Honeymoon trip

Ok so we stay in the southern parts and the stops recommended. Any certain things I need to stop and look at? Just the whole area? I haven’t traveled through that part of Colorado before. I have been across I-70 just driving through a few years ago

 

If you choose to stop in Pagosa, bring a bathing suit. You can jump in the hot springs and the snow melt river. Awesome experience.

 

All of the towns mentioned good places to stay the night? Recommended resturants?

 

Hard to pick one over the other (Million Dollar hwy vs Telluride) you could miss a section and head west on CO62 at Ridgeway and see Dallas Divide to Last Dollar road (really just dirt road into Telluride) to Telluride and then Ophir pass ( a narrow shelf road this time) back to million dollar hwy (Between Ouray and Silverton).

 

I agree. It is hard to choose between the two with a limited timeframe. We have been all over the San Juan mountains over the years. I "think" I've been on every trail in the San Juans we have spent so much time in that area. Either way is a beautiful drive. I personally like Ouray over Telluride but that is just a personal opinion. Both are beautiful towns with unique things to do and see.

 

In that case save Telluride for another trip. Million Dollar hwy also has a bunch to see.

 

Sounds like a need to make a yearly trip

 

If you stay in Southern Colorado I suppose my recommendation would be to base out of Durango. The Doubletree hotel is right downtown and within walking distance to most everything you would want to see in town. If you stay there you can have a city view or a river view. And you will be able to walk right out of the back of the hotel in the evening and walk the path along the Animas River along the paved trail that runs by it. You could also stay at one of the older hotels on Main Street. Either way, everything is within walking distance. If you are a fan of craft beer then Steamworks Brewing Company has really good food and really good beer. But there are also many other good restaurants in the area. Ken & Sue's restaurant is also a good choice.

That is what we have done for over 20 years. And I still have so much to see here that I've not seen. Colorado is a big beautiful state. And there is always something to see and do here. After my wife and I were married we made a choice that we would move out here when I retired from the FD at 48. We made the move back in May of this year and I don't regret it. Colorado natives may regret it lol but I certainly don't. I've been coming to Colorado since I was 9 years old and it has never gotten old.

No matter what, It sounds like you are going to have a good time. Just don't try to pack a lot into three days as you will end up missing so much if you do. I would suggest just making a list of things that you want to see and do and then after that? Plan on making many more trips out here. No matter what, you won't be disappointed. Congratulations and enjoy your honeymoon!

 

I recommend the Silver Dollar Saloon in Leadville. Best French Dip I've ever had. We've made 3, 19 hour trips to the Colorado/Wyoming/Utah area over the last two years so it is definitely worth it. Also liked Black Canyon, although finding camping can be iffy if you haven't booked in advance. That forced us to stay in the Holiday Inn in Montrose. I do not recommend that hotel.

Wyoming, in my opinion, is very underrated and much less crowded too. But it sounds like that would be out of your way.

 

Wyoming is a beautiful state (especially as you move West). And you are right. Much less crowded unless you go to Grand Tetons or Yellowstone. But there is so much more to see in Wyoming besides those places. Beautiful drive throughout the state. Coming out of Sheridan over the Northern part of the state is a really beautiful drive in its on right.

 

Thanks so much for the recommendations guys. So many choices. I think I’m gonna skip Estes park this time and stay at least gunnison or further south. I would like to stop for a picture at the continental divide somewhere. Will I cross in a picturesque spot in the south?

 

If you decide to make your base in Durango you can drive up 550 to Silverton. Drive North out of Silverton and make your way up to Animas Forks Ghost Town. Not a hard drive and not very far. You will pass quite a few abandoned mines and Animas Forks is a really cool ghost town to walk around. And the drive up there is beautiful. It isn't a hard drive by any means. But it will put you in the middle of some of the peaks of the San Juan Mountains. But I wouldn't miss Ouray after that since it is on the way and you will be impressed at the drive on into Ouray and Ouray itself.

 

Noted @RearViewMirror. That is definitely on the list.

 

Can I get to telluride from ouray through the mountain pass? Black bear pass? Is that a paved road?

 

Nope, some consider this the deadliest "road" in USA.

Reason is people do stupid shit given the narrow, switchbacks and long way down.

 

You "can". Just realize the trip from Ouray into Telluride can be pretty sketchy at certain points. Especially as you are making the descent into Telluride. You can do it, just be prepared. Lot of switchbacks on the descent into Telluride. And that will be an all day trip opposed to just sticking to the Hwy's.

 

ophir might be an easier pass thats not paved, but i haven't done it. I was planning on it but got snowed on

the paved highway that goes around to the north isn't terrible though

 

Gotcha. I’ll stick to the hwy this trip. I might venture off on some trails if I had more time but that will be another trip

 

yeah, it's issue is width, barely enough space to get a motorcycle by but good view to see oncoming traffic.

 

How is cell service anywhere around the mountains? Do I need to plan my route before I leave town?