 San
Juans Adventure |
|
Dates: 10
days, 9 nights; Fri-Sun) |
Assembly Point:
Durango |
Tour
Cost: $2,795 (includes lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps & narratives) |
The San Juans of southwestern Colorado are without question among the most spectacular collection of peaks to be found among all of the Rocky Mountain ranges. That's quite a mouthful when you consider the competition — the Canadian Rockies, the awesome peaks of Glacier, the Beartooths and Tetons, just to name a few.
The San Juans have been an integral and exciting component of our program since our earliest years. In the course of this 10-day adventure, we'll go beyond the parameters of our more leisurely-paced Alpiner as we offer an alpine cycling challenge perhaps without equal in North America.
We'll assemble in Durango and on Day 1 ride into the heart of the San Juans to the quaint 19th-century mining town of Silverton. Along the way, we'll climb Coal Bank (10,640') and Molas (10,910') Passes, a pair of poignant reminders of the adventure ahead. We'll overnight in Silverton at the restored Victorian Wyman Hotel. A short, interesting ride to Ouray is on the agenda for Day 2, including an awesome climb beyond timberline atop Red Mountain Pass (11,008'). It's on to Telluride on Day 3 as we ride the Dallas Divide on the way to this world-renowned Victorian village nestled snugly against the backdrop of several of Colorado's mighty "fourteeners."
The layover day in Telluride that follows is a recent addition to this program and provides the opportunity to hike the spectacular Sneffels Highline Trail with its unparalleled views of the awesome San Juans.
A good deal of downhill highlights our ride to Montrose on Day 5, that is, once we've revisited the Dallas Divide. It's then on to Gunnison the following day, but not before a side trip to the spectacular Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of our nation's newest national parks.
On Day 7, we’ll head for the Eastern San Juans as we trace the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River into beautiful Lake City. Slumgullion Pass presents a formidable challenge for Day 8. Once we’ve crested Slumgullion at 11,361', we’ll descend to the Continental Divide atop Spring Creek Pass (10,901').
The ride from the summit of Spring Creek is one that you will never forget! We've entered the heart of the Rio Grande Forest in a high alpine setting that is indescribably beautiful. We're at the source of the Rio Grande River and at that moment you'll begin to understand the magical aura that surrounds Colorado's Rocky Mountain high country.
The Rio Grande becomes a discernible river as it descends below Creede.We'll trace its course to South Fork and an overnight at the Wolf Creek Ski Lodge. On Day 9 one final pass, Wolf Creek (10,850'), guards our approach to Pagosa Springs prior to our return to Durango the next day.
Total
Mileage — 488
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