Excitement Awaits in Durango, Colorado

From a Mining Town to a Vacation Destination

Located in southwestern Colorado is a small town that boasts a plethora of activities.  Durango originated as a site to service the San Juan mining district by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad.  Today it is a dynamic small town with an intriguing history that also boasts some great restaurants and shops.  Visitors will thrill in the variety of both outdoor activities and sights to see.  From hiking to mountain biking to white water rafting to scenic drives to train rides, Durango invites visitors to experience exciting or sedate activities.  Seeking more leisure activities on this visit to Durango, our thrills are making the white knuckle drive on The Million Dollar Highway, hopping aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, enjoying an afternoon of championship golf at Dalton Ranch Club and delighting in the calming waters of natural mineral springs at the Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa.

Fantastic! The Scenic and Historical Million Dollar Highway
Stopping at the Visitor Center in Durango, we get advice on driving the Million Dollar Highway.  The highway was built in the late 1880’s as part of the San Juan Skyway.  It boasts being one of the most spectacular drives in America.  Beware!  Parts of the highway lack safety features of guardrails and shoulders above deep gorges or steep drop-offs along this twisting road through the San Juan Mountains from Durango to Ouray, Colorado.  With rules to follow of 1) go early, 2) allow time for sightseeing stops, 3) don’t drive in the rain, 4) don’t drink alcohol, and 5) plan about 2 hours to drive 60 miles, we prepare for our adventure on the Million Dollar Highway.  The scenery is spectacular and majestic along this winding road as it climbs from Durango at 6,500 feet elevation to over 12,000 feet.  Initially, the scenery is green foliage in the lower elevations.  At higher elevations the terrain changes to stark rocky mountains.

While the road is winding, it is a two lane road traveled daily by cars, trucks, and tour buses.  We take advantage of stops at Andrews Lake (an Alpine lake,) Molas Pass, Red Mountain (a former mining site), and a fun waterfall.  After a short stop in Silverton, we continue on the Million Dollar Highway to Ouray.

The most challenging part of the highway is between Silverton and Ouray, sporting tight turns with no guard rails along steep terrain as the road climbs.  In Ouray, we enjoy a leisurely lunch in this charming town, known as Little Switzerland.  After a short hike to Cascade Falls in Ouray, threatening stormy skies shorten our visit.  Preferring to drive down the steepest and curviest part of the highway before a storm, we head down the mountain.

Nice try, we still get caught in a rain shower as we begin our descent.  On the return trip, we experience more thrills or chills as we drive along the edge of the winding road.  I peek out the window to look straight down from the edge of the road.  Easier for the driver on the inside of the road than for the passenger on the outside.  Thankfully, we drive out of the rain.  The pictures just don’t capture the fantastic beauty of the road, the mountains, and the terrain.  It is truly one of the most scenic roads in America offering jaw-dropping scenery.  Our only mistake, I should have driven up and Richard driven on the return trip, to allow each of us a chance to truly appreciate the magnificent scenery.

All Aboard for a Fantastic Ride!  The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Our train ride is on the diesel train that runs between Durango to Silverton, Colorado.  The construction of the railroad line to Silverton began in 1881 and was completed by July 1882.  The primary purpose of the railroad was to haul mine ores of gold and silver from the San Juan Mountains.  Estimates are that over $300 million in precious metals was transported along this railroad.  Since 1882 the railroad has been taking passengers on this spectacular trip through the San Juan Mountains.  Now to relive the “Golden Age” of Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.  Having driven the Million Dollar Highway will the mountain scenery be the same on the train ride to Silverton?

Boarding the train in Durango, our designated seats are on the left side (west) as we head north to Silverton.  The conductor greets us and reminds everyone to keep their hands inside.  The train passes within 8 inches of canyon walls.  Awesome!  The views and scenery are totally different than the Million Dollar Highway.  While the Highway goes up and around the scenic mountains the train follows the Animas River and the mountains along the riverbed.  Going toward Silverton, our views are more of the mountains, the rocky terrain and the river.  In quaint western town of Silverton, we have time to enjoy lunch, do some shopping then take the return ride to Durango.

The train turns around in Silverton so now our seats are on the east side.  Wow!  An amazing change in the scenery on the return trip.  Here we have awesome views of the river as is cuts through canyons.  The scenery is much more dramatic and breathtaking as the train chugs along sometimes high above the river with tall canyon walls and other times closer to the river.

It is thrilling!  We both stare in awe at the scenery around, below, and above us.  Rain showers come and go on the return trip adding to the beauty and excitement.  We are so glad we took the train ride.  It offers a totally different view of the San Juan Mountains.

FORE!  Exciting Golf at Dalton Ranch Golf Club
Just outside Durango, we find an exciting and demanding golf course.  The Dalton Ranch Golf Club is an 18-hole course located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in the beautiful Animas River Valley.  With a slogan that “life is better on the ranch,” we thoroughly enjoy an afternoon of golf on their challenging course.  The course is in very good condition and offers demanding yet fun game of golf.  The front nine is the more serene with holes winding in the valley.  There are still unseen or unexpected hazards on some holes that keep us alert.  While the fairways are basically flat, there is rolling terrain and on a couple of holes unexpected water comes into play.  The pace is good as a twosome the day we play.

The finishing holes each add their own uniqueness.  No. 14 a par-3 has the pin on the far right of the large green over a lake.  I am absolutely thrilled to make the green and get my par from this pin placement.  The back nine has a lot more challenges than the front keeping us aware of unexpected hazards, split fairways, and water.  Play slows down as golfer face the challenges of the final holes.  On No. 18 a par-4 water definitely comes into play on drives along with many bunkers.  It is a unique finishing hole.  We watch two players in the group in front of us go in the water along the left side of the fairway.  We both have great drives and approach shots.  I am thrilled to finish with a par while Richard has a bogey.  It is truly a challenging and exciting day of golf.  We also dine at their restaurant on this visit and are most impressed with the food, the service, and the beautiful setting.

AHHH!  Refresh & Relax at Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa
On our visit to Durango, I am excited to find the Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa. A new name and major renovation of the Trimble Hot Springs.  Now for a relaxing respite in Durango.  We schedule to go on Thursday afternoon for the “soak” in these therapeutic mineral springs.  After a warm welcome from the staff and a brief tour of the facility, it’s time to RELAX.  Entering the hot springs area one side is adults only (must be over 16) and the other welcomes families.  Looking around to get acclimated we notice there are several natural hot mineral springs pools.  The pools are somewhat hidden on a hillside providing a bit of privacy.  Trees on the hillside offer shade, too.  Each pool is named and a sign has the temperature of that pool.  Taking the steps up to the closest adult pool the sign reads 108 degrees. Too hot for us.  Close by is a 100 degree pool, now that is a perfect temperature for our first dip.  Once we acclimate, we find it is easy to go to other pools with a higher temperature.  Less shock to the body.

A super challenge is the pool that is divided with one side 107 degree and the other side 60 degrees.  Get hot and then jump (plunge) into the cold.  Awesome!  Once in the cold pool it is comfortable.  Pools are different sizes from small to large. There are plenty of areas for just relaxing or sunbathing.  The Family section has pools and activities to delight kids.  It also has a large pool swimming style pool that goes from walk-in pool to a deeper pool with a waterfall.  The staff consistently monitor the pool temperatures and change signage, accordingly.  There are showers and changing rooms, too.   We delight in testing the various pools or just chilling in the comfy chairs under sunny skies.  A relaxing, refreshing and rejuvenating respite.  .
Note: There are more pools and retreat areas under construction as the resort continues its improvements.

Durango is a dynamic small town with a lot of history and plenty to entertain visitors.  The historic downtown area has a wide variety of eateries, shops and sights to see.  On our visit we enjoy just strolling the Main Street, windowing shopping, and finding an excellent variety of eateries.  Dining ranges from a fun Food Truck to craft beer to pubs to fancy restaurants.  We quickly learn that on weekends make reservations early.  While Durango is a small town it attracts a lot of visitors in peak season so the town can be very crowded, especially on weekends.  Our accommodations are out of town at Tamarron Lodge (booked through Vacation Rental Collective) which was convenient to Durango.  The #412 condo was a perfect for our needs.  We enjoy the view of the golf course and mountains.  Durango is a unique getting away located in the four corners of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico.  For those seeking more extended adventures this is a perfect location for exploring other states.

If you go!

• Stop by the Visitors Center in downtown Durango for good information on activities, dining and more.
• Check out the article featuring the picturesque views of the Million Dollar Highway and Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad at  The Scenic San Juan Mountains from the Road & Rails.
• Book the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad early, especially in peak season. Several days were sold out on our visit.  Arrive early, the train leaves EXACTLY on the scheduled time.  If doing the train/bus or bus/train be sure to book seats on the east side to see the best views from the train.  There are a variety of train accommodations so book your preferred seat choice.
• Follow the recommendations mentioned on driving the Million Dollar Highway. It is a bit scary but it is a safe highway.  Slow and steady is the rule.