2017 Summer Adventure Guide by Telluride Daily Planet

adventure GUIDE t o t he west er n san juans

FROM MONTROSE

SUMME R

2017

TO MOAB SCRAMBLING IN THE

SAN JUANS

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CONTENTS

masthead

adventure GUIDE to the western san juans SUMMER

2017

Publisher: Andrew Mirrington

publisher@telluridenews.com Associate Publisher: Dusty Atherton, ext. 24 dusty@telluridenews.com

———— [ EDITORIAL ] ———— Editor: Andre Salvail, ext. 14

SCRAMBLING IN THE SAN JUANS By Connor O’Neil

HAPPY HOUR

THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE

HIKING ETIQUETTE

FROM MONTROSE TO MOAB

Sales and Marketing Coordinator:

KISS THE ROCK

Office Manager: Shelly Kennett, ext. 16

28 32

ALL ABOARD!

Graphic Designer:

CAMPING IS LOVE

Circulation: Telluride Delivers

CALENDAR

PARTING SHOT

andre@telluridenews.com Contributors: Justin Criado, Tanya Ishikawa, Jessica Kutz, Quinn Luthy, Carole McKelvey, Connor O’Neil, Allison Perry, Dale Strode, Regan Tuttle, Leslie Vreeland

———— [ ADVERTISING ] ———— Director of Marketing and Digital: Maureen Pelisson, ext. 21 maureen@telluridenews.com

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———— [ PRODUCTION ] ———— Production Manager: Connor O’Neil, ext. 26 connor@telluridenews.com Hanah Ausencio, hanah@telluridenews.com

Adventure Guide is owned and operated by Telluride Newspapers, Inc., P.O. Box 2315, Telluride, Colorado 81435. Phone: 970-728-9788; Fax: 970-728-8061; Editorial fax: 970-728-9793; Online edition: www.telluridenews.com

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A publication of

Cover photo: The float through Telluride’s town section is great when the water is up — and if you can avoid the rocks. (Photo by Rusty Scott) adventureGUIDE | SUMMER 20172017 5 adventureGUIDE | SUMMER 5

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SCRAMBLING IN THE SAN JUANS A guide to our 14ers

Opposite: Sunrise at Twin Lakes in Upper Chicago Basin. (Photo by Zachry D Smith) Above Right: Mandy Miller and Bridget Bryson descend Wilson Peak in June. (Photo courtesy of Mandy Miller) Above Left: Jeff Golden summits Mount Sneffels, marking his completion of every Colorado 14er. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Golden)

By CONNOR O’NEIL

he San Juan Mountains claim 14 “fourteeners” and over 200 “thirteeners” — peaks that reach the 14,000-foot and 13,000-foot thresholds, respectively — and they are widely regarded as among the more difficult climbs in Colorado. They are famous for large, loose rocks and poor maintenance. Mountains in the San Juans, however, also are noted for their extreme beauty and relatively unpopulated trails, a luxury not known within the Front Range. In the San Juans, both expert mountaineers and fairweather hikers will find suitable hikes among the 14ers, with options ranging from high-skill ascents to comfortable day summits. Whatever your preference, it’s important to first look at the “beta” — mountain-speak for ascent advice. “If you’re going out for your first 14er, you should do your research,” said Mandy Miller, executive director of the San Miguel Resource Center and yearlong mountaineer. “Beta is your friend. We don’t have those straightforward 14ers that they have on the Front Range, so there’s not as many Class 1 and 2 walk-ups.” Miller has known the risk of San Juan 14ers firsthand, having endured injuries on the descent of the San Juans’ most iconic peak, Wilson. “I was about a mile from the trailhead and it was a super sunny day, so I took off my crampons and put on micro-spikes,” she said. “Then I slipped and kinda let

myself fall down this snow slope until I slid into some boulders and crashed.” Bear in mind this happened mid-June, when snow climbing is still common. In some ascents the snowpack is a useful cover over the loose rock, but you’ll typically want an ice axe and crampons. Miller sustained several cracked ribs from the fall, but that was a side note to an otherwise great climb. “That was the most meaningful hike I’ve ever done,” she said. “It was one of the hardest and most fun successes.” She is among a growing group of Colorado 14er enthusiasts. The community is mostly centered in Golden, Colorado, where they meet occasionally to drink beer and talk beta. At the center of the community is the Colorado Fourteener Initiative, an organization that protects, restores and educates on behalf of Colorado 14ers. They’re responsible for grading summit trails (D+ for the San Juans), and for measuring trail use (San Juans are the least hiked). Only seven blocks from the Fourteener Initative is a close ally, the Colorado Mountain Club. Jeff Golden is the club’s marketing manager, and like many in that dense concentration of mountaineers, he has climbed all of Colorado’s 58 14ers. Jeff started and ended his 14er feat in the San Juans, having since climbed many of the peaks twice, making him as good a source as any for beta. “Difficulty is subjective,” said Golden, “but the four in the Chicago Basin all require some basic, Class 3

scrambling at least. The summit of Sunlight Peak, kind of like Wilson Peak, is within the folklore of 14ers. There’s this little jump across a gap to the summit, and at the top is a sheer 2,000-foot drop to the basin.” The Chicago Basin is often accessed via the Durango & Silverton narrow gauge railroad ($70 at the time of this writing). To save money and get in an extra eight miles, you also can start from Purgatory Ski Resort. Once you complete those, another formidable group is a couple hours’ drive away. “The Wilson Group is really more dangerous than difficult. I’ve heard of people moving refrigerator sized-rocks up there,” said Golden. To protect from appliance-sized rocks, many hikers wear a helmet near the summits of these peaks. “The summit block of Mount Wilson is one of the more notoriously scary places. It’s really only 20 to 30 feet of exposed scrambling, but if you fall, it’s not going to be a good time,” he said. “The views from the summit though, 360 degrees around, are awe inspiring.” And the easiest? Golden and Miller agree: Handies Peak. “It is truly just a Class 1 walk-up and is only about six miles round-trip, so bring your dogs, bring your kids,” Miller said. “The peaks around Lake City are all a little easier,” Golden added. “Red Cloud and Sunshine are the next easiest, especially if you do both of them combined. Once you’re on the summit of Red Cloud, it’s about a >>> adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

Sunset at Wilson Peak. (Photo courtesy of Breanna Demont)

mile over to Sunshine. It’s a really nice, long, Class 1/ Class 2 hike. Uncompahgre Peak, also right around Lake City, is pretty doable for most,” he said. Of course, the 14er distinction is somewhat arbitrary, with peaks like Uncompahgre topping out at one foot above 14,000, and Stewart Peak of the San Juans missing the title by just 10 feet. Moreover, altitude and difficulty are not directly correlated (try Lizard Head peak next time you’re hiking the Wilson Group). “You don’t have to hike a 14er to feel like a badass around here,” Miller said. “If you just want to hike something that’s a pinnacle that you can see from town, do Ajax. It’s only a 12er, but you still get that awesome feeling and great views,” she said. “That’s what I recommend to all my friends.” Other accessible “as-good-as 14ers” include the peaks of Ice Lake Basin and Mill Creek Basin. But if you’re not motivated by crossing 14ers off your list — or by training to beat the standing record of all 58 peaks in a little under 10 days — there are still good reasons to explore the remote and rocky peaks of Colorado. “Once you go through hell, it makes everything easier,” Miller said. “It even makes being director of a domestic abuse resource center easier.”

adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

THE FOURTEENERS OF THE SAN JUANS STATE RANKING

NAME HEIGHT COUNTY

6 Uncompahgre Peak 14,309’ Hinsdale 11 Mount Wilson 14,246’ San Miguel * El Diente Peak 14,159’ San Miguel 27 Mount Sneffels 14,150’ Ouray 32 Mount Eolus 14,083’ La Plata 33 Windom Peak 14,082’ La Plata 39 Sunlight Peak 14,059’ La Plata 40 Handies Peak 14,048’ Hinsdale * North Eolus 14,039’ La Plata 46 Redcloud Peak 14,034’ Hinsdale 48 Wilson Peak 14,017’ San Miguel 49 Wetterhorn Peak 14,015’ Ouray 50 San Luis Peak 14,014’ Saguache 53 Sunshine Peak 14,001’ Hinsdale

* El Diente and North Eolus are both “unofficial” because they are not prominent enough. Prominence is the measure of a mountain’s summit by the vertical distance between it and the lowest contour line encircling it but containing no higher summit within it.

CLASS 1: Hiking. CLASS 2: Simple scrambling, with the possible occasional use of the hands. CLASS 3: Scrambling; a rope might be carried. CLASS 4: Simple climbing, often with exposure. A rope is often used. A fall on Class 4 rock could be fatal. Typically, natural protection can be easily found. CLASS 5: Where rock climbing begins in earnest. Climbing involves the use of a rope, belaying and protection (natural or artificial) to protect the leader from a long fall.

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HAPPY HOUR Canoeing on the San Miguel River

Regan Tuttle and Rusty Scott take their three girls on a peaceful section, looking for wildlife, in the ditch channel that breaks off the San Miguel River on the Valley Floor. (Photo by Rusty Scott) Above left: Paddle in-hand and Stella Artois in-tow, Rusty Scott steers the Mad River canoe down the San Miguel River in a nightly adventure. (Photo by Regan Tuttle) Above right: Regan Tuttle paddles right to avoid the beaver dam on the San Miguel. (Photo by Rusty Scott)

By REGAN TUTTLE

ears ago when I told my mom I was spending the summer following the Grateful Dead, she was more confused than worried. “Why would you want to see the same show night after night?” she asked. I told her that wasn’t the case, that every show would be different. Part of the magic of seeing the Dead was that you never knew what you might get. They always changed songs each show: a “Franklin’s Tower,” a “Wharf Rat” or a “Brokedown Palace” would randomly make a night special. The people, the sights, the sounds varied on the tour, and though I had hopes, I could only guess what I would hear when I walked through the gates on a given night. Years later, in Telluride, I am giving my mom a similar answer when she asks why I am floating the San Miguel River every evening in the summer. “Mom,” I explain. “It’s like seeing the Dead. It’s different every night.” My boyfriend Rusty Scott has a Mad River canoe. Usually at about 5 p.m., we grab two cans of Stella Artois (the canoe has cupholders), and we launch from the Shankdoka parking lot, PFDs on and oars in-hand — with him steering in the back and me perched up front, waiting for him to yell a command, like “paddle on the left!” He and I make a great team on our happy-hour floats, and there’s nothing more we’d rather do to make the most of the short warm season. Average float time is about one to two hours, and that’s standard. What we can’t plan for, however, are the

variables. Like a Dead show, we might have hopes, but we aren’t really sure what the nightly trip will hold. Depending on snowmelt or how much rain we’ve had, the conditions — like the depth of the river, what rocks show up and where the strainers are — will vary. The strainers are where the water undercuts the bank and trees and bushes lean over acting like a giant colander, letting only water pass. The strainer can hold the canoe in a whirlpool of water like a trap, though we usually make it out if we hit one — well, except for that time when I brought my iPhone and wore flip-flops instead of Chacos. (Lesson learned.) If the river is up, and we have a little more time, we’ll start further up and east, toward the mine. That means paddling through Telluride Town Park, through the big rocks (sketchy!) by the Ah Haa School for the Arts and ducking through the tunnel bridges on the west side of town. The weather is another factor altogether. Last Fourth of July, I wore winter gear and was still shivering through a rainy float. Still, the scenery was amazing that night with the flat light and clouds. Other evenings, I’ve been perfectly comfortable in a bikini top, wearing a hat to keep the setting sun out of my eyes. Often I’ll bring a jacket just in case. What really makes a float trip magical, though, is the wildlife. We never know just who will be out. “Oh, I hope we see the mother duck and her babies tonight,” I often tell Rusty once we get past the giant beaver dam, an incredible structure in itself, on the Valley Floor without tipping over. I’ve actually had a beaver swim right up to the front of the canoe and slap the water hard so hard with his paddle-like tail, he splashed me in the face!

“This is his territory,” Rusty reminded me. The Dippers, the river birds, are usually out and about with us, and every once in a while a hummingbird comes to say hello. When the water is running clear, you can sometimes see the fish beneath you as you go sailing by, and I can always smell the elk — their dusty scent — when the river slows down and evens out, across from the Eider Creek condos. We do see a few. Once, we spotted a cow and her baby grazing by the bank just yards away. Now that was a great night. And we’re always looking for coyotes or a bear. Canoe season is our nightly summer adventure. We’re always a bit disappointed when we reach Society Drive and Rusty’s truck that’s parked on the edge of the Valley Floor. More than once, we’ve done a second lap — much to the dismay of our kids who wonder what happened to dinner. We’re really bummed, though, around August. That’s when the water runs low, and the canoe is scraping along the rocks at the bottom of the river, sometimes leaving us stuck. Then we know the end is near. This year’s going to be good though. We have adequate snowpack, and at the end of last summer, the Town of Telluride completed construction on part of the San Miguel. Officials wanted to return the river to more of its original and natural course. For us, that’s exciting; it means another unknown. At the end of the day, it won’t matter what happened at work, if Rusty and I argued or how much money we have in the bank. None of that is of concern when we’re floating. Jerry Garcia sang about this type of medicine for decades: “Listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock my soul.” adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

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THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE

Skydiving with a San Juan Mountain backdrop

By TANYA ISHIKAWA

ncredible! Amazing! Awesome! If you’ve been thinking about tandem skydiving, if it’s been on your bucket list for a while, but you’ve been pondering whether you could do it, I say, “Go for it!” I had big hopes to go skydiving for my 30th birthday. I didn’t do it. I didn’t think I had enough money, time, guts or whatever else could dissuade me from taking the leap. For years and then decades, those same obstacles held me back. As it turns out, my real barriers were lack of knowledge about skydiving and never having met a dedicated skydiver. Fortunately for me, I met world-class wingsuiter Simon Repton last year. Not quite 10 years my junior, he has achieved more than 1,400 total jumps, including 1,100 wingsuit flights out of planes. My curiosity and excitement came flooding back as I listened to him describe flying through the sky, the careful preparation and the low accident rate. In 2015, the U.S. Parachute Association recorded 21 fatal skydiving accidents in the U.S. out of roughly 3.5 million jumps — 0.006 fatalities per 1,000 jumps. My plan was to make my first jump last fall at Moab’s Mother of all Boogies, an annual four-day festival of skydiving that Simon recommended. But, I didn’t make it there.

Luckily for me, a much better opportunity came up this spring. Ben Lowe, a Moabbased skydiving legend with 8,500-plus jumps, opened a drop zone (as skydiving bases are known) in Delta in April, and Simon — who is a good friend of Ben’s —invited me to be one of his first local customers. Yes, I was scared. Yes, I was unsure of my mental and physical readiness for hurtling through the air at speeds of 120 miles per hour or more. Yet, I trusted Simon’s recommendation, I did some online research about my biggest concerns (for instance, you are not likely to black out if you are falling properly unless you are prone to blacking out already), and I checked out Ben’s website, ultimateskydivingadventures.com/about. Guess what? Not only is he ultra-experienced, he is a Federal Aviation Administration master parachute rigger.

I arrived at the drop zone at Blake Field in Delta on a perfectly clear, sunny day, emotionally prepared and confident in the person who would be strapped to my back and helping me do the inexplicable — jump out of a perfectly good plane (something several Facebook friends pointed out as a strange idea). Ultimate Skydiving Adventures customer service guru Giovanni met me at the gate and escorted me to the hangar, where three family members from North Carolina were giddily recounting their jumps completed that morning. One jumper was 16 years old; they had come all the way to Colorado just so he could tandem with Ben — the only skydiver in the U.S. who advertises tandem skydives for customers under 18 (and that’s a whole other story but there’s not room enough here to go into it). Also, waiting in the hangar was Ivanna, another first timer who would go before me, and soon another first >>>

My stomach only started turning in knots about two minutes before it was time to exit the plane. Then, the door opened...

Opposite: Adventure Guide writer Tanya Ishikawa smiles with relief and elation as Ben Lowe (on her back) takes photos with a GoPro on his wrist, just after jumping from an airplane and leveling out. (Photo courtesy of Ultimate Skydiving Adventures) Left: Ultimate Skydiving Adventures Owner Ben Lowe folds a parachute after a tandem jump. (Photo by Tanya Ishikawa) Right: Still a few hundred feet above ground, Ben and Tanya float downward toward the landing spot. (Photo courtesy of Ultimate Skydiving Adventures)

adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

Above: At 8,000 feet in the air, with feet out of the airplane and sitting on Ben’s lap, Tanya looks down as pilot John Schmotzer smiles in the background. (Photo courtesy of Ultimate Skydiving Adventures)

timer, Justin arrived, too. We all watched the mandatory safety video, as the experience became more and more surreal. Watching ZZ-Top-bearded Bill Booth, a world-renowned skydiving pioneer and safety equipment inventor, disclose the same cautionary words as the required eight-page waiver was icing on the phantasmagoric cake. “You don’t have to skydive. You can say no at anytime. You can choose another company to go with. You understand that many companies, individuals, equipment and vehicles are required to skydive, and since nothing is perfect, at least some chance of failure is present in the activity. You nor your heirs or others can hold the companies and individuals liable…” Was I sure I wanted to jump? You betcha. I was stoked. Ben and Giovanni were easygoing, fun and answered whatever crazy question came out of my mouth as the adrenalin began to pump. After Ben shared a few instructions on where to place my arms and legs while exiting the plane and during the fall, he and I crawled into our spots on the floor of the one-seater, prop airplane next to our trusty pilot, John.

adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

The 20-minute flight up to jumping altitude was wonderful (even if the plane’s motor sounded disconcertingly like a lawnmower). My stomach only started turning in knots about two minutes before it was time to exit the plane. Then, the door opened, I fumbled a bit with getting my feet out the door and onto the bar, but managed it and immediately got into jumping position (completely forgetting to smile first at the GoPro at the end of Ben’s arm). He pushed us out and I fell with perfect grace and positioning (in my own estimation). As the air pummeled us, causing my nostrils to flare unattractively and my ears to flap mercilessly, I smiled my brains out — for the sake of the GoPro as well as my instructor’s ease and mostly due to the pure excitement of being in freefall at 8,000 feet above ground. My favorite part was after the parachute opened: nearly five minutes of fantastic freedom high above the world, with the best, unobstructed 360-degree view possible. Truly, the feeling was magical, so satisfying and peaceful (nothing like my eerie recurring dreams of flying where I have to dodge power lines — again, that’s

another story for another time). So, as I wrote at the start: My advice to those of you who want to try skydiving is, “Do it!” Do a tandem with a trustworthy company that gives you time to visit with your tandem buddy and get comfortable before you go up. I’m definitely going up again someday (hopefully this summer). Two other pieces of personal advice that should help your trip go better: • Brush your teeth before you go. I forgot to as I was rushing out the door, but it turns out that you’re smiling a lot in skydiving photos so the whiter the teeth the better, and besides having good breath is only kind to the person you’re strapped to. • Bring a designated driver if possible. My mind was so distracted on the drive to and from the dive, not to mention the adrenalin rush that was clouding my view, that it was not the safest car ride. Besides, the statistics on highway safety are much grimmer than those for skydiving.

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HIKING ETIQUETTE

Increased trail usage raises importance of protocol

Opposite: (Photo by Maureen Pelisson) Left: The author gives her puppy a lift on Vermillon Peak. The peak, which is visible from Lizard Head Pass, offers stunning views and can be accessed from Ice Lake or Trout Lake, the former being an easier and more direct route, although the hike is strenuous. (Photo by Allison Perry) Right: Matt Weldon takes in the view from the trail up Ballard Peak, a easily accessed and popular peak visible from Telluride’s main street. Ballard is a strenuous hike but offers stunning panoramic views for those who are not faint of heart (or leg.) (Photo by Allison Perry)

By ALLISON PERRY

t’s inevitable. You live in a small, sleepy mountain town. Every trail is your own private oasis. Powder days extend for a week because you know all the stashes and everyone went to Aspen. Then, one day, they’re everywhere. More locals. More visitors. The more the merrier, right? Living in Telluride is a double-edged sword. It’s so amazing that lots of other people were bound to discover its awesomeness and flock like seagulls to get the proverbial taste. I’m not here to decipher whether this is good or bad. It’s both. However, with increased usage on local trails and the Via Ferrata, Telluride Mountain Club is here to help decipher how to use trails appropriately now that there’s a lot more ants on the anthills. I love hiking. I’ve been doing it forever. A typical conversation: “Wait. Am I supposed to get out of the way of the dude running balls-to-the-walls downhill when I need what little momentum I have to push me up the steep section, or is it he who must step aside?” Or... “Am I an a-hole for hauling straight up and avoiding all those pesky switchbacks just because I can and I left too late and I want to save time?” Trail etiquette and protocols may seem outdated or annoying. And when we’re talking about trails that aren’t used much, perhaps they aren’t necessary. But when droves of people start showing up, protocols become necessary to preserve the environment we are all trying so hard to continue to enjoy. So, what are the rules? Whether written or not, they exist. And for good reason. As the Via Feratta specifically becomes an exponentially more desired destination and activity for both locals and tourists, the Telluride Mountain

Club urges users to seek guides if they lack climbing experience and/or gear. “Even if some of its sections seem more like an exposed hiking trail than a rock climb, make no mistake, this climbing route requires technical climbing abilities and gear,” the club website explains. “An accident on this route could easily have fatal consequences, and even a sprained ankle can quickly become a serious event and potentially a major rescue. If you have any doubts about your abilities, please hire a local guide to take you for a more enjoyable (and less stressful) experience.” As for more mellow hiking routes, the mountain club is asking users to pay more attention to protocols and, according to its public relations liaison, Heidi Lauterbach, more U.S. forest rangers and other personnel have been hired for this summer to educate people regarding these protocols and help ensure the integrity of the trails and the environment stays intact. The club has outlined that we should all be a bit more mindful of: Cutting switchbacks to save time? Nay. According to Lauterbach, “There is a reason (switchbacks) exist; please don’t make your own trail to save time between switchbacks. Trail erosion will speed up and vegetation is greatly impacted, in a negative way.” So, next time you get tempted to center punch the gut on the way up, just remember how many more calories you might burn meandering for awhile longer and how much good it might do the mountains if not just you, but everyone, remembers to stick to the route the trail crew graciously worked their asses off to put in place for you and Mother Earth. TMC also requests that those who use the trails in the area (and everywhere, really) obtain a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) card. According to Lauterbach, “You are contributing to the Search and Rescue Fund, which will reimburse

these teams for costs incurred in search and rescues across the State of Colorado.” The card costs $3 a year. The least we can do for the people who might have to collect our scattered body parts and get us out of situations that no reasonable human being should ever be in, let alone have to extract someone else from, is contribute $3 a year. Come on, people. Show the love. SAR members, who are volunteers, have to perform some of the most complicated rescues possible in horrific conditions (how else did the victim get there in the first place, after all?). As a ski patroller I’ve been trained to respond to some relatively heinous situations and I wouldn’t touch being in search and rescue with a 10-foot pole. Too intense. If you like hiking in the San Juans and Via Feratta-ing, just get a card. Trust me. You want SAR to continue to be a thing. Your life might depend on it one day. Other protocols are fairly common sense: pick up after your dog; leave no trace, pick up and pack out all your waste; be prepared for all kinds of weather: rain, snow, hail, lightning, heat; and, always tell someone where you’re going. Don’t be the “127 Hours” guy. If that guy told his buddy where he was going and when he expected to be back, he’d still have two arms and a lot less cash. As for the right-of-way rules: Horses win over bikes and hikers. Generally the uphill hiker has the right of way, but as a nice human who believes in karma, you should yield to anyone who seems to be riding a bigger struggle bus than you are. On a bike, yield to the uphill biker because she/he’s probably always going to be working harder. If you have any confusion as to how to hike properly, check out TMC’s website for the rules and suggestions. With so many more people on our trails it truly is essential that we use them respectfully, properly and in a conscientious way.

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FROM MONTROSE MOAB Driving the Rimrocker Trail

Opposite: A faux waterfall emerges from the desert landscape at Ken’s Lake Campground near Moab. (Michael Lawton/Special to the Adventure Guide) Above: A car drives up the Rimrocker Trail approaching The Umcompahgre Forest. (Michael Lawton/Special to the Adventure Guide)

By CAROLE MCKELVEY

raveling the newly designated Rimrocker Trail from Montrose, Colorado, to Moab, Utah, is spectacular, beautiful and well, a bit scary. Expect a transition from paved to dirt to very rough roads. This new and long 4WD trail travels 160 miles from State Highway 90 near the City of Montrose across the Umcompahgre Plateau, through the Umcompahgre National Forest, over Columbine Pass, through the town of Nucla, and across the Colorado state line into Utah, into the La Sal Mountains. Along the way are high mesa vistas, distant mountains, red rock country, old mines and the lost city of Uravan. The prize is entry into the dazzling canyon lands around Moab, Utah. THE TRAIL First task, finding the beginning of the trail. Jon Waschbusch, Montrose County government affairs director, admits the signage along the new trail needs some improvement. The Montrose County Rimrocker Trail Guide, however, states the trail “is very well signed for its entire length” and an excellent paper map is available from the Montrose Visitors Center, the Visitors Center in Naturita and several other locations. On the Colorado side of the trail you find

green florescent signs with the glowing Rimrocker Trail insignia every few miles, which switch to brown as you get into the national forest areas and into Utah. On our first attempt at the trail in early spring in our 4WD Ford truck, photographer Michael Lawton and I used a variety of methods to find our way along the wilderness the trail traverses. The 2016 map issued by Montrose County is not as user-friendly as we hoped. Or perhaps we are not as map-friendly as we thought! We also relied upon an atlas, a local map, and signs to find our way, taking a few wrong turns from time to time. We didn’t have GPS, so couldn’t take advantage of the GPS data available at rimrockertrail.org. We heeded official guidelines and were happy we’d brought along layers of clothing and some water and snacks. There are no services along the first 11 miles of the trail. Bringing extra gas also would have been smart, although we couldn’t go that far. We ran into closures due to weather and the early date we traveled. It is recommended you travel on OHVs or motorcycles or mountain bikes. We were not in a proper vehicle to traverse certain parts of the trail, as there are some impressive rocks, but did our best hitting the open sections. Those wishing to travel the trail would do well to look at YouTube for videos by motorcyclists who’ve traversed it to see the conditions and prepare properly. The effort is well worth the time.

Waschbusch said the high elevations of the route through the Uncompahgre National Forest would be open by Memorial Day weekend. He noted, “It has been a big snow year so that’s not a certainty, but typically the roads have dried enough by that point. The remainder of the route is lower than the plateau and should be open once the high country has dried out.” The big snow year also means there will be high runoff, Waschbusch said. “Riders need to use caution when considering creek crossings and drainage areas during spring runoff. If in doubt, turn around,” he advised. We were surprised when the Moab Visitor Center did not have the map available when we eventually stopped there. Waschbusch noted the Moab Information Center distributed maps last year and is planning to distribute them again this year. “In the course of planning the trail,” Waschbusch said, “Montrose County presented to the Moab Chamber of Commerce, Grand County Council and Moab Travel Council,” he said. “There will be some additional signage,” he added. “We’ve received feedback that route finding can be difficult between the state line and Moab due to the number of intersections. “San Juan County, Utah, has been a great partner for the Rimrocker and is agreeable to some additional route markers being installed. The plan is to have that >>> adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

Left: Nucla offers bucolic views as you travel the trail through town. (Michael Lawton/Special to the Adventure Guide) Right: A highway sign along the Rimrocker has been used for target practice. (Michael Lawton/Special to the Adventure Guide)

work completed by Memorial Day weekend,” he said. The route markers will be the same brown carsonite posts with reflective Rimrocker stickers that already are in use in that area. Downloadable GPS data for the route is available at rimrockertrail.org. Waschbusch said, “This is a great resource for GPS users traveling the route.” The trail wouldn’t be fully passable until Memorial Day, as we found out about 11 miles past the initial “staging area” approaching the Uncompahgre National Forest. This part of the trail is along county roads and is within the boundaries of Montrose County. It’s a gradual climb with some switchbacks to the high point of 9,840 feet. We were stopped by snow on the road at 9,000 feet. THE ROUTE Head west from Montrose on Main Street. Right after leaving town, Main Street becomes State Highway 90. Follow Highway 90 (with some rights and lefts) until just beyond where the pavement ends. At a fork, Shavano Road goes to the right, but take the left onto Highway 90 to find a large open staging area on the left. You will see the first green trail marker with the RR symbol. This is the beginning. The trail follows 90 on a very passable dirt road. There is no large marker stating this is the beginning of the trail, so check your GPS or your map or look for the small green sign. I can’t tell you how happy we were to spot that sign. The map is downloadable and printable from the rimrockertrail.org site. The trail runs through high Umcompahgre Plateau country, with vistas of sagebrush and pinon trees and mountains in the 26

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background. It’s not too spectacular, but really quiet and peaceful. Off to the left on the road you see beautiful vistas looking down on the valley below and the San Juan Mountains beyond. Beautiful photos are possible along this stretch. You won’t encounter too many homes, but there are a few ranches along the road. At one pullover, leading to an expansive view with a San Juan backdrop, and the Montrose valley below, we ran into one fellow traveler, Miles Millwee, from Florida. Millwee was on his way to Salt Lake City and accidentally ended up on the trail. “I don’t know anything about the Rimrocker Trail,” Millwee said. “I’m on my way to Salt Lake to drop off this car so my family and I can come and explore the West this summer. He was traveling the route thinking he might be able to see the scenery and get to Salt Lake, somehow. Millwee found out that wasn’t possible until Memorial Day weekend, when we encountered him again, turning around at a snow bank at the entrance to the Uncompahgre National Forest. We’d been traveling on a decent dry road almost up to that point. Just past the Silesca Ranger Station and lake, snow on the road made the route impassible. A note said the portion of the trail and the nearby campground would be open July 1. We turned around to try to re-hook up with the trail, but Millwee said, “I’m going to stick around and explore this area.” So Michael and I left him there in the snow in his shorts and hiking boots in the sunshine. On our way up the trail we ran into another unlikely Rimrocker traveler. Montrose resident Michael Ann Blume, in her 80s, had pulled her 1977 motor home

over at a turnaround next to the nearby rushing Pryor Creek. She had set out her camp chairs and was planning to spend “a few nights enjoying the peace and quiet. I just had to get out of town,” Blume said. We admired her spunk to be traveling alone on the trail. The Rimrocker Guide suggests always traveling with a companion. To us that seemed like a smart idea. Blume had asked us — if we came back past her spot — to let her know if she could go further in her older motor home. We obliged when we passed her on the way down the plateau, saying it would be wise to stay put and not go any farther. The trail at this point was certainly passable by 4WD vehicles, and once the forest is open you will be on the same road, now called Forest Road 540. As we traveled along “Part 1: Montrose to Nucla” the trail was an up-and-down affair, with no facilities. We were traveling up and over the Uncompahgre Plateau on a good, graded dirt road. This plateau is a long and narrow flat-topped landscape about 25 miles wide and 100 miles long, according to the Rimrocker Trail Guide. The guide calls the trail from Montrose to Moab “Colorado’s longest 4WD trail. 160 miles of dirt and fun.” We found it to be all that. Waschbusch states that there “has been a lot of interest” in the trail. Traveling along it during the early spring, we didn’t see too many others attempting the Montrose portion of the trail. Utah was another story, with quite a few off-road vehicles — jeeps, ATV and such — enjoying that portion. As we backtracked the Montrose portion, we decided to pursue the other end of the trail the next day. But this a day trip worth the drive. The scenery

Left: The road seems to go on forever. (Michael Lawton/Special to the Adventure Guide) Right: The luminescent green sign marking the Rimrocker Trail out of Montrose. (Michael Lawton/Special to the Adventure Guide)

and peace and quiet are truly wonderful. It’s really worth taking a picnic. There also are quite a few side trails one can explore for off-road vehicles or bikes or hiking trails. Several spectacular off-road experiences include Robideau Jeep Road, Monitor Mesa Roads as well as others along this stretch of the Rimrocker. There is no off-road camping in this area, however, or other services. Many of the side roads are private, so heed the guidelines and “private road” signs. CAMPING Speaking of campgrounds, several along the trail are worth noting and planning a stop; the first campground along the trail is called The Ballpark, then there are several campgrounds in the Uncompahgre National Forest area open after July 1; as you head toward Nucla you will find Columbine Pass and Columbine campground. A word to the wise: It’s always best to reserve a campsite ahead of time on the Internet. On our second day on the trail we entered it from Nucla, a quaint little town on the West End of Montrose County, by going up Highways 550 to 145 to 141 to 96 into Nucla. Also nearby is the town of Naturita, where you can find a motel, convenience store, car wash and visitors center. Be aware if you are continuing beyond Highway 141 on the trail, this is the last chance for gas. Consider filling up in either Nucla or Naturita.

RIM BOX GENERAL DISCLAIMER

The Rimrocker Trail runs long stretches through remote areas (that’s why it’s awesome). Large portions of the route are rough, narrow and steep (again, awesome). The route between Nucla and Moab is recommended for 4WD/High Clearance vehicles and OHVs only. When traveling on the Rimrocker, users should plan to be self reliant and recognize that cell phone coverage is very limited.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Travel with another person or vehicle • Carry maps and know how to use them • Bring adequate food and water for your planned trip and emergency purposes • Scout the route on foot if you are uncertain about your ability to navigate a portion in your vehicle • Wear a helmet when riding a bike or OHV • Carry first aid and emergency supplies including extra clothing • Develop riding and driving skills on easier, more accessible routes • Let a friend or relative know your itinerary

MAP INFORMATION

The Rimrocker Trail Map is meant as a navigational guide for the Rimrocker Trail only. The other roads shown on the map are strictly for informational purposes. Users should check travel management restrictions and conditions on other roads prior to travel. All vehicles and mountain bikes must use designated routes only. Please check all trailside kiosks for local dispersed camping restrictions and information. SOURCE: Rimrocker Trail Map adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

THE

KISS ROCK

Ultrarunners embrace iconic challenge in the San Juan Mountains

Opposite: Bethany Lewis of Utah scrambles up a steep part of the course during the 2016 Hardrock 100 mountain trail run. Lewis completed the 100-mile race that reaches Silverton, Telluride, Ouray and Lake City, in 31 hours, 56 minutes, 36 seconds. She finished third among women competitors and 12th overall. (Photo by Jared Campbell) Above: Volunteers staff the legendary Kroger’s Cantina aid station, one of the many traditions of the Hardrock 100 mountain trail run. (Photo by Jared Campbell)

By DALE STRODE

he toughest physical test in the San Juan Mountains each year ends with a kiss. Yes, a kiss. The legendary Hardrock 100 mountain endurance run starts in Silverton and ends 100 miles later back in Silverton after a San Juan loop that includes stops in Telluride, Ouray and Lake City. At the finish line, a giant boulder awaits just outside the front door to the Silverton School. The huge rocky relic from the bygone era of hard-rock mining now stands as an ultrarunning monument: Each runner who completes the 100-mile odyssey kisses the finish-line rock in celebration. It’s a well-earned kiss, by all accounts. To earn the hard-to-get smooch, the ultrarunners must conquer 33,050 feet of climbing and a like number of feet in descent over the 100-mile circuitous course that alternates each year between clockwise and counterclockwise. They run on 4WD roads, dirt trails, rocky paths, scree fields and narrow foot trails — often with heartstopping exposure. Especially at night when they use headlamps and flashlights to navigate in the race that starts at 6 a.m. in Silverton. The course takes the runners to a high elevation of 14,048 feet on Handies Peak. Their average elevation is 11,186 feet in the annual mid-July event that is designed to present extreme challenges in altitude, steepness and remoteness, as well as wilderness navigation and survival.

The ultimate reward — “Kissing the Rock” — has become an internationally celebrated mantra of mountain ultrarunning, known from Mont Blanc to Mount Sneffels. THE FINISH LINE “The rock was kind of an accident, actually,” said longtime Hardrock director Dale Garland, who also helped start the Hardrock 100-mile trail run 29 years ago. A modest field of 30 runners and hikers had gathered in Silverton for the inaugural Hardrock 100, he said. The idea for the event had come from Boulder trail runner Gordon Hardman, who envisioned a backcountry run linking the four mining towns of Silverton, Telluride, Ouray and Lake City. “Ultrarunning was in its infancy then,” said Garland, part of a group of runners that included Rick Trujillo and John Capps — active runners who knew the trails in the region. With cooperation from the Bureau of Land Management, they designed a 100-mile loop course. Those first-year runners, at the starting line, asked what they had to do to finish the race. “You have to … touch this rock,” Garland said in an ad lib that would take on an identity all its own. From the first rock in the Silverton street, they graduated to the big hard-rock boulder, left over from the hard-rock mining competitions of days gone by. Runners touched the rock over the years; they often embraced it. “It was an evolutionary thing. Then, one year, someone kissed the rock, and that became part of

the tradition,” Garland said. “For them, it’s almost reverential ( to kiss the rock after 100 miles). “I’ve seen the gamut of emotions there … from relief to outright elation,” said Garland, who has seen virtually every finisher over the nearly 30-year history of the event. From the inauspicious beginning, the Hardrock 100 steadily blossomed into an elite event that features rigorous qualifying standards as well as a long waiting list for the few coveted entry spots each summer. The field is limited to about 150 runners each year. INTERNATIONAL FIELD “This year, we have runners from 48 states and 43 foreign countries,” Garland said of the 2017 run, which is scheduled for the counterclockwise route starting in Silverton and heading immediately for Handies Peak followed by trails to Ouray, Telluride and Silverton. Garland, a longtime Durango High School teacher and former mayor of Durango, said the Hardrock has benefited from the incredible network of trails in the San Juans and the unyielding support of the local volunteers and the international ultra community. The top mountain runners from around the world — like reigning co-champion Kilian Jornet of Spain — have traveled to the San Juans in hopes of kissing the rock. “Kilian came just to be immersed in what we’re doing,” Garland said of the decorated trail runner/ski mountaineer from Spain. A superstar in Europe in the ultra scene, Jornet came to Colorado and won the Hardrock 100 in 2014 and again in 2015. “It’s cool to >>> adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

A participant in the 2016 Hardrock 100 uses poles to help navigate the 100-mile loop trail in the San Juan Mountains. (Photo by Jared Campbell)

have a runner of his caliber wanting to be a part of it,” Garland said. Jornet’s 2014 time of 22 hours, 41 minutes remains the Hardrock record. Last summer, he and Jason Schlarb of Durango shared the Hardrock title as they crossed the finish line together after one of the closest 1-2 duels in Hardrock history. They finished in 22 hours, 58 minutes, 28 seconds. “When you run long distances, it’s to share it with nature and the environment, volunteers and the other runners,” Jornet told The Denver Post at the time. “It makes no sense to finish on a sprint after 23 hours sharing a race.” The shared victory embodies the spirt of the Hardrock 100, Garland said. Jornet also owns impressive race records on Denali, Aconcagua, the Matterhorn and the aforementioned Mont Blanc. France’s Sebastien Chaigneau, another top international mountain runner, won the 2013 Hardrock, following in the footsteps of countryman Julien Chorier, who won in 2011. 30

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Anna Frost of New Zealand is the two-time reigning Hardrock women’s champion. She won last year in 29:02:09 with Emma Roca of Spain second (29:36:40). Frost finished eighth overall a year ago. HARDBACK’S PRINCESS DI Diana Finkel of South Fork, the only women’s fourtime winner (2008-11), holds the women’s Hardrock record of 27 hours and 18 minutes, set in 2009. Finkel nearly won the overall Hardrock title in 2010, when she led for much of the 100-mile race. She eventually was second to Utah’s Jared Campbell, who won with a strong late finish — still one of the most memorable Hardrock finishes ever, according to Garland. “I think the San Juans (are) one of the most incredible places on Earth,” said Campbell, who completed the Hardrock 10 times. “I first jumped into it when I was very young … 23. And I was hooked. It shaped some transformative years of my life.” Campbell came into the sport as a rock climber. “I had spent years prior rock climbing all over the world,” he said.

The avid outdoorsman was intrigued by a trail race that included tons of climbing — and the ascent of a 14er. His life, he said, hasn’t been the same since. He now takes his wife and two young children back to Silverton each mid-July to partake in the spirit of the Hardrock 100. Last year, he helped at one of the aid stations. For years, he encouraged his friends “to experience the San Juans.” “That’s really what the Hardrock 100 is,” Campbell said. “The San Juans … when something moves you, you have to share it with others.” Legendary ultrarunner Karl Meltzer, also of Utah, also produced some dramatic Hardrock moments, according to race director Garland, including his five victories — the most of any runner. Meltzer’s last title came in 2009 at age 41. He’s since gone on to other ultrarunning milestones, like running the entire length of the Pony Express route from California to Missouri over a month and a half.

A fixed rope assists runners on a steep section of the Hardrock 100 trail run. (Photo by Jared Campbell)

22 IN A ROW Colorado ultrarunner Kirk Apt has completed the Hardrock 100 more times than any other runner. He extended his Hardrock streak to 22 in a row last year with entry set for the 2017 event. “From my perspective, there are two main things that make the Hardrock what it is,” Apt said. “First are the magnificent San Juan Mountains and the most incredible terrain we get to traverse over a couple days. Second is the camaraderie that everyone who becomes a part of the Hardrock feels. “I’ve been to a lot of races, and nothing comes close to the feeling at Hardrock.” He described the energetic convergence as an annual homecoming for the mountain runners, their pace runners, their support crews, the aid station volunteers and the medical crews. “Dale (Garland) and the board of directors put so much effort into continuing the specialness of the Hardrock,” said Apt, who will be 55 for the 2017 race. “They (volunteers and support staff) are Hardrockers are much as anyone who kisses the rock.” Apt, who lives in Fruita, has several top 10 Hardrock

finishes as well as one victory in the epic 100-mile trail run. His times, like the overall times, have fallen dramatically over the years. Still, the average finishing time for the Hardrock field is 41 hours, 10 minutes and 15 seconds. That’s longer than the cutoff time for most 100-mile races. Those runners who finish just under the 48-hour cutoff will see the sun set twice during the course of the race. Those are the people who are the heart of the Hardrock, Garland said. One of his favorite Hardrock traditions, he said, is that the early finishers always gather at the finish line to cheer in the final runners, who are closing in on the 48-hour mark. “We had a finisher last year right at 47:59:59,” Garland said. “A big crowd had gathered. Most of the runners were there. The place went crazy.” The intrepid Hardrocker finished in 48 hours — barely. “It was one of the most dramatic things I’ve ever seen in terms of sports,” Garland said. But that Hardrock moment and the Hardrock itself

would not be possible with the tireless volunteers who take such pride in the event, he said. “The Hardrock is as special to the volunteers as it is to the runners,” Garland said, citing a multitude of volunteer efforts at the aid stations as well as the logistical support and medical services required — for more than 48 consecutive hours. “I’m still blown away by the level of interest from the volunteers. It really is a tribute to them … to have that level of commitment, year after year,” Garland said. Telluride annually hosts one of the larger aid stations in Town Park. This year, the Hardrock runners enter Telluride via the Cornet Creek drainage. After the aid station at the park, they will head out of Telluride via Bear Creek as they head to Silverton for the final leg of the 2017 Hardrock 100. There, at the Silverton finish, the runners, their support crews, the volunteers and assorted family and friends will gather by a big rock. “It’s all … the culture of the Hardrock,” Garland said. “It’s not just a run; it’s a cultural event.”

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ALL ABOARD! Durango & Silverton Railroad keeps on rollinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Opposite and above: The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad travels through the San Juan National Forest over 42 miles between Durango and Silverton. Special events, trips and excursions are available throughout the year. (Photo courtesy of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad)

By JUSTIN CRIADO

ohnny Cash heard the train a comin’, but never had the chance to jump on board as it continued on down to San Antone. He crooned from inside his (mythical) Folsom Prison cell about the joy it would bring him to be a passenger on such a steam-powered stallion, dreaming of freedom and the chance to travel. Unlike the Man in Black, modern-day renegades (who aren’t in jail, of course) yearning for a railroad ride need not look any farther than the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad’s main depot at 479 Main Ave., Durango. Completed in 1882 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway Co., the train originally traveled the 45.2 miles between towns, transporting gold and silver out of the San Juan Mountains. While such riches may have dried up over the years, the views from the train are still priceless, according to Christian Robbins, railroad spokesman.

Traversing through the Weminuche Wilderness via train is one thing, but being able to hike and backpack in it is another experience altogether, Robbins said. “There’s a couple stops in the wilderness where you can get off,” he said. “You just need to schedule that with the conductor and he’ll drop you off.” There are several flag stops between Durango and Silverton, including Needleton and Elk Park. If a round-trip ticket isn’t purchased in advance, flag stop prices vary, according to the official website. There is a $10 backpack fee if the passenger doesn’t already have a season pass. Short stops, when the train drops passengers off in the wilderness between Durango and Silverton and picks them up a couple hours later on the way back through, also are an option. The Chicago Basin area of the San Juan National Forest, which can be accessed at Needleton, is home to three of Colorado’s 14ers. “This is a pretty unique way to experience the wilderness and just jump off a train and go hiking,” Robbins said. The wilderness access has always been an option,

he added, but it wasn’t as well known. “It really has always been an option,” he said. “I’ve always kind of known about it (growing up in Delta), but most people didn’t know about it.” The wilderness option, along with several other train special events, have brought in more people over the years, according to the latest ridership statistics. Last year, the train welcomed over 195,000 passengers throughout the year, including 33,000 during December’s Polar Express offerings. “Seventy-five percent of those people are from out of town,” he said of the Polar Express’ ridership. “We pull people from four or five states for that event.” He added there are 50 different Polar Expresses around the country. Recent ridership numbers indicate a 10 percent increase, according to Robbins. “We’ve been growing over the last couple years,” he said. The train operates year-round, offering special >>> adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

Above: Four 14ers and abundant hikes can be accessed from the Chicago Basin, a drop-off point for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. (Photo by Zachry D Smith) Below: The newly crated T-REX Express, a family friendly excursion on the Durango & Silberton train route, is set for June 17-18 and June 24-25. (Photo courtesy of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad)

events like the Blues Train, Pumpkin Patch Express and Mother’s Day train, among others. “(The Blues Train) is going gangbusters, really,” event organizer Steve Gumble said. “It’s just such a fun experience.” For more than seven years, the Blues Train has invited 12 total acts performing over two weekends during the summer. The first iteration was held June 2-3 (prior to the distribution of this Adventure Guide), but the second serving is scheduled for Aug. 18-19. Tickets for both Saturday shows are sold out. Gumble added that typically, all the people with tickets for the 280-person event end up going. Denver’s Kerry Pastine and the Crime Scene will be making their Blues Train debut during the August dates. A rockabilly band with a penchant for good times, Pastine & Co. believe rocking out on a runaway (not really) train couldn’t be more fitting. “It’s rickety and it’s loud and it’s real clanky and it’s tricky,” Pastine said of the train. “That’s perfect because we’re kind

of light on our feet anyway.” Pastine added she was happy to get the gig because the band’s stand-up drummer, Mad Dog, is a train buff. “You’ve never met such a train freak in your life,” she said. “I had to get this for Mad Dog. Mad Dog always kind of looks like he can be a whiskey slinger, gun slinger or train engineer. He looks like it and he acts like it.” Robbins said he loves what the Blues Train has been able to create over the years. “We couldn’t be more happy with what (Gumble) does,” he said. “It puts our train in front of somebody that would never be interested. We love those events.” Much like the Blues Train attracts adults, the newly created T-REX Express on June 17-18 and June 24-25 aims to create a family-friendly, kid-centric excursion in partnership with the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science in Albuquerque. “It’s a way we introduce a younger generation to trains,” Robbins said. “That’s kind of our mission: to keep the experience of trains going.”

IF YOU GO: Where: 479 Main Ave., Durango (main depot) When: Year-round (schedule varies depending on season) Ticket price: Standard class, $89 adult; $55 children (ages 4-11) Information: www.durangotrain.com

109 Polecat Lane Exciting addition to the Mountain Village market with this mountain modern masterpiece designed by Centre Sky Architects. Excellent usage of the 0.75 acre lot takes advantage of view corridors to the San Sophias while maximizing solar gain. The residence consists of 3 major living space ‘’anchors’’ connected via bridges to create interest and reduce scale - a wonderful home for entertaining or simply relaxing with family. 5 bedrooms and 8,000+/- sq. ft. of livable space consisting of great room, gourmet kitchen, sun room, den/office, rec room, fitness room, ski utility wing and 3-car garage. Ski access is a short, easy walk. $8,700,000

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CAMPING

IS LOVE

Easygoing times in the great outdoors

Opposite: A campfire and a mountain view, as in this scene from the Lizard Head Wilderness Area, are the basic foundations for any successful camping excursions in the San Juan Mountains (Photo by Maureen Pelisson). Above: Trout Lake, south of Mountain Village, is a popular day-use area with hiking, fishing and kayaking opportunities. Nearby camping areas include Priest Lake, Sunshine and Matterhorn. (Photo by Andre Salvail)

By ANDRE SALVAIL

“W

hat will we need from the grocery?” asked Annie, a thirtysomething friend from Texas, during a visit late last summer. “We’re going camping today, right? It’s already 10 o’clock.” “Uh, yeah, camping,” I replied in a half-grumble. “We’re gonna do it. I just need 20 more minutes of sleep. It won’t take us long to get there.” It had been several months since I had seen Annie, an old flame from my school-teaching years in New Orleans, and here she was in my tiny hotel-room apartment in Telluride on a beautiful bluebird morning, looking as cute and lively as ever. It seemed like old times, with me wanting to sleep the morning away as she poked and prodded and pulled the blankets off my curled-up body. “Did you know that you still snore? I mean, c’mon, I hardly got any sleep.” (This was Annie talking, not me.) We had a long history. And, on the morning of this

less-than-serious camping expedition, we seemed to be reliving it. Her high-energy nature always had conflicted with my laid-back, Sunday-morning disposition. Still, despite our inherent differences, we liked each other enough to continue our friendship over the course of several years, and here she was at last, in Telluride, having survived a bumpy plane ride from Dallas to Montrose the night before. “What will the baby need?” I asked. A single parent, Annie had her charming toddler in tow. “Milk, cheese … apple sauce … Cheerio’s,” she replied. Babies apparently eat simply. This was going to be an easy trip, I thought to myself. Milk and cereal. Bread and sandwich meat. Potato chips and nut bars. Ice, water and juice. My tent, sleeping bags and pillows were already in the truck, nestled somewhere between the acoustic guitar case and a couple of fold-up camping chairs. All I had to do was pick up $25 worth of supplies and we’d be on our way. “Don’t forget to pick up some light beer,” Annie said as I was on my way out the door. “That’s my girl,” I said, proud that her priorities had

not changed during our time apart. I hit the market, and it hit me back (in Telluride, what ought to be $25 worth of food and drink for a onenight camping trip comes to about $48.50). I went back home, picked up Annie and the kid, and soon we were on our way Down Valley. GOOD VIBRATIONS Woods Lake is an easy drive from Telluride and the perfect spot for car campers like me who don’t relish long rides with whiny girlfriends and their crying kids. (Just kidding.) Officially, according to the State of Colorado, you drive 13 miles west from Telluride on State Highway 145 to the Sawpit area, then turn left on U.S. Forest Service Road 618 (Fall Creek Road) and go nine miles south. Once you’re on Fall Creek Road, it’s only a few minutes before the paved road turns to gravel, which slows things down a bit. But it’s a pleasant drive, with wildflowers and sunshine all around, the good vibes accentuated by the sounds of The Band and Neil Young and Bob Marley and all kinds of classic tunes coming from my high-quality Chevy >>> adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

Left: The scenery around the Woods Lake Campground area, south of Sawpit off Fall Creek Road, puts a smile on the face of this Texas visitor. (Photo by Andre Salvail) Above: Fall Creek, 13 miles west of Telluride, flows fast and furiously, even in mid-September. (Photo by Andre Salvail)

S-10 CD player. We arrive at the state-run camping area, surrounded by high-country mountain peaks and hiking trails and gold-leafed Aspen trees shimmering in the bright sun. Woods Lake, though tiny, is gorgeous. On this day, no one is here, not even a campground host. It’s just me, my girl and her bright and healthy little boy. Life is good, at least in this place, at this moment in time. We set up camp then proceed to the snacks. “Junior” enjoys playing in the dirt, picking up little pebbles and sticks and throwing them. Annie is content to sip a beer, free at last (if only for a day) from the noise and traffic and BS that is her life in a major metropolitan city. After a short hike — I didn’t have the right shoes — and a failed attempt at fishing, we return to our campsite and blanket on the grass, the warmth of the sun tempered by a cool, stiff wind. “You know I still love you,” she says, the beer starting to take hold. “I know you do, baby. I love you too. Always have.”

I pull out the guitar and we start a little singalong. Annie’s got a nice voice, much better than my twangy warble. From the Jimmie Davis classic “You Are My Sunshine” to George Harrison’s “If Not For You,” everything sounds fine, as long as she’s involved. Even the baby attempts to join in the fun, bending his knees and waving his arms. Though he can barely walk, his dance moves are fairly impressive. I place the guitar back in the case. The baby falls asleep. We drink more beer, eat some soggy sandwiches and talk about old times, the bad and the good. Day becomes night, and with it, a measure of intimacy. But there’s only so much you can do with a light-sleeping toddler around. As you can see, my kind of camping doesn’t involve two-hour drives, five-mile hikes, propanefueled stoves, steaks and shrimp, fine Kentucky bourbon and $200 boots. A mere 22 miles from town, companionship is the key to a heavenly time in the great outdoors.

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museums

MUSEUM OF THE MOUNTAIN WEST, MONTROSE

27501 State Highway 184, Dolores 970-882-5600 blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/ahc.html

462 Ute Ave. 970-242-0971 museumofwesternco.com/ museum-of-the-west/

ANASAZI HERITAGE CENTER, DOLORES

THE ANIMAS MUSEUM, DURANGO

3065 W. 2nd Ave. (Corner of 31st St.) 970-259-2402 animasmuseum.org

CANYON OF THE ANCIENTS NATIONAL MONUMENT, CORTEZ

Visit Anasazi Heritage Center First (27501 State Highway 184, Dolores) 970-882-5600 blm.gov/co/st/en/nm/canm.html

CORTEZ CULTURAL CENTER 25 N. Market St. 970-565-1151 cortezculturalcenter.org

CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN HERITAGE MUSEUM 331 Elk Ave. 970-349-1880 crestedbuttemuseum.com

CROSS ORCHARDS HISTORIC SITE, GRAND JUNCTION

3079 F Road 970-434-9814 museumofwesternco.com/crossorchards/

(Photo by Jeffrey Beall)

CROW CANYON ARCHAEOLOGICAL CENTER, CORTEZ 23390 Road K 970-565-8975 crowcanyon.org

DELTA COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM, DELTA

251 Meeker St. 970-874-8721 www.swcoloradoheritage.com/ heritage-attractions/delta-countymuseum

DINOSAUR JOURNEY MUSEUM, FRUITA

550 Jurassic Court 970-858-7282 https://museumofwesternco.com/ dinosaur-journey/

DURANGO AND SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD MUSEUMS, DURANGO/ SILVERTON

Durango Depot, 479 Main St./ Silverton Depot, 10th and Cement St. 970-247-2733 durangotrain.com

FORT UNCOMPAHGRE, DELTA 440 N. Palmer St. 970-847-8349 fortuncompahgre.org

68169 E. Miami Rd. and U.S. Highway 50 970-240-3400 museumofthemountainwest.org

RIO GRANDE SOUTHERN RAILROAD MUSEUM, DOLORES Railroad Ave. gallopinggoose5.com

SAN JUAN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM, SILVERTON

GATEWAY AUTO MUSEUM, GATEWAY

MUSEUM OF THE WEST, GRAND JUNCTION

HOTCHKISS-CRAWFORD HISTORICAL MUSEUM, HOTCHKISS

OLD 100 GOLD MINE, SILVERTON

SOUTHERN UTE CULTURAL CENTER & MUSEUM, IGNACIO

OURAY COUNTY RANCH HISTORICAL MUSEUM, RIDGEWAY

TELLURIDE HISTORICAL MUSEUM

43224 State Highway 141 970-931-2895 gatewayautomuseum.com

180 S. 2nd St. 970-872-3780 hchm.freehostia.com

HOVENWEEP NATIONAL MONUMENT, CORTEZ County Road G/McElmo Canyon Road 970-562-4282 ext. 10 nps.gov/hove/index.htm

MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK, CORTEZ NO. 1 NAVAJO HILL VIA U.S. Highway160 800-449-2288 visitmesaverde.com

MONTROSE BOTANIC GARDENS, MONTROSE 1800 Pavilion Drive montrosegardens.org

MONTROSE COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM 21 N. Rio Grande Ave. 970-249-2085 montrosehistory.org

721 County Road 4A 970-387-5444 minetour.com

321 Sherman St. 970-318-1190 ocrhm.org

1557 Greene Street near San Juan County Courthouse 970-387-5838 sanjuanhistoricalsociety.org

77 County Road 517 970-387-5838 southernute-nsn.gov/culturedepartment/

201 W. Gregory Ave., top of Fir St. 970-728-3344 telluridemuseum.org

OURAY COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM

UTE INDIAN MUSEUM, MONTROSE

PIONEER MUSEUM, GUNNISON

WESTERN COLORADO CENTER FOR THE ARTS, GRAND JUNCTION

420 6th Ave. 970-325-4576 ouraycountyhistoricalsociety.org

803 E. Tomichi Ave. 970-641-4530 Gunnisonpioneermuseum.com

POWERHOUSE SCIENCE CENTER, DURANGO 1333 Camino del Rio 970-259-9234 powsci.org

RIDGWAY RAILROAD MUSEUM, RIDGWAY

Junction of U.S. Highway 550 and State Highway 62 ridgwayrailroadmuseum.org

17253 Chipeta Road 970-249-3098 historycolorado.org/museums

1803 N. 7th St. 970-243-7337 gjartcenter.org

WESTERN COLORADO BOTANICAL GARDENS, GRAND JUNCTION

641 Struthers Ave. 970-245-3288 westerncoloradobotanicalgardens. org

(Photo by Bob Wick)

adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

fishing BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON

THE AMAZING RACE for Adaptive Sports Date: October 21st, 2017 Time: 2:00-4:00pm Race start: Proximity Space What is The Amazing Race for Adaptive Sports? The Amazing Race for Adaptive Sports is Montrose’s first adventure/scavenger hunt race. All funds go to students in Montrose County Schools with moderate to severe disabilities to participate in Adaptive Sports. How do I register and FAQs? Scan the QR code below with a QR code scanner to visit our website or go to our page at Eventbrite.com and type in “The Amazing Race for Adaptive Sports.” Questions? Email Adaptive.Sports@MCSD.org or call Danielle at 970.765.0544

Proud sponsor of TASP 42

adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

Access: Easy to very difficult Best Months: Year-round Restrictions: Gold Medal water regulations apply; flies and lures only Flies: Pale Morning Dun Mayfly, Green Sedge Caddis, Western Yellow Sally Stonefly, Rogue Foam It can be a tough hike to the bottom (and an even tougher hike back out), but long stretches of pristine fly fishing waters full of trophy-sized fish await the determined angler. The annual stonefly hatch in early June, an event not to be missed, brings the hogs to the surface. To access the South Rim, head east from Montrose on U.S. Highway 50 toward Gunnison. After 15 miles, turn left at the sign for Black Canyon National Park. This is the gem fishery of the region. The harder you work to get into the gorge, the better the fishing.

CIMARRON FORKS

Access: Easy Best Months: Summer only Restrictions: Catch and release; flies and lures only Flies: Caddis, Mayfly The Cimarron River, a major tributary to the Gunnison River, offers excellent fishing for rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout. Much of the Lower Cimarron is private, but the bottom three miles, starting at the confluence of the Gunnison, are open to public fishing. Both the Middle Fork and the West Fork feature good access from the road; to access much of the East Fork, you’ll need to hike a streamside (TR 228) trail. The Forks offer solitude, scenery and fun action on dry flies. Though Caddis and Mayflies work well, don’t overlook big attractor patterns in mid to late summer. Access the river via a drive up County Road 10, Owl Creek Pass, about two miles north of Ridgway. This road becomes Forest Road 858, which drops down the east side of the West Fork of the Cimarron to Silver Jack Reservoir.

UNCOMPAHGRE AT PA-CO-CHU-PUK

Access: Easy, streamside Best Months: Year-round Restrictions: Catch and release; flies and lures only Flies: Midge Nymphs, Copper Johns, Wooly Buggers Perhaps the best place to fish on the Uncompahgre River is below the dam at Ridgway State Park. The tail water fishery, Pa-co-chu-puk (Ute for Cow Creek), has been rehabilitated with boulder placements, log anchors and other features that provide excellent habitat for fish. This section of the river can be fished year-round for good-sized rainbows, browns and cutthroat (stocked and wild). The mile and a half of river holds some large trout, with summer and fall consistent with daily mayfly hatches. From Ridgway, drive north on U.S. Highway 550 for approximately 7 miles. Look for the Paco-chu-puk entrance on the west side of the road.

SOUTH FORK OF THE SAN MIGUEL/ILIUM VALLEY

Access: Easy, roadside Best Months: Spring to early fall Restrictions: Catch and release; flies and lures only Flies: Tan Caddis, Prince Nymph This classic small mountain stream is close to Telluride and provides the opportunity to catch all four of the region’s trout species: brown, brook, rainbow and cutthroat. Pack your patience, however, as willows are thick along the banks in many areas. From Telluride, drive west on State Highway 145 to the turn off to Ilium Valley to the south. Follow this road as it parallels the river. It’s a short, flat hike to the stream from pullouts along the road. Beware of private property. If you don’t know, ask.

SAN MIGUEL RIVER/VALLEY FLOOR

Access: Easy Best Months: Post-runoff to late fall Restrictions: Catch and release, flies and lures only Flies: Prince Nymph, San Juan worm, Copper John, Hare’s Ear Now that public access has been opened on Telluride’s Valley Floor, this small portion of the San Miguel River is fishable. Whether on foot or by car, there are access points on the east (River Trail), north (Shell station) and west (Society Turn/Lawson Hill) sides of the Valley Floor. Its convenient location and easy access makes it a perfect stream for anglers of all ages to get out and cast a rod. Look for shade lines and undercut banks and proceed upstream cautiously as these fish are often easily spooked.

UPPER DOLORES RIVER

Access: Easy, roadside Best Months: Midsummer to late fall Restrictions: Catch and release; flies and lures only Flies: Trude, Royal Wulff, Peacock Caddis The Dolores River flows from the high mountains above Lizard Head Pass to McPhee Reservoir. The Upper Dolores (Lizard Head Pass to the town of Dolores) is a freestone stream similar to the San Miguel, fed by a dozen cutthroat and brook trout streams descending from alpine basins. Willing fish and magnificent scenery make the Dolores a Colorado fly-fishing classic. Follow State Highway 145 south from Telluride to Lizard Head Pass. The highway follows the river, and pullouts offer easy walking access to the stream. Near the top of Lizard Head Pass, the headwaters of the Dolores can offer great small-stream fishing fun as well. Bring very light tackle to handle the small waters.

rafting ANIMAS RIVER Section: Upper Trip Length: 26 miles Season: May-July Difficulty: Class III, IV, V The Animas River is located high in the snowcapped San Juan Mountains between Silverton and Durango. Its southward course begins at Mineral Creek just outside of the historic mining town of Silverton and parallels the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The river drops, on average, 85 feet per mile as it courses through dozens of Class III and IV rapids, and numerous Class V rapids. The upper Animas River is an exceptional alpine rafting experience with outstanding whitewater, and scenery that includes abandoned cabins and spectacular views of the 13,000-foot-plus peaks. The river trip ends near the small town of Rockwood.

COLORADO RIVER Section: Cataract Canyon Trip Length: 96 miles or less Season: April-October Difficulty: Class III, IV, V Cataract Canyon, in spectacular Canyonlands National Park, offers a yin-yang combination of relaxed floating and exciting whitewater. The put-in is a few miles downstream from Moab. The first two or three days of the Cataract trip provide ample leisure time to enjoy the many cliff dwellings and petroglyphs from the ancient Anasazi Indian culture, with opportunities to hike, swim, fish and shoot photos, as well. The whitewater begins 4 miles downstream from the

confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers, deep within Canyonlands National Park. From here, 26 major Class IV and V rapids, with names like Little Niagara and Satan’s Gut, give rafters a wild ride before reaching the quiet waters of Lake Powell above Glen Canyon Dam. In the spring some Cataract rapids are larger than those in the Grand Canyon.

COLORADO RIVER Section: Ruby/Horsethief Canyon Trip Length: 25 miles Season: May-September Difficulty: Class I, II The Ruby-Horsethief section of the Colorado River, from Loma, Colo., to Westwater, Utah, is a 25-mile stretch of mostly flatwater with sections of Class I and II. This section of the Colorado runs through beautiful red rock canyons and has many day hike opportunities offering both solitude and exploration. The Black Rock section is composed of rock known as Vishnu schist, which dates back about 1.7 billion years. This same rock, which geologists refer to as “an unconformity,” is exposed in certain sections of the Grand Canyon. There is an abundance of wildlife including great blue herons, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, mule deer, and desert bighorn sheep. Look up in old cottonwoods trees and you are likely to spot nests and eagles. Spring weather can be extremely variable, with hot days followed by snow, followed by high winds, followed by cold rain. Summer days can be very hot and buggy, and there is little shade

along the river. Rainstorms are usually short but somewhat violent. Summer nights are usually comfortable. Fall is the most consistent weather with warm days, cool nights, and infrequent rain.

COLORADO RIVER Section: Westwater Trip Length: 17-40 miles Season: May-September Difficulty: Class III, IV (V in high water) Westwater is a classic short river trip, where rafters are treated to spectacular sandstone and granite canyon walls, side canyon exploration opportunities and sandy beaches. Westwater Canyon is located midway between Grand Junction and Moab. Two-day trips with overnight camping are the most common, but the Bureau of Land Management does issue permits for a 17-mile, oneday trip to a limited number of outfitters. Eleven Class III and IV+ rapids on the route include Funnel Falls, The Steps, Last Chance and Skull in the narrow Black Granite Gorge. Watch out for the Room of Doom!

GREEN RIVER Section: Desolation Canyon Trip Length: 84 miles Season: April-October Difficulty: Class I, II, III The Green River runs through northeast Utah from Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area near Vernal to Dinosaur National Monument, and on through rugged and remote landscape before joining with the Colorado River at Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah. The

(Photo courtesy of Echo Canyon River Adventures)

Desolation Canyon section is deeper than the Grand Canyon, and offers big sandy beaches, sparkling side streams, shady stands of cottonwoods and abundant wildlife. The rapids never exceed a Class III in this section and are suitable for a family trip.

GUNNISON RIVER Section: Gunnison Gorge Trip Length: 14 miles Season: April-October Difficulty: Class I, II, III, IV The Gunnison River, in the Gunnison Gorge, offers a technical and remote whitewater experience for rafters, kayakers and canoeists. The trip can vary widely, depending on time of year and flow from dam releases and winter snowpack. Expect high releases of 2,000 to 10,000 cfs in late May and early June. Summer flows, according to the Bureau of Land Management, can range from 300 cfs in low water years to 2,000-plus cfs during big water years. At flows below 800 cfs, the Gorge is highly technical and is not recommended for rafts over 12 feet in length. The geology, wildlife and remote feel of this 1-3 day river trip is one of the best in the state.

SAN MIGUEL RIVER Section: Placerville to Naturita Power Plant Trip Length: 7 and 14 miles Season: May-July Difficulty: Class II, III The San Miguel River, a major tributary of the Dolores River, starts high in the San Juan Mountains above Telluride. It flows northwest, without any major falls or rapids

until the Dolores, winding its way through red rock cliffs and alpine terrain. This trip is perfect for families and is convenient to Telluride, with a put-in just below Placerville (and another one closer to Norwood). The river carves through a spectacular canyon and the consistent flow of Class II and III rapids is entertaining and easy. The 14mile trip continues through the wilderness of Norwood Canyon. Wildlife along the San Miguel is plentiful.

UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER Section: Ridgway Town Run Trip Length: 3 miles Season: May-July Difficulty: Class II, III The Uncompahgre River flows down from the northwest San Juans, an area heavily impacted by mining, which helps give the river its greenish hue. The Unc flows through Ouray and Ridgway before joining the Gunnison River at the town of Delta. The Ridgway Town Run is a short but sweet rock-hopping adventure through some nice parklands as well as some private land. Put in at Rollins Park in downtown Ridgway. Beware that the kayak park can form dangerous keeper holes at the right water levels. Beginner kayakers will want to put in below these features most of the time. Take out on the right at the County Road 24 bridge, or paddle out to the reservoir. Other runs are available near Ouray, including Tuffys Corner (historically Class V; a recent mudslide changed the section significantly).

adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

(Photo by Maureen Pelisson)

TELLURIDE AREA MATTERHORN Well-maintained, often busy campground located between Ophir turnoff and Trout Lake (near San Bernardo). Fees required Location: 7 miles south of Telluride on State Highway 145 Facilities: 28 Sites, 3 walk-in sites, 4 RV hookup sites, water, showers, toilets Contact: U.S. Forest Service 970249-4552

CAYTON CAMPGROUND Popular, busy campground with access to fishing, and the Colorado Trail. Located on the stunning San Juan skyway with electric hookup sites available. Fees required Location: 22 miles south of Telluride on Hwy. 145, near the intersection of Hwy. 145 and Barlow Creek Rd. Facilities: 27 campsites, 3 picnic sites along river. 16 reservable sites, 11 reservable sites with electricity. 11 non reservable sites, 5 non reservable sites with electricity. Contact: U.S. Forest Service 970247-4874

PRIEST LAKE Quiet, pristine sites bordering small 44

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lake. No fees required Location: 8 miles south of Telluride on Hwy. 145; turn left at entrance to Trout Lake. Priest Lake Rd. is on the left. Facilities: Undesignated sites, vault toilet. Contact: U.S. Forest Service 970249-4552

SUNSHINE Spectacular views of the Wilson Range, easy access to Telluride and Mountain Village. Full during Telluride festival weekends and holidays. Fees required Location: 7 miles south of Telluride on Hwy. 145 Facilities: 15 sites, water, toilets Contact: 575-257-4095

ALTA LAKES These primitive sites border a high alpine lake popular for trout fishing. Stunning views; 11,000 foot elevation. No fees required Location: 13 miles southeast of Telluride on State Highway 145; turn left at Alta Lakes Road, 4x4 required from highway to campground. Facilities: 16 undesignated sites, one pit toilet. Contact: U.S. Forest Service 970874-6600

DOWNVALLEY/NORWOOD WOODS LAKE Great family campground, close to fishing at Woods Lake and many hiking trails. Fees required Location: 21 miles southwest of Telluride, up Fall Creek Road Facilities: 41 designated sites, toilets, fire rings Contact: U.S. Forest Service 970874-6600

MIRAMONTE RESERVOIR Scenic, lakeside sites on this popular, 420-acre reservoir. No fees required Location: 40 miles northwest of Telluride, 18.5 miles southeast of Norwood, up Lone Cone Road Facilities: Picnic sites, boat ramp, pit toilets, water Contact: Colorado Parks and Wildlife 970-252-6000

RIDGWAY/OURAY RIDGWAY RESERVOIR Large campground with many site options. Access to large “beach” and kids playground. Fees required Location: 5 miles north of Ridgway on U.S. Highway 550 Facilities: 268 sites, hookups,

showers, restrooms, dump station, laundry, marina Contact: Colorado Parks and Wildlife 970-626-5822

WEBER WESTRIDGE RV PARK & CAMPGROUND RV park and campground, available for long-term and overnight, located between the towns of Ouray and Ridgway. Cabin also available. Fees required Location: Between Ridgway and Ouray at 20725 U.S. Highway 550 Facilities: 11 sites, BBQ grills, full hookups, guest laundry, pullthroughs, tent sites, restrooms Contact: (970) 400-7275

KOA CAMPGROUND Camp in comfort in the heart of Ouray County in your RV, a tent or a cabin. Catch live music and Texas mesquite smoked barbeque. There’s wifi, a playground and a hot tub as well. Fees required Location: 3.5 miles north of Ouray at mile-marker 98 on U.S. Highway 550 Facilities: RV sites, tent sites, cabins, pavilion Contact: koa.com/campgrounds/ ouray/ 970-325-4736

MONTROSE SOUTH RIM, BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK Large campground with sparse vegetation and incredible views; limited hiking and fishing. Fees required Location: 6 miles east of Montrose on Hwy. 50. Follow signs to park entrance Facilities: 88 sites, fire rings, picnic tables, vault toilets, water Contact: National Park Service 970-641-2337 ext. 205

SILVER JACK RESERVOIR Large, scenic campground set below Cimarron Ridge, located adjacent to lake, offering hiking, fishing and non-motorized boating. Fees required Location: 20 miles east of Montrose on U.S. Highway 50, turn south on Cimarron Rd., approx. 22 miles to campground Facilities: 80 sites, picnic tables, fire grates, vault toilets, water. 30 ft. max vehicle size limit. Contact: U.S. Forest Service (970) 874-6600

(Photo by Connor O’Neil) IRON SPRINGS CAMPGROUND, UNCOMPAHGRE PLATEAU Small, primitive but accessible campground in mixed aspens and evergreen forest at 9,500 feet on the east edge of the Plateau. Not far from trails into Rubideau Canyon Wilderness Study Area. No fees required Location: West of Montrose 19.5 miles up State Highway 90 from the point where W. Oak Grove Rd. turns to gravel. Facilities: 8 campsites, refurbished by volunteers with the Uncompahgre Project. Toilets; no water. Contact: U.S. Forest Service (970) 874-6600

GRAND JUNCTION/FRUITA SADDLEHORN CAMPGROUND, COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT Situated on a high bluff overlooking the cities of Fruita and Redlands, with several nearby trailheads. Fees required Location: near the Saddlehorn Visitor Center, 4 miles from the west entrance of the Colorado National Monument (near Fruita);

open year-round Facilities: 80 sites, some pullthrough. Flush toilets, water, charcoal only grill. Contact: National Park Service 970-858-3617 ext. 360

NORTH FRUITA DESERT In the heart of Fruita’s world-renowned mountain biking, including the Kokopelli Trail system. No fees required Location: On 18 road approximately 12 miles north of Fruita in the heart of the single-track mountain bike trail system. Facilities: 58 sites, picnic tables, fire grates, vault toilets. Contact: BLM Grand Junction field Office 970-244-3000

BOOKCLIFF CAMPGROUND, HIGHLINE LAKE STATE PARK Connected to miles of trails, this campground boasts mature trees and grassy campsites. Fees required Location: Drive west on I-70 west from Grand Junction to the Loma exit, then north onto State Highway 139 for 6 miles to Q road. Go west on Q road for 1.2 miles, then turn north onto 11.8 Rd. for one mile for park entrance.

Facilities: 36 sites, accommodating tents or RVs. Water, fire pits, dump-station, coin operated hot showers, laundry. Contact: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (970) 858-7208

JAMES M. ROBB COLORADO RIVER STATE PARK, FRUITA SECTION Good for RVs, this campground also has a swim beach and playground, with access to fishing on the Colorado River. Walking distance to the Dinosaur Journey Museum. Fees required Location: In the city of Fruita, ½ mile south of exit 19, off of I-70 Facilities: 63 sites, including 22 full hookups, 22 electric sites, 13 tent sites, and a group camping area. Visitor Center, bookstore, laundry, charcoal grills, flush toilets. Contact: Colorado Parks and Wildlife 970-858-9188

MANCOS/MESA VERDE/ DURANGO MCPHEE RESERVOIR Located on the southern shore of the McPhee Reservoir, McPhee campground is nestled among pinyon, scrub oak and juniper; many sites have lake views. Fees

required Location: From Dolores, take State Highway 145 west 1.5 miles to McPhee Reservoir sign (State Highway 184). Turn right onto Highway 184 and go 4.2 miles to another McPhee Reservoir sign (Road 25). Turn right onto Road 25 and go 0.3 miles to campground sign (Forest Rt. 271). Turn right onto Rt. 271 and go to miles to campground symbol sign (across from waste station). Facilities: 95 sites, picnic tables, grills, flush toilets, hot showers, dump station, and some electric hookups. Contact: U.S. Department of Recreation (970) 882-7296

MANCOS STATE PARK Small campground nestled in a Ponderosa pine forest, on the shores of Jackson Gulch Reservoir. Various trails connect the two campgrounds and surround the lake. Fees required Location: From Mancos, turn north onto State Highway 184 for ¼ mile, take County Road 42 east approximately 4 miles to County Road “N”. Take “N” west ½ mile to the park entrance. Facilities: 32 sites in two campgrounds, vault toilets, water, firepits, picnic tables, dump station. Two yurts also available, $70/ night,

reservation required. Contact: Colorado State Parks (970) 533-7065

MOREFIELD CAMPGROUND, MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK Large campground located within the boundaries of Mesa Verde National Park. Fees required Location: 30 miles east of Cortez on U.S. Highway 160 Facilities: 267 sites, including 15 full hookup RV sites (reservations required). Café, gas station, RV dumping station, coin-operated laundry, complimentary showers, gift shop, grocery store, picnic tables, benches, grills, flush toilets. Contact: Mesa Verde National Park 800-449-2288

JUNCTION CREEK CAMPGROUND, SAN JUAN NATIONAL FOREST Location: Five miles northwest of Durango. From Main Ave., turn west on 25th St., go 3.5 miles to the National Forest boundary, then 1.5 miles on Forest Road 171. Campground is on the left. Fees required Facilities: 31 Campsites, 14 with electrical hookups. Picnic tables, fire pits, vault toilets, pavilion, horseshoe pits, volleyball court.

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(Photo courtesy of Colorado 145)

LAST DOLLAR ROAD: TELLURIDE TO DALLAS DIVIDE Time: Half-day Distance: 7.5 miles Difficulty: Easy; high clearance Elevation: 10,400 feet This is a beautiful drive with great views all around. Drive 3 miles west of Telluride, turn right on the airport road and drive 2 miles to the dirt road (Last Dollar Road) that forks north just before the airport. Follow this winding road through aspen stands and rolling terrain. Jeepers can turn left at Road 58P to descend down to Sawpit, west of Telluride, or continue on to State Highway 62 at Dallas Divide, where an inspiring panorama of mountain peaks awaits on the way to Ridgway, Ouray or Montrose.

ALTA LAKES: STATE HIGHWAY 145 TO ALTA AND ALTA LAKES (TELLURIDE) Time: 1-1/2 hours Distance: 5 miles Difficulty: Easy; high clearance 4WD Elevation: 11,000 feet The ghost town of Alta, established in the mining boom of the 1870s, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Surrounded by Alta Lakes, the setting is picture-perfect. Drive 6 miles south of Telluride on State Highway 145. Turn left onto Alta Lakes Road and stay on this main road for 4 miles to the town of Alta, an elevation

gain of 1,700 feet. To reach the lakes and Gold King Basin, turn right at the town and follow the signs to Alta Lakes.

YANKEE BOY BASIN: U.S. HIGHWAY 550 TO YANKEE BOY (OURAY)

Time: 2 hours Distance: 4.2 miles Difficulty: Easy to moderate; high clearance 4WD Elevation: 12,200 feet Take U.S. Highway 550 south out of Ouray for 1/4 mile to Canyon Creek Road and turn right. Continue past Camp Bird Mine, keeping right on the main road. A quarter mile from the intersection, the road makes a sharp right turn and runs along a ledge, widened by blasting. A cliff overhangs the road for a few hundred feet and only one vehicle can pass in one direction at a time through this section. Check the road ahead before starting. The road improves after the old Sneffels town site. Two miles from here turn right at a fork in the road to head into Yankee Boy (going left leads to Governor Basin). The road gets rockier and rougher, and after about 1 1/4 miles, it climbs into an open basin. Beyond the basin the road continues about 3/4 mile to Gilpin Lake. The road to Yankee Boy is in good condition, but heavily traveled during the summer.

ENGINEER PASS: OURAY TO LAKE CITY Time: Half-day Distance: 28 miles Difficulty: Moderate to

adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

difficult; high clearance 4WD Elevation: 12,805 feet From Ouray, drive south on U.S. Highway 550 for 3.7 miles. Look for the road on the left-hand side of the highway near a cascading waterfall and overlook. The road is well marked from here. It is rough right from the start, climbing along switchbacks through several mining sites to above tree line. Watch for “Oh Point,” located just past the intersection that leads to Cinnamon Pass to the right. Stay left to reach Engineer Pass. Good camping and fishing sites are abundant along the way, particularly once you pass Rose’s Cabin and the Empire Mine structure, about 14 miles into the trip. The road eventually comes out at Lake City.

IMOGENE PASS: TELLURIDE TO OURAY

Time: 2-3 hours Distance: 18 miles (7 miles from Telluride to Imogene Pass) Difficulty: Moderate to difficult; high clearance 4WD Elevation: 13,114 feet From Telluride, start at the north end of Oak Street and turn right onto Tomboy Road. The dirt road climbs up and away from Telluride, with stunning views of town and the east end of the canyon, including Bridal Veil Falls. The road passes several waterfalls and goes through a small tunnel on its way to the historic mining town of Tomboy in Savage Basin, a 2,650-foot

elevation gain. Make your way up the steep ascent over loose rock to Imogene Pass at 13,114 feet. Located here is Fort Peabody, constructed in 1904 by a local unit of the Colorado National Guard to prevent union miners from crossing during a labor strike. From the pass, it’s a steep downhill ride to Ouray, passing Yankee Boy Basin and Camp Bird. With no stops, expect this trip to take at least 2 hours. Stopping to take in the expansive views and exploration possibilities along the way will extend this trip to the better part of the day.

CLEAR LAKE (SILVERTON)

Time: Half-day Distance: 16.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate; high clearance 4WD Elevation: 11,850 feet On the way up to Clear Lake, there are outstanding views into Ice Lakes Basin (the name of the huge, spiky peak in front of you as you drive is Golden Horn). Take U.S. Highway 550 2 miles north out of Silverton and turn west, or left, onto South Mineral Road. From there, it is 3.8 miles to the Clear Lake junction. Turn right, and begin climbing steeply up the Clear Lake Road. You’re 9,750 feet high at this point; you’ll switchback your way up 4.5 miles to Clear Lake, at 11,850 feet. Clear Lake lies directly below South Lookout Peak (13,357 feet). Be sure to bring your lawn chair and leave some time to hang out by the lake or take a stroll around it. If you’re

a car camper, you’ll pass a couple of good sites to spend the night on the way up.

BLACK BEAR PASS: RED MOUNTAIN PASS IN OURAY/SILVERTON TO TELLURIDE

Time: 2-3 hours Distance: 12 miles Difficulty: Difficult – expert only; high clearance 4WD Elevation: 12,840 feet Black Bear Pass, usually open around the end of July, is a one-way jeep ride from Red Mountain Pass to Telluride. This pass is for expert drivers only. From Ouray, drive 13 miles south on U.S. Highway 550, just past the summit of Red Mountain Pass. Turn right onto the well-marked trail. The road climbs steeply with many narrow, rocky places above tree line. It eventually flattens out in a high valley with lots of mining relics, but don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. An area called “The Steps” begins right after reaching the small stream, with the town of Telluride visible in the valley below. This is the point of no return. Past here, turning around is simply not an option. The road drops steeply along extremely tight switchbacks on the breathtaking descent into the valley, passing the 125foot Ingram Falls. The road becomes easier at the two-way intersection at the top of Bridal Veil Falls, leading down to Telluride.

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hiking TELLURIDE JUD WIEBE

Distance: 2.5 miles Time: 2 hours, round trip Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet (max. elev. 9,900 feet) Difficulty: Moderate This may be the most popular Telluride locals’ hike, thanks to its easy access from town. The trail starts at the top of Aspen Street and loops back to Tomboy Road, at the top of Oak Street (or vice versa). At the north end of Aspen Street, pass the trailhead and cross the footbridge on your left (go straight to reach Cornet Falls, about 1/4 mile). Follow the main trail as it climbs steeply from town. Switchbacks eventually top out above the red-rock cliffs, offering outstanding views of the entire valley. The trail continues through aspen and spruce forests, crossing a small stream, before reaching Liberty Bell Road. Take a right here to head back to town (left heads up into Liberty Bell Basin, a strenuous ascent), following switchbacks that lead down to Tomboy Road. If you start from the north end of Oak Street, take a right on Tomboy Road, then a left at the gated barricade. Once you crest the top of Liberty Bell Road, look for the trail on the left-hand side.

HOPE LAKE

Distance: 5.4 miles round trip Time: 3 hours, round trip Elevation Gain: 1,900 feet Difficulty: Moderate If it’s a lake hike you’re after, Hope Lake is a classic. This 48

(Photo by Maureen Pelisson)

unforgettable alpine destination hike is well worth the effort required to reach the sapphire blue waters of Hope Lake, 11,670 feet above sea level. On State Highway 145, head toward Cortez and Lizard Head Pass until you get to Trout Lake. Take a left on Trout Lake Rd., following the unimproved dirt road for 2.3 miles to the trailhead on Road 626, turning left at the Y on 627 as the road begins its upward switchbacks. Start hiking at the Forest Service trail marker 410; the trail will gradually wind its way up through a large spruce forest, eventually climbing above tree line, crossing a few small streams along the way. The views of brightly colored 13,000-foot peaks are amazing. Return along the same trail, taking in views of Trout Lake below and the Wilson range in the distance.

directly below to the mesa’s many lakes, but out to the La Sals, the Elk Mountains, the nearby Bookcliffs and the San Juans. Because the walk is mostly along a ridge, it is best to begin early in the day; there’s no place to hide in an afternoon thunderstorm. June-August can be very buggy; don’t forget mosquito repellent. September is generally mosquitofree. The walk is a loop: start from either the Island Lake or the Eggleston Lake trailhead. To access the trail, take State Highway 65 off I-70 (if you are coming from Grand Junction). Island Lake is 8 miles beyond Mesa Lakes Resort. Eggleston Lake is just down the road past Island Lake. Continue on 65, and turn left on FR 121. After 2.5 miles, make another left turn.

green sign will direct you to the well-maintained road. Follow this road through the maze of ranch roads that crisscross the beautiful landscape beneath Courthouse Mountain, and continue over Owl Creek Pass. Just over the pass, take the first right turn and follow the road up the Little Cimarron drainage for 1.3 miles. The trailhead and modest sign for Courthouse Trail is in a cluster of trees on the right. (Don’t blink or you will miss it.) Park well off the road. The single-track trail is quite steep, but well worth it. It winds up through the trees and along ridgelines. Closer to the top, some rock scrambling is involved to get to the summit. Return the way you came.

R I D G W AY

ICE LAKES BASIN

GRAND JUNCTION

COURTHOUSE MOUNTAIN

GRAND MESA AND CRAG CREST TRAIL

Distance: 10 miles from Eggleston Lake, 11 miles from Island Lake Time: 6-7 hours Elevation Gain: 954 feet Difficulty: Moderate Crag Crest is located on Grand Mesa, and is a fairly easy walk through a forest to a ridge with some of the best vistas in the state. The “crest” of Crag Crest Trail becomes a knife-edge ridge for quite some time along the top (11,189 feet), with precipitous drop-offs on both sides. There are 360-degree views not only

adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

Distance: 3 miles Time: 3 hours, round trip Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet Difficulty: Moderate (short and steep) Situated north of Ridgway, Courthouse Mountain is a jagged and craggy summit in the Cimarron Range. Topping out at 12,152 feet, the trail up Courthouse is short and steep, but offers striking views of the Cimarron Valley and the tower of Chimney Rock. To get to the remote trailhead, from Ridgway go north on U.S. Highway 550 and take a right on County Road 10 (Owl Creek Pass); a large

S I LV E R T O N Distance: 7.5 miles Time: 6 hours, round trip Elevation Gain: 2,900 feet Difficulty: Moderate This hike begins just outside of Silverton and is well worth the drive. A couple miles north of town, turn left and head up County Road 7 (the South Mineral Creek Road) for 3.83 miles, with the slopes of Bear Mountain and Beattie Peak looming in your windshield and resembling Scotland’s Benn Eigh National Nature Reserve on a massive scale. The trailhead is directly across from the busy Mineral Creek Campground. The trail starts at 9,700 ft.. If you go all the way to Fuller Lake (recommended) you will

top out at 12,600 ft. Ice Lake is 2.7 miles, and Fuller Lake is 3.5 miles. The hike takes you not only to a lush alpine lake basin, but leaves you standing beneath the classic spike of Goldenhorn, one of the four major peaks that surround the basin, along with Vermillion, Fuller and U.S. Grant. A TripAdvisor reviewer rates this hike as excellent (some have referred to it as Valhalla) and offers photos as well as useful points for getting there (tinyurl. com/c3borms).

MONTROSE MESA CREEK TRAIL, CURECANTI NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

Distance: 1.5 miles, round trip Time: 1 hour Elevation gain: Minimal Difficulty: Easy to moderately strenuous This is a great, short, scenic trip into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. From Cimarron on U.S. Highway 50, turn north at the Cimarron Visitor Center with its exhibits of Rio Grande Narrow Gauge Railroad cars and a preserved trestle. Drive one mile and park overlooking the Morrow Point Dam. The trail leads below the dam to a footbridge over the river (technically Crystal Lake) to the north side. The trail follows the river downstream with spectacular views of the narrow canyon walls. A picnic area marks the turnaround, and a nice place to put your feet in the water.

climbing RIDGWAY AND OURAY ROADSIDE DISTRACTION

For families and beginners, Roadside Distraction is a great place to climb. Perched right above the first hairpin on County Road 361, Roadside has a bunch of fun routes from 5.4 to 5.11. At the first hairpin turn on the Camp Bird Road, park alongside the ATV trailers and follow the obvious steep track along the fence. When you reach a large rock with a telephone pole on top, look for an easy trail on the right side that accesses the anchors on top of the climbs. Take care accessing the bolted anchors as they are just below the lip of the crag; an extra rope to protect yourself can be quite handy. The SW-facing slab has a few different easy climbs, while climbs on the NW face are steep and difficult.

POOL WALL ALCOVE

Another great spot for moderate climbing is the Pool Wall Alcove. Directly across from the Ouray Hot Springs Pool, look for a trail that leads into a hidden alcove on the left side of the wall. Nestled in this spot there are about six high-quality routes, ranging from 5.6 to 5.9. All climbs are bolted sport climbs and accessible only by leading up. Above the main Pool Wall and to the right, there are dozens of 5.10 and above routes.

ROTARY PARK CRAG

A quick 30-second walk from the parking lot at Ouray Rotary Park, Rotary Park Crag is a great

area for easy and hard climbs. All climbs must be led to set up, and the rock quality isn’t as good as some other areas; but it’s close to the car and non-climbers can picnic and watch. There are about five good routes rated less than 5.9.

TELLURIDE AND OPHIR OPHIR WALL AND CRACKED CANYON

Those seeking traditional climbing will enjoy the old-school ambiance of the Ophir Wall and Cracked Canyon. Both are located 8 miles south of Telluride at the entrance to the Ophir Valley.

FALLS WALLS AND PIPELINE WALL

If you are a sport climber, head to the Falls Walls and Pipeline Wall at the end of the Telluride Valley. You may also want to hike to the Sesame Street area in upper Bear Creek.

ILIUM VALLEY

Five miles west of Telluride, Ilium Valley has an array of boulders of varying difficulty.

WEST END OF TELLURIDE VALLEY

There is excellent bouldering at the mine in the west end of the Telluride Valley.

ALPINE ROUTES

There are a number of alpine rock routes on the peaks surrounding Telluride. Lizard Head, the prominent volcanic plug that marks Lizard Head Pass, is the most well known.

NATURITA

ATOMIC ENERGY CRAG

Fine Dakota Sandstone and a good selection of routes, many of which are bolted. There are also a few traditional and mixed climbs. The crag sits high on Sawtooth Ridge. From the summit, there are good views of the San Juans and the La Sal Mountains in Utah. To access AEC from Telluride, take State Highway 145 west toward Norwood and continue on to Naturita. Just past Naturita, turn left on State Highway 90 and follow it about eight miles up the road to EE22 Road. Make a right onto EE22, and stay on it until you spot a prominent buttress on the hill (there are many parking spots at the base). The climbing routes are a 10- to 15-minute hike up a series of switchbacks to the cliff.

NORWOOD CLAY CREEK

Good climbing close to Telluride, in a pinon and juniper forest, with relatively easy access. The routes are 30- to 60-feet long, of sandstone. Most are bolted; many have anchors. At the bottom of the Norwood Hill, take Forest Service Road 510 (the Sanborn Park Road) 4.2 miles. Park at a prominent pullout on the left; a good trail leads to the crag. The first section of cliffs appears in 10 minutes. For much more beta on this area, the first, and arguably the best, guide is The Wild Wild West: Rock Climbing in the Wild West End of Southwestern Colorado by the late, legendary

(File photo) Charlie Fowler and his co-author, Damon Johnston. Fowler and Johnston also wrote Telluride Rocks, the only detailed guide to rock climbing near town, with particulars on the Ophir Wall, Cracked Canyon, Telluride Edge and other choice climbing sites.

MONTROSE BLACK CANYON NATIONAL PARK

The vertical walls of the Black Canyon hold dozens of traditional big-wall climbs, all of them advanced, multi-pitched climbs with difficulty ratings from 5.8 to 5.13. Some require aid. These are serious climbs. The NPS website warns: “Being benighted due to underestimating a route is not cause for a rescue at the Black Canyon.” The North and South Chasm Walls see the majority of climbing. The depth here is around 1,800 feet, and the canyon is at its narrowest, just 1,100 feet across from rim to rim. The most complete guidebook is Black Canyon Climbs by Robbie Williams. A free permit is required and can be obtained at either the South Rim Visitor Center or the North Rim Ranger Station.

GRAND JUNCTION OTTO’S ROUTE

Otto’s Route is found on the northwest face of a 450-foot high sandstone tower known as Independence Monument, located in Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction. The climb is named after John

Otto, the Colorado National Monument’s first superintendent, and the route’s first ascender, in 1911, when he created a handpounded pipe ladder all the way to the summit, where he placed an American flag. It’s a classic multi-pitch route for advanced lead-climbers, who know how to place gear, route find, and set up rappels. The route is varied on mostly solid rock, and the views of the surrounding red rock are spectacular. Rated 5.9, the climb ascends 450 feet in four pitches. Monument Canyon Trail serves as the approach trail, which begins on the south end of the west entrance parking lot. Expect crowds on weekends. Double ropes are suggested for a quick rappel, as are helmets in case of rock fall.

CASTLE VALLEY (MOAB) CASTLETON TOWER

The Wingate Sandstone Castleton tower is perhaps the most popular desert spire climb in the Canyonlands region, with its Kor-Ingalls Route considered one of the 50 Classic Climbs of North America. There are routes on its north, west and south faces, offering both free and fixed climbs rated 5.9 to 5.11. From Moab, drive 10 miles down Route 128 along the Colorado River. Turn right on Castleton Rd. and drive 4.7 miles to a dirt road parking area on the left. Follow the signs and obvious trails to the different routes.

adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

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Calendar S = SAN MIGUEL COUNTY

O = OURAY COUNTY

JUNE FRIDAY, JUNE 9 O Musical Theater: “Treasure Island” – Wright Opera House, 7 p.m.

FRIDAYS, JUNE 9-SEPT. 29 S Live Music: Speakeasy Swing Night with Donavan Daily Jazz Trio – Phoenix Bean, 6 p.m.

FRIDAYS, JUNE 9-OCT. 27 O True Grit Walking Tour – Meet at the

Ridgway Visitors Center (150 Racecourse Road, just west of the intersection of Hwy 550 and Hwy 62), 10:45 a.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 9-SATURDAY, JUNE 10 S Wild West Fest – The 25th annual event, including a Wild West Roundup on Saturday. Sheridanoperahouse.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 9-SUNDAY, JUNE 11 S Telluride WOW Festival – Health, fitness and wellness event. Telluride.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 10 O Ridgway Area Trails (RAT) Festival and RAT Race – Ridgway town park

M Freedom Festival Barn Dance & BBQ –

An evening of dancing and BBQ to benefit Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans at Alpine Ridge. Whafv.org O Summer Program at Ridgway State Park – Visitors Center, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 10-SUNDAY, JUNE 19 R Ride the Rockies – The venerable mountain bike ride tours the San Juans this year, making overnight stops in Ridgway/Ouray and Montrose (June 14-16). Ridetherockies.com

SATURDAYS, JUNE 10-OCT. 28 M Montrose Farmers Market – Weekly in

downtown Montrose, at East Main Street and South Uncompahgre Avenue; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Montrosefarmersmarket.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 11 O Michael McCullough’s 5th Annual Am-

ateur Sculptuing Contest for Adults and Youth – Ridgway Community Center; reservations accepted from noon-1 p.m.; contest runs from 1-3 p.m. Awards ceremony: 4 p.m. Weehawkenarts.org

M = MONTROSE COUNTY

R = REGION

TUESDAY, JUNE 13 O Evening of History: “The Lewis Mill

and Mine Above Telluride” – Wright Opera House, 7:30 p.m.

Performance – Sherbino Theater, 11 a.m.noon. Sherbino.org O Rodeo Royalty Gymkhana Series – Ouray County Fairgrounds

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14 M Annual Flag Day Celebration – Down-

TUESDAY, JUNE 20 O Evening of History: “History of the

town Montrose O Wednesday Movie at the Wright – Wright Opera House, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY, JUNE 14-OCT. 29 R Astronomy Program at Black Canyon

Smith and Last Dollar Ranches” – Wright Opera House, 7:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21 O Ouray County Geology Tour – Ouray

County Historical Museum, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

O Wednesday Movie at the Wright – Wright Opera House, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 24-MONDAY, JUNE 26 O The Painterly Collage – Immersion into the art of abstract, mixed-media painting; 10 a.m-3 p.m. daily. Ahhaa.org

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26 O Ouray County Players Annual Melodrama – Wright Opera House, 7 p.m. Thewrightoperahouse.org

TUESDAY, JUNE 27 S Historical Pub Crawl – The Telluride

WEDNESDAYS, JUNE 21-AUG. 16 S Sunset Concert Series – Live music in Sunset Plaza, Mountain Village; 6 p.m. Tmvoa.org

Historical Museum sponsors an outing to three of the town’s most iconic bars; meet at Roma Bar and Grill, 5 p.m. Telluridemuseum.org O Evening of History: The Miners Hospital/Ouray Historical Musem: 130 Years of History – Wright Opera House, 7:30 p.m.

– Downtown entertainment and food on offer for bike riders and visitors. O Mountain Air Music Series: The Roosevelts with Woodshed Red – Fellin Park, Ouray, 6-9 p.m. S Live Music: Trico – New Sheridan Historic Bar, 8 p.m. O After Show with Woodshed Red – O’Brien’s Pub, 9 p.m.

THURSDAY, JUNE 22 O Mountain Air Music Series: Afrolicious

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28 O Wednesday Movie at the Wright –

THURSDAYS, JUNE 15-AUG. 31 S Historic Walking Tour – Join longtime

THURSDAY, JUNE 22-SUNDAY, JUNE 25 S Telluride Wine Festival – Fine wine

National Park – Meet at the Black Canyon Visitors Center for a brief introduction, and then it’s out to view the skies with regional astronomers, who gladly share their telescopes. Dress warmly.

THURSDAY, JUNE 15 M Montrose Welcomes Ride the Rockies

local Ashley Boling for an entertaining, informative and (most important) historically accruate stroll through town at this Telluride Historical Museum-sponsored event; meet at the museum at 1 p.m.

THURSDAY, JUNE 15-SUNDAY, JUNE 18 S Telluride Bluegrass Festival – The annual event, in Telluride Town Park. Telluride.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 16 O Shel Silverstein Theater Celebration

Performance – Sherbino Theater, 11 a.m.noon. Sherbino.org S Live Music: Speakeasy Swing Night with Donavan Daily Jazz Trio – Phoenix Bean, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 17 O Ouray Elks Flag Day Ceremony – Ouray Elks Club O Western Mining Artifact Collectors Antique Show – Ouray Community Center, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. O Shel Silverstein Theater Celebration

with Tight Thump – Fellin Park, 6-9 p.m.

O Sherb Talk: “True Grit and Heart” – Sherbino Theater, 7 p.m.

S Live Music: Tom Nading and Claybrook Penn – New Sheridan Historic Bar, 8 p.m.

O After Show with Tight Thump – O’Brien’s Pub, 9 p.m.

tastings, cheese, cuisine. Telluridewinefestival.com.

FRIDAY, JUNE 23 S Live Music: Speakeasy Swing Night

with Donavan Daily Jazz Trio – Phoenix Bean, 6 p.m. O Music and Hope: The Life of Alize Herz-Sommer – Sherbino Theater, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 24 O 10th Annual Ridgway RiverFest – All-

day boat races and celebration along the Uncompagre River in downtown Ridgway. S Hike Into History: The Valley Floor – The first of three Hike into History forays that the Telluride Historical Museum will sponsor this season, and the easiest; meet at the museum, 9 a.m. Telluridemuseum. org O Ouray County Rodeo Association’s Jimbo Dance – 4-H Event Center, 5:30-9 p.m. O Classic Cinema Double Feature – Wright Opera House, 7 p.m. O Night Hike, Night Sounds – Ridgway State Park Visitors Center, 8:30-10 p.m.

Wright Opera House, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28-TUESDAY, JULY 4 S 14th Annual Telluride Plein Air Festi-

val – Spot plein-air painters at their easels around town. Telluridearts.org; sheridanoperahouse.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 29 O Mountain Air Music Series: The Grisly

Hand and We Dream Dawn – Fellin Park, 6-9 p.m. O Blue Sage Chamber Trio: The Lyrical Clarinet – Wright Opera House, 7:30 p.m. Ocpag.org S Live Music: Trico – New Sheridan Historic Bar, 8 p.m. O After Show with We Dream Dawn – O’Brien’s Pub, 9 p.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 30 S Live Music: Speakeasy Swing Night

with Donavan Daily Jazz Trio – Phoenix Bean, 6 p.m. O Sherb Talk: “Steam Returns to Ridgway” – Sherbino Theater, 7 p.m.

JULY SATURDAY, JULY 1 O Architectural Tour of Five Ouray Buildings – Meet at the Ouray County Historical Museum; 1-5 p.m. O Ridgway State Park Summer Program: Glade Hadden, BLM Archaeologist –

>>> adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

(Photo courtesy of Telski) Ridgway State Park Visitors Center, 7-9 p.m. O Live Music: Dirty Dozen Jazz Band – Sheridan Opera House O Taj Weekes and Adowa Concert – Wright Opera House, 7 p.m. M Live Music: Bittersweet Highway, “It All Falls Away” Release Show – HRMS, downtown Montrose

SUNDAY, JULY 2 O “Poetry of Motion,” Peter Davison

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5 O Wednesday Night Movie at the Wright – Wright Opera House, 7 p.m.

M Live Music: Jackson Emmer at the Gal-

Vaudeville Family Show – Wright Opera House, 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Thewrightoperahouse.org

lery – HRMS, downtown Montrose

MONDAY, JULY 3 O Ouray Volunteer Fire Department Con-

cert in the Park with Bad Friend – Fellin Park, 5-11 p.m. O Ouray County Players Annual Melodrama – Wright Opera House, 7-9 p.m.

Telluride; 5-8:30 p.m. O Ridgway Concert Series: Battle of Santiago with Stray Birds – Ridgway town park, 6:30 p.m. S Live Music: Tom Nading and Claybrook Penn – New Sheridan Historic Bar, 8 p.m.

TUESDAY, JULY 4 O Annual Ourayace 10K – Ouray City Hall,

FRIDAY, JULY 7 O Guided Tour of Ouray Historical Muse-

S 7th Annual Rundola – 1,800-foot climb

M Montrose Summer Music Series: Dave’s

8 a.m.

up Telluride trail, from the base of the mountain to the gondola; 8 a.m. O Old-Fashioned Fourth of July in Ouray – Various activities around town, including a Main Street Parade, Elks BBQ, kids games in Fellin Park, brownies and lemonade at the Ouray Historical Museum and ending with fireworks over the park. Don’t miss the waterfights on Main Street (2 p.m.). S Fourth of July Celebration – Footraces, parades, BBQs, and fireworks visible from all over, in downtown Telluride. Free admission to the Telluride Historical Museum, and 52

root beer floats (suggested donation for beverage: $5) following the morning’s parade. M Fourth of July in Montrose – Small town charm on full-throttle, featuring a downtown parade and ending with fireworks; Montrose.com.

adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

THURSDAY, JULY 6 S First Thursday ArtWalk – Downtown

um – Historian Don Paulson leads; 9 a.m.

Fault and Coco Montoya – Black Canyon Golf Course, 6 p.m. S Live Music: Speakeasy Swing Night with Donavan Daily Jazz Trio – Phoenix Bean, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, JULY 7-SUNDAY, JULY 9 R Colorado Lavender Festival – Quirky,

comprehensive, highly scented; Community Park, Palisade. Colorado.com

SATURDAY, JULY 8

O Guided Tour of Ouray’s Historic Main

Street – Meet at the Ouray Historical Museum; 3-5 p.m. O The River Arkansas Concert – Wright Opera House, 7 p.m. M Michael Gulezian: An Evening of Solo Acoustic Guitar – Healthy Rhythm Art Gallery, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, JULY 8-SUNDAY, JULY 9 S Ride Festival – Live music in Town Park. This year’s headliners: Beck, Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals. Ridefestival.com

SUNDAY, JULY 9 O Miniature Diorama Boxes – Weehawkenarts.org for more info

MONDAY, JULY 10 O Ouray County Players Annual Melodrama – Wright Opera House, 7-9 p.m.

TUESDAY, JULY 11 O Evening of History: “Juan River’s Colorado, 1765” – Wright Opera House, 7:30-9 p.m.

TUESDAY, JULY 11-SUNDAY, JULY 16 S Telluride Art + Architecture Weekend – Explore the arts, architecture, fine food and more in Telluride’s historic district. Telluride.com

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12 O Youth Canyon Adventure Day – For ages 12-18; meet at 8:30 a.m. Call 970-318-0989

for more info

O Wednesday Night Movie at the Wright – Wright Opera House, 7 p.m.

M Humbird-Music by Siri Undlin – Healthy

Rhythm Art Gallery, 7:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12-SATURDAY, JULY 15 M Down By the River Plein Air Festival –

Celebration of open-air painting by the Ute Museum; 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, JULY 13 O Ridgway Concert Series: Lukas Nelson

& Promise of the Real with Scruffy Pearls – Ridgway town park, 6:30 p.m. S Live Music: Trico – New Sheridan Historic Bar, 8 p.m.

FRIDAY, JULY 14 S Live Music: Speakeasy Swing Night with

Donavan Daily Jazz Trio – Phoenix Bean, 6 p.m. S Ah Haa Art Auction – One of the highlights of the summer season; Ah Haa’s annual fundraiser allows attendees to bid on a wide range of work by artists in and outside of Telluride, all in support of the art school. Ahhaa.org S Live Music: An Evening with Trevor Hall – Sheridan Opera House

FRIDAY, JULY 14-SATURDAY, JULY 15 R Hard Rock 100 Endurance Race – A

gruelling 100.5-mile marathon across the San Juans (Lake City-Silverton-Ouray-Telluride). Telluride.com >>>

(Photo courtesy of Telluride Yoga Festival and Joanie Schwarz Portraiture)

O Public Theater Performance: “The

Gleekers!” – Sherbino Theater; Fri., 6-8 p.m., Sat., 2-4 p.m. Sherbino.org

FRIDAY, JULY 14-SUNDAY, JULY 16 O Modernizing the Landscape – Acrylic painting class; Weehawkenarts.org

SATURDAY, JULY 15 S Hike into History: Blue Lake – Join a

local historian for an outing to this scenic spot; participants should be in good physical condition and bring sunscreen, snacks, a hat and raingear. Telluridemuseum.org O Rodeo Royalty Gymkhana Series – Ouray County Fairgrounds O Guided Hike: Corkscrew Turntable – Meet at the Ouray County Historical Museum; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. M The Voice of the San Juans: Blind Audition – Magic Circle Theater, 5:30-8 p.m.

SATURDAY, JULY 15-SUNDAY, JULY 16 S Art + Architecture Weekend – Telluride

Arts’ ultimate home tour, including wine and food pairings from top chefs and the work of fine designers, artists and architects at each site. Tellurideartandarchitecture.com

JULY 23 S San Miguel Basin County Fair and Ro-

deo – The annual event, in Norwood. Sanmiguelcounty.org

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19-SATURDAY, JULY 22 S Telluride Americana Music Fest –

annual event. Visitmontrose.com

SATURDAY, JULY 22 M Fun on the Uncompahgre (FUNC)

with Carrie Rodriguez – Ridgway town park, 6:30 p.m. S Live Music: Porch Couch – New Sheridan Historic Bar, 8 p.m.

Fest – All-day event at River Bottom Park. Visitmontrose.com S Telluride 100 Mountain Bike Race –Exactly what it sounds like: A 100-mile race that starts and finishes in Telluride. Telluride.com O Guided Tour of Cedar Hill Cemetery – Cedar Hill Cemetery, 9-11 a.m. O 2nd Annual Historic Ranch Tour of Cow Creek and BBQ at the New Ranch Museum Locale – Ouray County Ranch History Museum, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, JULY 20-SUNDAY, JULY 23 S Telluride Yoga Festival – The 10th an-

MONDAY, JULY 24-FRIDAY, JULY 28 S Young People’s Theater Spectacular

FRIDAY, JULY 21-SUNDAY, JULY 23 M Black Canyon Quilt Show – Montrose

TUESDAY, JULY 25 O Evening of History: “Structure Preser-

Among this year’s guests: Rodney Crowell. At the Sheridan Opera House; visit sheridanoperahouse.com for more information.

THURSDAY, JULY 20 O Ridgway Concert Series: Ellen Jewell

nual event, featuring Asana’s, meditation, cooking classes, and more. Tellurideyogafestival.com

the Shrew”: Telluride Town Park, on the Town Park stage; visit telluridetheatre.org for info

Pavilion, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Visitmontrose. com S Advanced Skills for Beginning Birders – Learn to improve your identification skills and understand avian language and behavior; at this weekend workshop at Earthstar Retreat Center, Norwood. Earthstarretreatcenter.com

SATURDAY, JULY 15-SUNDAY,

FRIDAY, JULY 21-SUNDAY,

SATURDAY, JULY 15-SATURDAY, JULY 22 S Shakespeare in the Park: “Taming of

JULY 30 M Montrose County Fair & Rodeo – The

– Theater camp for kids from ages 8-12 at the Sheridan Opera House, culminating in a free, public performance on Friday. Sheridanoperahouse.com

vation in the San Juans” – Wright Opera House, 7:30-9 p.m.

TUESDAY, JULY 25-SATURDAY, JULY 29 R Mesa County Fair – In Grand Junction. Mesacountyfair.com

THURSDAY, JULY 27 O Ridgway Concert Series: Josh Hoyer &

Soul Colossal with Major & the Monbacks – Ridgway town park, 6:30 p.m. S Live Music: The Local’s Group – New Sheridan Historic Bar, 8 p.m.

THURSDAY, JULY 27-SUNDAY, JULY 30 R Deltarado Days – Celebration of com-

munity and small-town living, in downtown Delta. O No Holds Barred Shakespeare Festival: “The Tempest” – Wright Opera House, Thu.Sat., 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Sun., 4-6 p.m.

THURSDAY, JULY 27-SATURDAY, AUG. 5 O Artists’ Alpine Holiday – The 57th annu-

al juried art exhibit at the Ouray Community Center; visit ourayarts.org for more info

FRIDAY, JULY 28 S “The Tale of Aladdin” – Free perfor-

mance from Summer Spectacular campers; Sheridan Opera House S Live Music: Speakeasy Swing Night with Donavan Daily Jazz Trio – Phoenix Bean, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JULY 29 M Live Music: David Starr, “The Heart

and Head Tour” – Healthy Rhythm Art Gallery, 7:30 p.m.

AUGUST TUESDAY, AUG. 1 O Evening of History: “Picks, Shovels and

Pioneers: Roads that Changed the San Juan >>> adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

(Photo courtesy of Sheridan Opera House) Mountains” – Wright Opera House, 7:30-9 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 2 O Youth Canyon Adventure Day – 8:30 a.m.; call 970-318-0989 for more info

S KOTO Duck Race – Rubber ducks “com-

pete” to benefit the radio station; 2:45-3:45 p.m. Telluride.com O Wednesday Night Movie at the Wright – Wright Opera House, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, AUG. 3 S First Thursday ArtWalk – Downtown

Telluride; 5-8:30 p.m. S Live Music: The Cottonwood Trio – New Sheridan Historic Bar, 8 p.m.

FRIDAY, AUG. 4 S Live Music: Speakeasy Swing Night with

Donavan Daily Jazz Trio – Phoenix Bean, 6 p.m. M Montrose Summer Music Series: Cyrus James, featuring Glenn Patterson – Sunny Sweeney opens; Black Canyon Golf Course, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, AUG. 4-SATURDAY, AUG. 5 O dZi Foundation Presents: Mountainfilm

On Tour – Two nights of screenings from the festival, in Ridgway Town Park; 8:30-10:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, AUG. 4-SUNDAY, 54

adventureGUIDE | SUMMER2017

AUG. 6 S Mudd Butts Mystery Theater – The 31st annual summer presentation, which this year will be “Robin Hood.” Palm Theatre; 6 p.m. Tellurideacademy.org S Telluride Jazz Festival – Some of the best-known musical artists in the world, both veterans and newcomers, perform at this venerable event. Telluridejazz.org

SATURDAY, AUG. 5 M Olathe Sweet Corn Festival – The annu-

al event; Olathe Community Park, 10 a.m.9 p.m.

SATURDAY, AUG. 5-SATURDAY, AUG. 12 R Delta County Fair and Rodeo – Theme for 2017: “Country Roots, Dirty Boots”; in Hotchkiss. Deltacountyfair.com

TUESDAY, AUG. 8 O Evening of History: “The Life of 19th

Century Prostitutes in the San Juans” – Wright Opera House, 7:30-9 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9 O Wednesday Night Movie at the Wright – Wright Opera House, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9-SUNDAY, AUG. 12 O 8th Annual Ouray Canyoning Festival – More info at www.ric2015.com

THURSDAY, AUG. 10-SUNDAY, AUG. 20 S Telluride Chamber Music Festival – Over 40 years’ worth of music from esteemed visiting musicians. Telluride.com

FRIDAY, AUG. 11 S Live Music: Speakeasy Swing Night with Donavan Daily Jazz Trio – Phoenix Bean, 6 p.m. S Taste of Telluride and Top Chef Competition – A culinary-and-libation tour to benefit the One to One mentoring program. Telluride.com

SATURDAY, AUG. 12 O Rodeo Royalty Gymkhana Series –

Ouray County Fairgrounds O Guided Cemetery Walking Tour – Cedar Hill Cemetery, 9 a.m.

FRIDAY, AUG. 12-SATURDAY, AUG. 13 O 33rd Annual Ridgway Rendezvous Arts

and Crafts Festival – In Ridgway town park. Sat., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

THURSDAY, AUG. 17 O Classical Café: San Juan Chamber Mu-

sicFest – Ouray County 4-H Event Center, 7:30-9 p.m. Ocpag.org S Live Music: Trico – New Sheridan Historic Bar, 8 p.m.

THURSDAY, AUG. 17-SUNDAY, AUG. 20

S Telluride Mushroom Festival – “A

celebration of all things fungal and ethneogenic,” and including guest authors and lectures, tastings, a parade and more. telluride.com

FRIDAY, AUG. 18 S Live Music: Speakeasy Swing Night with Donavan Daily Jazz Trio – Phoenix Bean, 6 p.m. O Free Family Movie Night: “Queen of Kawate” – Sherbino Theater, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, AUG. 19 S Hike into History: Marshall Creek Trail – Join a local historian for a guided tour up the trail; participants should be in good physical condition and bring sunscreen, snacks, a hat and raingear. Telluridemuseum.org O Guided Hike: Corkscrew Turntable – Meet at Ouray County Museum; 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

TUESDAY, AUG. 22 O Festival Concert: San Juan Chamber

MusicFest – Wright Opera House, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Ocpag.org

MONDAY, AUG. 21 O Free Family Concert: San Juan Chamber MusicFest – Sherbino Theater, 10:3011:30 a.m. ocpag.org

>>>

THURSDAY, AUG. 24 S Feasting On History – Annual fundraiser at the Sheridan Opera House, to benefit the Telluride Historical Museum. Telluridemuseum.org.

FRIDAY, AUG. 25 S Live Music: Speakeasy Swing Night with Donavan Daily Jazz Trio – Phoenix Bean, 6 p.m. S Telluride Theatre Sings – Each year the cast covers an album in its entirety at this raucous fundraiser; Palm Theatre, ages 21 and up, 7 p.m. Telluridetheatre.org

SATURDAY, AUG. 26 O Ridgway Moonwalk: Community Farm-

to-Table Potluck – Town park, Ridgway M Live Music: Robin Lore and Stuart Reever – Healthy Rhythm art gallery, 7:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, AUG. 27 S An Evening with Ken Burns – The pre-

eminent historical-documentary filmmaker screens an episode from his series, “Jazz.,” to be followed by an audience Q&A; Palm Theatre, 6-9 p.m. Telluridepalm.com

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 30-MONDAY, SEPT. 4 S Telluride Film Festival – One of the na-

tion’s most prestigious, where many Academy Award-winning works make their debut. Telluride.com

SEPTEMBER

Opera House, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Ocpag.org

FRIDAY, SEPT. 1-MONDAY, SEPT. 4 O Ouray County Fair – Ouray County

THURSDAY, SEPT. 14 S Live Music: Trico – New Sheridan Histor-

Fairgrounds M Montrose Summer Music Series: Johnson County Coroners and Kris Lager Band – Black Canyon Golf Course, 6 p.m.

MONDAY, SEPT. 4 O Annual Labor Day Rodeo Parade – Ridgway town park, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 7 S First Thursday ArtWalk – Downtown

Telluride; 5-8:30 p.m. S Live Music: Tom Nading and Claybrook Penn – New Sheridan Historic Bar, 8 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 8 O Free Family Movie Night: “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” – Sherbino Theater, 6:30-9 p.m.

FRIDAYS, SEPT. 8-OCT. 6 S Lone Tree Cemetery Tour – Tours depart from the Telluride Historical Museum at 1 p.m. Telluridemuseum.org

SATURDAY, SEPT. 9 O Annual Imogene Pass Run –

ic Bar, 8 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 14-SATURDAY, SEPT 16 O 30th Annual Ouray Jeep Jamboree –

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 20 O Wednesday Night Movie at the Wright – Wright Opera House, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAYS, SEPT. 20-OCT. 5 S Fireside Chats – The Telluride Histor-

Downtown Ouray

ical Museum sponsors a lecture series in Norwood and at the Madeleine Hotel; visit telluridemuseum.org for more info.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 15 S Live Music: Speakeasy Swing Night with

THURSDAY, SEPT. 21 O ROCC Talk: Citizens Preserving Habitat

Donavan Daily Jazz Trio – Phoenix Bean, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 15-SUNDAY, SEPT. 17 S Telluride Blues & Brews Festival – The

and Colorado Natural Areas Program (CNAP) – Panel discussion; Wright Opera House, 6:45-8:30 p.m. S Live Music: Tom Nading and Claybrook Penn – New Sheridan Historic Bar, 8 p.m.

24th annual event, the last of the town’s music festivals for the summer season. Tellurideblues.com

THURSDAY, SEPT. 21-SUNDAY, SEPT. 24 O Ouray County Railroad Days – Ridgway

SATURDAY, SEPT. 16 O Log Hill Hustle – A 5K/10K Fun Run/

S Telluride Festival of Cars and Colors

SATURDAY, SEPT. 16-SUNDAY, SEPT. 17 M Tribute to Aviation – Montrose Regional

FRIDAY, SEPT. 22 S Live Music: Speakeasy Swing Night with

Walk; Log Hill Volunteer Fire Department, 8-11 a.m.

Airport, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. both days.

Railroad Museum

– The annual event, a display of vintage machines, top-flight restorations and a car show on main street. Carsandcolors.com

Donavan Daily Jazz Trio – Phoenix Bean, 6 p.m.

Ouray-to-Telluride, the hard way; Ouray Main Street, 7 a.m. O Apollo Chamber Brass Quartet – Wright

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