Bruce and Ethan's
Most Excellent
Colorado Adventure!
Page Two: Silverton to Ouray
Page One: Taos to Durango to Silverton * Page Three: Jeeping Out of Ouray
Page Four: Salida * Page Five: Aspen
Page Six: Hot Sulphur Springs and Estes Park
OURAY
Elevation: 7,792 feet
Population: 1,000
This has to be one of the most magical towns in the universe! They have a good reason for calling it Little Switzerland. It is at the end of a long canyon through the mountains on the million dollar highway 550 and on either side of the town are towering mountain cliffs that are nearly vertical and filled with spectacular colors, shades and designs. Who makes this stuff up!
Ouray (pronounced You'-ray) was named after Chief Ouray of the Ute Native American tribe. The Utes at one time owned all this land but when gold and silver were discovered they were forced to abandon their ownership.
The pictures that follow were taken on the drive from Silverton to Ouray.
This is a natural alpine lake which is at a high altitude near the pass
The mountains below are called the Iron Mountains because of the reddish coloration above the tree line. The reddish color is caused by a high degree of iron as you might guess. Tomorrow, we will rent a jeep and be on the other side of these mountains where the faint of heart cannot traverse.
In the picture below, we are starting to drop down into Ouray and this view is what is behind us. You can see the road about half way up the mountain side on the left.
A view of Ouray as we start to drop down out of the mountains. We are traveling north still on Highway 550. You can see main street below which is still 550.
The following picture is courtesy of Drink Tea & Travel | Award-Winning Sustainable Travel Blog -
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This is our campsite looking east
Campsite looking west - we are backed up right to the mountain cliff. So beautiful!
Go to
Page One: Taos to Durango to Silverton
Page Three: Jeeping Out of Ouray
Page Six: Hot Sulphur Springs and Estes Park