Day 10 – Highways and Hot Springs

Leaving Telluride we decided to go on one more hike – the 2.4 mile, 1100 feet elevation gain trail to Bridal Veil Falls. Turns out, people are really creative when it comes to naming Waterfalls… (we saw two Bridal Veil falls on this trip, one is in our home region and another in Yosemite – but I’m sure there are many more). The hike was through woods (with mosquitoes! We had totally forgotten about those), and thus shaded – which really helped with the temperature and sun exposure that had made our Gem Lake hike so challenging. About .3 miles from reaching the Falls Arthur and I turned around – dark clouds had moved in for the mid-day thunderstorms and we tried to get down before the deluge; also, climbing a mile from 8400 to 9500 feet had left my post Covid lungs struggling for enough oxygen…

Leo (now equipped with my rain jacket) and Bill ventured on to get to the falls.  They made it amid thunder and rain and will have these bragging rights forever 🙂

Our next destination required a bit of a drive and we decided on the scenic route – taking the million dollar highway from Ouray to Silverton and Durango to get to Pagosa Springs.
Ouray is even more in the middle of nowhere than Telluride, but entirely adorable and a great stop on the road, especially if one wants to explore the “old west” mining areas of Colorado.
The local “Mouse’s Chocolate and Coffee” provided sustenance for a strenuous yet unbelievably gorgeous drive. We had the first of the few overcast days we’d get on this trip – which worked out great for being in the car and getting dramatic lighting for our vistas…

After an early dinner (or much overdue lunch, really) in Durango we tackled the last few miles to Pagosa Springs where two dozen different hot tubs were awaiting our sore and road weary muscles. Ranging in temperature from 93F (the swimming pool) to 112F (the lobster pot) the options for relaxation were perfect for each person’s temperature needs.

Getting there just before sunset also gave us more spectacular views and the beauty of the twilight hour to highlight the fantastic setting (along a clear river). I can’t add the smell to the pictures, which is probably an improvement as it was quite sulfurous… but not so bad that it made you want to get away (like the smell experience of some places in Yellowstone, which still make me gag just thinking about them).