Posted by Joe Rogers on September 9, 2009 at 10:53 PM
For my fall trip I am trying to consentrate on the Ridgeway area of Colorado since weather aced me there last year. In trying for good sunrise,sunset images are roads 7 and 9 (I think that is their designation) right out of Ridgeway better for sunrise or sunset? How about the best time of day for Lost Dollar Road and is it passable by passenger car in dry weather?
All of this revolves around a trip over to Monument Valley and guided trip to Hunt's Mesa on Oct 2nd which I have had planned for 6 months now. I posted about this earlier and since my wife backed out of that leg of the trip I am looking for someone to split the guide cost. It involves overnight on the Mesa and guide provides camping gear, food, and 4wd up. In case you are interested please shoot me an email and we can talk.
Thanks,
Joe Rogers
Posted by Todd Caudle on September 10, 2009 at 1:20 AM
1. RIDGWAY
2. LAST Dollar Rd.
3. Forget Last Dollar in a passenger car. You can drive quite a ways from either end, but you can't make it all the way from Dallas Divide to Telluride, or vice versa.
4. As for sunrise vs. sunset, either works. Keep in mind you're going for fall colors, so even mid-morning or late-afternoon works. Bring a polarizer.
5. You can also drive Owl Creek Pass (just a few miles N of Ridgway, then 14 miles to the pass), which is fine in a passenger car, albeit washboardy in spots. Both the west side and the Silverjack area on the east side of the pass are best at sunset.
Posted by Todd Caudle on September 10, 2009 at 1:22 AM
6. The drive from Ridgway south towards Durango is stunning as well, as is the drive to Telluride and on up to Lizard Head Pass, all on paved road. Aspen City, man!
Posted by Joe Rogers on September 10, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Todd,
Thanks for the heads up about Last Dollar Road. You probably saved me some grief, for sure. Owl Creek I am familiar with to some degree and will go back. Also will trip from Ouray to Durango...it was still green when I was there last year and I hear it is beautiful. I'll have my green ribbon.
Thanks, Joe Rogers
Posted by Joshua Hardin on September 10, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Todd has given you some great advice. I would only add another alternative to Last Dollar Road with some nice views of Wilson Mesa and aspen stands is Silver Pick Road. It's dirt and washboardy in spots, but definitely passable by car.
Posted by Bill Dark on September 10, 2009 at 1:04 PM
No trip to this area would be complete without spending plenty of time at the True Grit Cafe in Ridgway...
Posted by Joe Rogers on September 10, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Josh, thanks for the Wilson Mesa tip. Any areas around Ouray, Silverton, Telluride, that you guys think are worthwile visits I would like to know about.
Bill. Do you think the pancakes in the True Grit are as good as the ones in the Ozark Cafe in Jasper Ark? Joe Rogers
Posted by Bill Dark on September 10, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Joe - haven't tried them at either place, but I suspect they are. The buffalo meatloaf is to die for, and the service and hospitality can't be beat!
Posted by Joe Rogers on September 11, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Thanks, Bill, I will definitey will give them a try. BTW, if enjoy seeing your work on the Central States NP. Joe Rogers
Discussion
8 repliesAll of this revolves around a trip over to Monument Valley and guided trip to Hunt's Mesa on Oct 2nd which I have had planned for 6 months now. I posted about this earlier and since my wife backed out of that leg of the trip I am looking for someone to split the guide cost. It involves overnight on the Mesa and guide provides camping gear, food, and 4wd up. In case you are interested please shoot me an email and we can talk.
Thanks,
Joe Rogers
2. LAST Dollar Rd.
3. Forget Last Dollar in a passenger car. You can drive quite a ways from either end, but you can't make it all the way from Dallas Divide to Telluride, or vice versa.
4. As for sunrise vs. sunset, either works. Keep in mind you're going for fall colors, so even mid-morning or late-afternoon works. Bring a polarizer.
5. You can also drive Owl Creek Pass (just a few miles N of Ridgway, then 14 miles to the pass), which is fine in a passenger car, albeit washboardy in spots. Both the west side and the Silverjack area on the east side of the pass are best at sunset.
Thanks for the heads up about Last Dollar Road. You probably saved me some grief, for sure. Owl Creek I am familiar with to some degree and will go back. Also will trip from Ouray to Durango...it was still green when I was there last year and I hear it is beautiful. I'll have my green ribbon.
Thanks, Joe Rogers
Bill. Do you think the pancakes in the True Grit are as good as the ones in the Ozark Cafe in Jasper Ark?