 San
Juans Alpiner |
|
Dates: (7
days, 6 nights; Sun-Sat) |
Assembly Point:
Durango |
Tour
Cost: $2,095 (includes lodging, breakfasts and dinners, park entrance fees, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps & narratives) |
Extravagant rhetoric is unavoidable as we consider our San Juans Alpiner — there is just no other way to describe the awesome and singular beauty of Colorado's San Juans Range. Their jagged, snowclad peaks rise dramatically from the valleys and their lush stands of evergreen and aspen are reminders of the snowfalls that can isolate this alpine region during the depths of winter. And, as though this array of natural beauty needs further enhancement, both dates are timed to capture the peak of wildflower bloom in June and fall color change in the San Juan high country.
The San Juans Alpiner assembles in Durango and we'll ride westward early-morning of Day 1 to Mesa Verde National Park. Once inside the Park, we'll climb from the Colorado Plateau to the high-mesa setting of the beautiful Far View Lodge, where we'll spend our first overnight. We'll spend the remainder of the first day and the morning of Day 2 exploring the ancient Anasazi ruins of Mesa Verde. We'll leave the park mid-day for the short ride to Dolores and an overnight at the Dolores Mountain Inn. Along the way, we'll have the opportunity to visit the fascinating Anasazi Cultural Center north of Cortez.
We're headed for the heart of the San Juans early-morning of Day 3. We'll tour the old mining towns of Stoner and Rico and then begin a moderate ascent up Lizard Head Pass (10,222') on our way to the magical mountain paradise that is Telluride. We'll spend two evenings at the Viking Lodge and a layover day in this world-renowned retreat with its surreal alpine setting. Among our options for the layover in Telluride are several spectacular above-timberline hikes in the surrounding Uncompahgre National Forest.
On Day 5, we’ll trace the course of the San Miguel River as we leave Telluride, climb the Dallas Divide and ride on to charming Ouray. We’re up and out early the following morning as we challenge imposing Red Mountain Pass (11,008') in the context of one of North America’s classic alpine experiences. From Red Mountain’s summit, it’s downhill to the quaint 19th-century mining camp of Silverton and our final evening at the historic Wyman Hotel, a restored Victorian masterpiece. Our final day on tour includes ascents of Molas and Coal Bank Passes and a long downhill for our return to Durango.
Total
Mileage — 266
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