the Golden Block brewery (best pizza) to take back to the cabin.  The