What to do for a non-4-wheeler to do and see in Telluride/Ouray

[Jackie]

My older brother is coming into town next week (driving from Texas to Minnesota) but planing on touring along the way. He's not a 4-wheeler but is very interested in history and would like to see some really cool stuff! (He's great at photography). I told him about Telluride and Ouray and it sounds like he plans to spend at least a couple days there.

Let me know if you think of things he might really enjoy. (Keep in mind that he is pushing 70 years old, although he is in great shape)!

Thanks for any good advise!

[Chris]

Sounds like he'd like Independence Pass and the townsite as well.

[Jackie]

Thanks Chris, I'll send him the link.

[Tom]

Durango steam train. At least to photograph.

[Jim]

The Animas Forks mining / ghost town:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animas_Forks,_Colorado

It looks to be 2WD low clearance (passenger car) accessible:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uxQnFSWQpI


A train trip on the Durango & Silverton railroad:
http://www.durangotrain.com/


If he wants to try his hand at a couple Colorado iconic scenes... The Crystal Mill and Maroon Bells are between Ouray and Independence Pass.

[Chris]

Yes, accessing Animus Fork from Silverton is 2WD friendly. The train is a pretty pricey trip ($110 IIRC) in my opinion but lots of people enjoy it. Crystal Mill requires a pretty good hike from the Marble side, we had plenty of hikers ask us if they were getting close last time we were there.

[Jackie]

Thank you to everyone! I am forwarding all of your suggestions to him!

[Patrolman]

Keep in mind that Telluride is about 2.5 hours from Durango by paved road (sort of our of his way too), and Ouray is about 2 hours north of Durango by paved road. There is obviously LOTS to see along the way, particularly between Durango and Ouray since he would be passing through Siliverton. Plenty of mountain views from the paved roads and mining history.

I agree with Chris that the train is probably over-rated for the money. I have heard that the Cumbers and Toltec is a better ride, but I have never been on it. It is relatively close to the area.

http://cumbrestoltec.com/

There is Navajo Reservoir just to the South of Durango. It is a great place to relax. It is sort of like Lake Powell with the rock cliffs.
http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Navajo


If he likes native ruins, there is Mesa Verde as well as Hovenweep. Mesa Verde will be packed. My preference is Hovenweep. There are also lots of other smaller ruins near Cortez.

If he actually goes to Durango, he should take a quick drive up to the Fort Lewis College campus. It is on a mesa above town and offers great views.

On his way to Denver he could either go through Gunnison and see the reservoir and the Black Canyon, or he could go the other direction and see the Sand Dunes.

[Jim]

I have heard that the Cumbers and Toltec is a better ride, but I have never been on it.

I've taken it "through" westerly two times. You can also do a 1/2 route - start at one end and go to the mid-point (the wonderful / scenic lunch spot) and return. While westerly has nicer build-up, if you then take the bus to return to the eastern terminal (7 hours via train, 45 minutes via bus) you don't get to walk around the western Chama NM terminal. If taking a "through" ride, I prefer east to west as there is a nice build-up through the day.

The C&T ride, moreso than the Durango & Silverton, really set me into a mindset of living back in the "old west" time frame. I enjoyed the trip. Slower times - no roads, power lines, billboards - soak up the scenery (the western end from Chama to Cumbres Pass mostly follows the state highway but the eastern end is out in nature).

The southern portion of the Durango line follows US-550 / has housing and a golf course - modern life. Perhaps the northern 2/3'ds of the line shows no sign of modern times until you get to Silverton.