Page 184 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Southwest USA & National Parks

182  THE FOUR C ORNERS THE FOUR C ORNERS  183

p Durango
y San Juan Skyway Tour Tips for Drivers Road map D2. * 17,800. ~ @
n 111 S. Camino del Rio (970) 247-
The San Juan Skyway is a 236-mile (380-km) loop Tour Route: Highway 550 from 3500; (800) 525-8855. Open Jun–Sep:
through some of America’s finest scenery. The route Durango, then 145 and 160. 8am–6pm Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm Sat,
Length: 236 miles (380 km).
travels three highways (550, 145, and 160) over the San Stopping-off points: Ridgeway 11am–4pm Sun; Oct–May: 8am–5pm
Juan Mountains, past 19th-century mining towns and State Park on Hwy 550 offers Mon–Fri. ∑ durango.org
through forests and canyons. There are 14 peaks above great views of the San Juan Durango is a lovely town with
14,000 ft (4,200 m). Between Silverton and Ouray the Mountains. shady tree-lined streets and
road is also known as the Million Dollar Highway, having splendid Victorian architecture.
either been named for the gold-rich gravel used in the Its attractive setting, on the
road’s construction or, according to another theory, banks of the Animas River,
draws increasing numbers of
because the road was expensive to build. residents, making the town the
4 Telluride 3 Ouray largest community in this part
Smaller than the ski resorts Another very Western mining Spectacular views of the Rockies from Telluride’s main street of Colorado. It is famous as the
of Aspen and Vail, Telluride’s town with a history similar to starting point of the Durango
gentrified Western character Silverton’s, Ouray has the u Telluride are the Ouray Hot Springs. To the and Silverton Narrow Gauge
attracts both wealthy jet setters added attraction of the Road map D2. * 2,400. ~ @ south, a loop road leads to Box Railroad, perhaps the most
and serious skiers. Ouray Hot Springs. Canyon Falls Park. A short trail scenic train ride in the US. A 1920s
n 700 W. Colorado Ave. (970) 728-
Montrose 3041. Open 10am–7pm daily. leads across a swinging bridge coal-fired steam train ferries more
∑ visittelluride.com to the falls’ cascade. than 200,000 visitors each year
Ridgway along the Animas River valley, up
Once a mining town like Silver- steep gradients through canyons
ton, today Telluride is a ski resort, o Silverton and mountain scenery, to
as popular with Hollywood Silverton. Passengers may choose
Placerville celebrities as the famous Aspen Road map D2. * 600. n 414 to ride in either Victorian or open-
in northern Colorado. Its late- Greene St. (970) 387-5654. Open Jul– sided “gondola” cars that offer
Aug: 9am– 5pm (till 4pm May, Jun,
Victorian center boasts upscale Sep); Oct–Apr: 10am–3pm. Closed great views. Several stops along
5 Atlas Lake ski shops, boutiques, and Thanksgiving, Dec 25, Jan 1, Easter. the way allow hikers and anglers
One of many lovely alpine lakes restaurants. Yet Telluride retains  ∑ silvertoncolorado.com access to the pristine back-
to be found along the San Juan its authentic charm; it is still country of the San Juan National
Skyway, Atlas Lake lies south of Ophir Animas River possible to imagine the days Silverton is set among snow- Forest. A good time to make the
Telluride and just north of the when Butch Cassidy lived here. covered peaks, and is one of the trip is September, when fall
high-mountain Lizard Head Pass. The ski resort’s exclusive Moun- best-preserved 19th-century colors cover the mountainsides.
tain Village lies across a mountain mining towns in the Southwest. This is a popular attraction, and
6 Dolores ridge easily reached by a free The entire town is a registered booking ahead is recommended.
Two 12th-century Ancestral 12-minute gondola ride. National Historic Landmark, and
Pueblos have been preserved here Rico In summer there are the façades along } Durango and Silverton
as part of the Anasazi Heritage walks and riding Blair Street have Narrow Gauge Railroad
Center, together with a trails, and fishing in altered little since 479 Main Ave. Tel (970) 247-2733;
Dolores River The town also hosts 1880s silver-mining Open most days year round.
museum on pueblo life. the lakes and rivers. the days of the reservations (888) 872-4607.
an annual inter- Plaque from boom that gave ∑ durangotrain.com
Stoner national film festival. Silverton County Jail the town its name.
San Juan On Greene Street,
National Forest i Ouray most buildings date from the late
19th and early 20th centuries,
Manchos River La Plata River Road map D2. * 1,000. n 1230 including the 1902 County Jail,
North Main St. (970) 325-4746; (800)
which houses the San Juan
228-1876. Open late May–early Sep:
9am–6pm Mon–Sat, 10am–4pm Sun;
Greene Street East leads 13 miles
early Sep–early Oct: 9am–5pm Mon– County Historical Museum.
(21 km) north to the ghost town,
Sat, 10am–3pm Sun; early Oct–late Animas Forks, abandoned after
May: 10am–4pm Mon–Sat, 10am–
0 km 10 3pm Sun. ∑ ouraycolorado.com the mines ran out of silver.
0 miles 10 Farmington The wonderfully preserved old E San Juan County
2 Silverton
1 Durango Silver was discovered here mining town of Ouray lies 23 miles Historical Museum
1557 Greene St. Tel (970) 387-5838.
Key The start of the Durango and in 1874. Today, this classic (37 km) north of Silverton on Hwy Open late May–Sep: 10am–5pm daily;
Silverton steam train trip, the frontier town is the scene of 550. Its stunning setting, amid
Tour route town of Durango has a charming daily mock gunfights (along mountain peaks, has made it a Oct 1–mid-Oct: 10am–3pm daily.
Other roads Victorian district and hot springs. Blair Street). popular base for hikers and 4WD Closed mid-Oct–late May. & ∑ Steam train on the Durango and Silverton
enthusiasts. To the north of town sanjuancountyhistoricalsociety.org Narrow Gauge Railroad
For keys to symbols see back flap For hotels and restaurants see p241 and pp256–7
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Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm