Hiking Monument Canyon Trail Review: What to Expect

The Many Adventures Near Moab Utah

What’s Moab?

Before we can talk about the many adventures near Moab, first you might be asking “Where is Moab, Utah?” I can still remember the first time we heard the word “Moab”. We were standing at the Colorado Mesa University booth at the College Fair at our local high school in Chanhassen, MN. The 2 representatives were raving about going to Moab for the weekends and all they had access to in relation to outdoor activities. Then went on and on — our eyes got wide, so did our oldest daughter’s. She eventually attended CMU for college, and then we moved to Grand Junction. Needless to say, what those representatives said that day changed the course of our lives, for the better.

At first, we thought Moab was some adventure park, an entertainment venue to visit. We slowly realized it’s the name of the popular adventure town in a remote area of SE Utah, but only 90 miles from Grand Junction. My daughter jokes it’s just an hour away. The speed limit on I-70 in Utah is 80 mph…

Two Ways to Get to Moab, Utah

The Fastest Route

Fruita, CO is the last stop in Colorado on I-70 before entering a long stretch with NO SERVICES on the way west to Moab. So get your drinks and go to the bathroom before you leave the area. There is one pit toilet as you cross the border and a rest stop with just bathrooms and a short hike up a hill if you need a little exercise.

Stay on I-70 until Exit 182/Hwy 191. Go south on Hwy 191 for about 32 miles and you will arrive in Moab. There are two gas stations at exit 182, the funky one with the Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo parked out front, and a new Golden Gate gas station.

The Scenic Route

If you want the most scenic entrance into Moab from Grand Junction, take the earlier Exit 204 on I-70 near Cisco. Look for Hwy 128 Scenic Byway and go South. There are two exits on I-70 to get onto Hwy 128, the first one is very bumpy gravel road with lots of dips and potholes, but it does go through “the town” of Cisco (it has a General Store and that’s about it). We prefer the second exit, #204, and backtrack a little. Once on Hwy 128 it’s beautiful. You are approaching the La Sal mountains as you drive along shore of the Colorado River. We did a river float into Moab that left from a landing in Cisco. Hwy 128 intersects with Hwy 191, turn left, and you’ll be in the town of Moab.

Things to Do in Moab, Utah

Josh, Paul, Emma and Michelle hiking to Tower Arch in Arches National Park

1 – The most popular thing to do in Moab is to experience Arches National Park. We have been there several times. An easy drive in, drive out on the same road. It’s 18 miles from the Visitor Center to the end. Lots of trails and arches along the way, many very close to the road. For 2026, timed-entry reservations are no longer required!

See our post about the time we took the 4×4 back door into Arches to hike to Tower Arch.

If you want to read about more moderate and difficult hikes in Arches, I suggest you read the advanced guide to hiking in Arches National Park, written by our daughter, Emma Aspelin. On her blog, Emma Gets Outside, she goes into depth describing multiple hikes in Arches, including the hike to the iconic Delicate Arch, which we have not done. She writes about easy, moderate, and difficult hikes. You won’t find us writing about difficult hikes on this blog. She’s way more experienced than we are.

Insight Tip: Did you know the second largest concentration of arches is in Colorado? Yup, you don’t need to drive to Utah to see them, check out Rattlesnake Arches Trail on the All Trails app, we did the hike, it was stunning! It’s in the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area.

2 – The second most popular adventure near Moab to explore is Canyonlands National Park. Looking down over a 1000 feet or more to the river below is outstanding. There are many cool sites and overlooks that will take your breath away. Our daughter got married near Canyonlands. THAT was incredible! Here’s how the National Park Service describes Canyonlands…

“The Colorado and Green rivers wind through the heart of Canyonlands, cutting through layered sandstone to form two deep canyons. In stark contrast to the hot, sunny desert above, the river corridors are remarkably green, shady, and full of life. Both rivers are calm upstream of The Confluence, ideal for canoes, kayaks, and other shallow watercraft. Below The Confluence, the combined flow of both rivers spills down Cataract Canyon with remarkable speed and power, creating a world-class stretch of whitewater.”

3 – Dead Horse Point State Park is near Canyonlands and is worth the drive too. Amazing views, especially the night sky! Read more on that below.

Top Day Trips from Grand Junction, Colorado

Muddy November ride near Moab

4 – After that, I imagine it’s all of the mountain bike and ATV/jeep trails that attract most people to experience adventures near Moab. We rented a side-by-side ATV and followed the trails one day, stopped for lunch, got a little muddy as it was in November, but we had a blast! I highly recommend doing that. We mention this experience in our Day Trips from Grand Junction post too.

“Jeep Week” is a 9-day event in the spring known as Easter Jeep Safari that attracts thousands of 4×4 enthusiasts. Thankfully, there is a lot of BLM land around Moab for free camping and overlanding to accommodate the influx of jeep owners. We were there once during this event; the town was super busy!

Tip: You do need to go online and take a safety test and get a certificate before you can drive an ATV in Utah. It’s called a Non-Resident OHV permit, here’s the link for more information, Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation. https://recreation.utah.gov/off-highway-vehicles/ohv-registration-and-permits/non-resident-ohv-permits/

5 – The town of Moab itself is full of unique shops, gear for purchase or rental, ATV/UTV/mountain bike rentals for all your adventure needs. There are plenty of hotels, motels and campgrounds. Lots of dining options, Pasta Jays is one of our favorites for Italian food. We had a delicious traditional Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving at the Moab Brewery. A good time for ATVing because it’s not so hot. Lots of guide services for a variety of adventures near Moab.

Michelle and Paul floating down the Colorado River near Moab Utah

Paul and I floating down the Colorado River approaching the La Sal Mountains

6 – The Colorado River is another top attraction. There are river boat guided trips you can take or launch your own paddle board, canoe, or kayak and float down the river through calm waters or rapids. There are river cruises day and night, and a couple of jet boat outfitters too if you’d like a fast ride on your vacation in Moab. We launched our rubber rafts, called duckies, near Cisco and paddled towards Moab, pulling out near the campgrounds along Hwy 128 Scenic Byway.

7 – If you’re going to be in the area for a few days, I highly recommend you drive the loop up into the La Sal Mountains. A “cool” adventure near Moab because the temps are normally lower in the mountains. It’s a 60-mile scenic drive from red-rock canyons to alpine peaks with breathtaking views year-round.

From Moab, head south on Hwy 191 approximately 8 miles and turn left at the Ken’s Lake/La Sal Mountain Loop Road sign. Take a right at the T-intersection and follow La Sal Mountain Loop Road up into the mountains. The road winds through the mountains and descends via switchbacks towards Castle Valley. At the intersection with Forest Road 207, take a left to get to Castle Valley and continue for about 10 miles. Take another left at the Hwy 128 intersection to return to Moab.

Plan about 3 hours to drive the stunning loop, depending on the number of stops you make to soak it all in. We saw some cool mountain cabins up there. It would be fun to rent one of those on a future trip while exploring new adventures near Moab.

Petroglyphs near “Wall Street” Moab, UT

8 – Canyoneering and rock climbing are very popular in Moab too. We’ve noticed climbers several times on our trips. When you drive past Wall Street Climbing Area on Potash Road there are usually climbers there. We stopped there along that stretch of road to see the Petroglyphs. You get on Potash Road from the main Hwy 191. It’s the same road that takes you to the trailhead of the Corona Arch hike I mention below. There are several places that offer horseback riding too.

Dinosaur Tracks!

9 – Dinosaur Tracks. We went to the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite twice. I was amazed that the dinosaur tracks are just there, out in the open. Sure, there is a little fence to keep the critters out, but otherwise there is a simple boardwalk that takes you right up to the tracks. It is amazing and an easy side trip just 15 miles north of Moab off Hwy 191. Go there when you want to see something very cool, and it’s free.

10 – If you want to do some hiking away from the crowds, consider hiking Corona Arch. It’s a scenic hike with views of a large arch at the end. There’s quite an elevation gain at the beginning, and a few challenges like climbing a metal ladder and holding a safety chain along a ledge. We went slow and felt very proud of ourselves for doing the moderate 2.4 mile out and back hike. After our hike, we snagged a spot in the nearby campground under a tree to get some shade and had a picnic lunch. Bring plenty of water, there’s hardly any shade along the trail and it can get hot in the summer.

Corona Arch

Corona Arch chain section

11 – There are several International Dark Sky Parks in Utah. In fact, the Dead Horse Point State Park Scenic Overlook is credited as one of the most photographed scenic vistas in the world! Moab is home to some of the darkest night skies anywhere. Get amazing views of the stars and the milky way. Arches and Canyonlands are International Dark Sky Parks too. Both Arches and Dead Horse Point offer ranger-led night sky activities.

We haven’t stayed here, but it’s on our list. Under Canvas Moab is one of the world’s first Dark Sky resorts where you can experience the wonders of the night sky. Glamping at this upscale, outdoor hospitality location is available generally March through October in their amazing safari inspired canvas tent accommodations. Located just 7 miles north of Moab. Here’s more info: https://www.undercanvas.com

Thinking about living this close to places like Canyonlands, Arches and Moab? Explore homes for sale in Grand Junction.

Your Moab Adventure Awaits

Every time we go to Moab we find something new to do. There are so many adventures near Moab for every skill level and adrenaline desires. On our return trip one time, we headed south out of town, turned east and went over the La Sal Mountains, then ventured on to Telluride, then back to Grand Junction. That was a cool drive. It was November, light snow, the mountains were gorgeous.

Day Trips from Grand Junction

We have written about many day trips from Grand Junction. Going to Moab, Utah is one we do frequently because it’s so close and usually I-70 doesn’t get shut down west of here! We feel like we are living a vacation all the time. People spend a lot of time and money to travel to destinations that, for us, are just a 1–2-hour drive from Grand Junction.

If you want us to write about local attractions or other areas of interest, let Paul know. There is so much to see and do in Grand Junction and the surrounding mountain and desert communities. Paul has lots of stories he can share.

If you are considering moving to Grand Junction, Paul will give you a tour when you visit the Grand Valley. Learn more about Paul and how he’s been serving his clients since 2001. Email Paul.

Michelle and Paul Aspelin at the Moab Brewery

Thanksgiving Dinner at Moab Brewery

Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction, but don’t forget the adventures near Moab!

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Guest Post by Michelle Aspelin

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Back Door into Arches National Park

Day Trip to Arches National Park in Moab, Utah

Did you know that there is a back door into Arches National Park? If you take this route into Arches, you can get quick access to a wonderful hike to Tower Arch and avoid the crowds! Some call it a secret back door entrance into Arches National Park, but it’s not really a secret if you just look at a map. It’s just a different way to enter the park. We’ve been to Arches several times since we moved to Grand Junction and were very excited to take this new route in our Toyota Tacoma. It was an amazing adventure!

If you do not have your National Park Pass already, then you need to enter through the main gate and pay the park fee. If you already have your National Park Pass, then you can use the back door into Arches National Park. There is a gate, but no gate keeper. For 2026, they have removed the timed-entry reservation requirements for peak season. Be sure to display your pass in your windshield in case a ranger comes to the parking lot. You should check the weather too, more below.

Antelope along the 4x4 road into Arches National Park

Antelope along the 4×4 road into Arches National Park

The “back door” entrance into Arches National Park is an unpaved, high-clearance road route primarily used for off-road recreation. A standard park map does not detail this route for navigation so download Google maps before you go. Yes, I said download the map ahead of time because you probably will not have cell service for an active Google Map. A high-clearance vehicle, preferably with four-wheel drive (4×4), is strongly recommended. This fun route includes soft sand, rock ledges, and steep sections that are impassable for most standard passenger cars. Really, don’t drive your car on this road. It is not a typical “gravel road.”

Tip: During the busy times of year, we’ve waited in line for up to 45 minutes just to enter the park from the main entrance. Entering through the back door (weather permitting) will give you more time to enjoy the park!

Check the Weather First

4×4 back road into Arches National Park

I recommend you check to see if it has rained or snowed in the days leading up to the day you want to try this route. Because of the deep sand and clay, the road can have some severe ruts and if it’s wet, I imagine it will be very muddy and slippery and you can easily get stuck. We could see the deep ruts when we drove it. They do pass through with a road grader but still, if it’s wet, that changes things. Water runs down from Klondike Bluffs. I wouldn’t go this way if it’s wet, way too much sticky mud.

Directions for the back door into Arches National Park

If you are coming from Moab, take Hwy 191 North, go right onto Willow Springs Road (BLM Road 378) approximately 13 miles north of Moab. The entrance to Utahraptor State Park is also along this road. Follow Google’s instructions to the Tower Arch Trailhead parking lot. This is NOT the way we took as we were coming from the north via I-70. We saw a lot more back-country on our route and I highly recommend it. At one point we came across twenty antelope resting next to the side of the road. Here’s the route we took.

From Interstate 70, take the Moab exit onto Hwy 191 south, but only drive 4.5 miles. Turn left onto BLM 144 (Valley City Road). After a short distance, turn right onto BLM 145 (Salt Valley Road). This is where we saw the huge herd of Antelope basking in the sunshine.

Back entrance gate into Arches National Park

Back Entrance Gate to Arches

Continue along BLM 145 admiring the Klondike Bluffs area. It’s beautiful. When you come to a “T” in the road, go right to stay on BLM 145. From here, drive about 9 miles. The name changes to Arches Salt Wash before you reach the entrance gate. The gate was open because we chose to enter Arches from the back door when the park was open. If the park is closed, this gate is probably closed.

Past the gate, you are almost there. Turn right at the sign for the Tower Arch trailhead. There’s a parking area with a nice pit toilet. Prepare for your hike and enjoy!

Leaving Tower Arch

When you leave, you can turn right onto Arches Salt Wash Road, and it will lead you to the main road in Arches National Park. Turn right onto Arches Scenic Dr. Then drive 16 miles through the park to the Arches Visitor Center and the park exit. Explore the many arches, scenic pull-offs, and hikes along the way!

Tip: Coming through the back door allows you to drive through Arches National Park, once. Coming from the main entrance you drive through the park, then you need to back-track at the end of your visit. Between saving time to get in and not having to back-track, you easily save 90 minutes of car time.

Thinking about living this close to places like Canyonlands, Arches and Moab? Explore homes for sale in Grand Junction.

Tower Arch Trail

Paul at the rock scramble part of the Tower Arch hike

This hike was AMAZING! Challenging, beautiful, and very diverse. One of our favorite hikes so far. The All Trails app rates it as a “moderate” trail and I would agree. It is 2.5 miles out and back with an elevation gain of 626 feet because it’s a lot of up and down along the trail. It’s quite a large, secluded arch hidden behind the Klondike Bluffs that is ninety-two feet wide! And since it’s off the main park road, it doesn’t get nearly the same number of visitors. We only saw a handful of people when we hiked it in November with our daughter and son-in law.

Tip: To prepare for this hike, I would bring plenty of water. And I would pack it in a backpack, so your hands are free. You don’t need trekking poles but if you do bring them, make sure you can secure them to your body, so you have your hands-free. Wear layers, a hat, and remember your sunscreen no matter the time of year. Notice I said “hands-free” twice?

At the beginning of the trail there is a rock scramble that can look a bit daunting from the parking lot but go for it! We needed our hands to help balance us as we climbed the pile of boulders. It was tricky, and we were nervous, but we did it! The trail descends into a valley, a bit more up and down, then a final climb up a deep sand dune to the arch opening. It was impressive! The views along the way are spectacular. You can see so far at the top!

We climbed up under the arch itself and looked back through the Arch into Moab and beyond. We sat for a while to soak it all in and ate a snack.

Tip: Climbing into and under the arch itself allows for an incredible “framed” photo opportunity for a memorable picture you’ll want to share! Never climb on top of an arch.

The first ¼ mile is the hardest. I was intimidated when I saw “rock scramble” in the reviews. Yes, we needed our hands, but we did it as novice hikers. We had Emma and Josh with us (daughter and son-in-law), and they were very encouraging and patient while we did our first scramble.

setting sun reflecting on the mountains in Arches National Park

The setting sun reflecting on the La Sal mountains in Arches National Park as we departed the park

After our hike, we went into Moab for dinner at Pasta Jay’s and drove back to Grand Junction. You can do this adventure as a day trip from Grand Junction, CO. However, I would stay in Moab and do more exploration of the entire area, like seeing dinosaur tracks! And if you don’t want to enter Arches from the back door, you can always get to Tower Arch from the main park road. For that stretch you can probably make it in a standard car, but the last few miles are dirt road.

Read our related post about the Many Adventures Near Moab Utah for more ideas!

If you are considering a move to Grand Junction, Paul would love to give you a relocation tour of the Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade area when you come for a visit. Learn more About Paul and how he’s been serving his clients since 2001.

We have a lot of posts about other day trips from Grand Junction so check them out! There is so much to do in just a short drive from GJ. We feel like we are on vacation every weekend.

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Guest Post by Michelle Aspelin
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Grand Junction Area Spotlight

When you move to the Grand Junction area, there are plenty of great spots in and around the area worth checking out. In this post I put the spotlight on a few of our favorite places or experiences, in no particular order. The main image on this post was taken on the Waterfowl Trail in the Connected Lakes State Park near downtown Grand Junction. I have a video about it on my Live Your Vacation Facebook Page.

Send me an email if you have any suggestions of places you think we should check out or you are curious about.

Parade of Lights (December)

Parade of Lights in Fruita

Our first Parade of Lights was officially in Fruita when we were staying there for 3 weeks during our Living in Grand Junction Experiment. It’s way too cold in Minnesota to attend a parade like this so it’s something we look forward to each December. Before the Grand Junction Parade of Lights starts, we head over to Mainstreet Bagels to get some authentic hot chocolate. Typically, we are joined by our daughter and son-in-law to enjoy the floats. It’s not too cold but you do want to wear a hat and gloves. Hot cocoa helps too!

Fruita Visitor Center

There is a Visitor Center in Grand Junction off Horizon Drive near the airport, but it’s just not as good as the Fruita Visitor Center. The GJ location went through a transition recently so they didn’t have as many brochures during that time. But the Fruita Visitor Center is always well stocked with information and volunteers to share their experiences. On one visit, we met a gentleman who lived just a couple of miles from where we grew up in Deephaven, MN. I sometimes stop in there to pick up guides, maps, and brochures for my visiting clients. I encourage you to go there yourself. We discover something new every time. They have information about all of Colorado, not just the Grand Junction area.

Colorado River Bridge

We often find ourselves drawn to the bridge over the Colorado River at Las Colonias Park near Camp Eddy. In the spring, we come to watch the powerful rush of snowmelt flowing through the river. By summer and fall, it’s the perfect spot to check water levels, relax, and watch people float by, soaking in the Grand Valley lifestyle. Sometimes we walk around the nearby Butterfly Pond. Michelle’s sister and brother-in-law stayed at Camp Eddy for 3 weeks in October. They loved being so close to the river and the Colorado Riverfront Trail. Read my post about the cons of living in the Grand Junction area where I mention the goat heads on the Riverfront Trail and how to avoid a flat tire on our bike.

Downtown Grand Junction

Realty ONE Group Western Slope office on Colorado Ave in Grand Junction

There is just something about walking downtown Grand Junction from end to end. We have many favorite shops and restaurants downtown and would be happy to meet you in any location downtown! Sometimes when we are running errands, we’ll just drive through downtown to see what’s going on. Attending the Sunday Farmers Market in Palisade the best, but we also go to the Thursday evening Farmers Market in Grand Junction several times a year.

Parking is easy, drive to Colorado Avenue, just a block off main street. You can usually find a spot to park in the lot behind the Rockslide Brewery. The lot is free after 4pm and on weekends. Keep a couple of quarters in your vehicle in case you need to pay for parking. It’s very reasonable. My Realty One Group Western Slope Real Estate Office is located in downtown Grand Junction, and I frequently pay to park in the area. Let me know if you have question about the parking apps.

Mesa County Libraries

We are constantly researching the area and we read business and marketing books as a hobby. We’ve been to the Fruita, Grand Junction, Clifton, Orchard Mesa, and Palisade Libraries. Libraries are a great resource for the community. Read my post about Mesa County Libraries and the Friends of the Mesa County Libraries. I even started a Little Free Library in Las Colonias, visiting it often to make sure it’s still filled with books, and Michelle usually finds one for herself.

Colorado National Monument Favorite Stops

Paul Aspelin standing near the top of the Serpent’s Trail in the Monument

Take the Fruita (west) entrance into the Colorado National Monument. Just before the Visitor Center, turn left at the Saddlehorn Campground. At the “Y” in the road, veer left and follow the loop around to the parking spaces in front of the Book Cliffs View. Walk out about 50 feet for some incredible views. There are a few short trails nearby, one leads to the Visitor Center. It’s one of our favorite spots to bring guests and it’s typically not crowded.

Another favorite is Otto’s Trail. It gives visitors a chance to stretch their legs and get emersed in the canyons of the Monument. A stop at the top of Serpent’s Trail is another great spot but there are only 4 parking spaces so it’s not always available when you drive by. If you can stop, walk for about 50 yards down the trail and enjoy the view! Serpents Trail is the original road to get to the top of the Monument. It’s a great hike, but a lot of elevation gain. Watch for big horn sheep, mostly along the western side of Rimrock Drive through the Monument.

Palisade Sweet Spots

Clark’s Distillery at Sunset looking at Mt. Garfield

Outside of Grand Junction, we visit Palisade the most. We always enjoy the Sunday Farmers Market, and we have some favorite restaurants if you are looking for recommendations. One of our favorite spots is to sit outside in the Adirondack chairs at Clark’s Distillery and watch the sun set over the Colorado River. The setting sun makes the Book Cliffs glow. They have great food and a variety of beverages. Another spot to sit and soak up the view is at the Colterris Winery. The winery is at the far eastern edge of Palisade on N. River Road. You are at the base of the Book Cliffs and the Grand Mesa, peering into the De Beque Canyon. Most days there is a gentle breeze due to the micro-climate of this area. It’s very peaceful.

I’ve got a few more favorite spots in the Grand Junction area, and I’ll usually mention them when I give clients a tour. If they are interested, I add them to the itinerary. Some are quick stops, overlooks, high points, special views, and unique features to point out. As a CMU alumni parent, we always enjoy pulling into the parking lot at the Outdoor Program building and watching the students walk about campus. You can get breakfast at the CMU Library building nearby. I have a post with some tips for CMU parents if your child is considering attending this fabulous Western Slope University.

Do you have a favorite spot in Grand Junction, Fruita, or Palisade? Send me an email and we will check it out!

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Silverton Day Trip from Grand Junction

It was late October when we took our most recent Silverton day trip from Grand Junction. We have been there two other times and always enjoyed this calm, scenic mountain town.

Our first experience in Silverton, CO was in 2021 when we drove from Arizona to Grand Junction to see our daughter on our way back to Minnesota. From Grand Junction we drove south along Hwy 550 to Durango. We hit many small towns in Colorado before turning north to Minnesota. That trip included our first experience on the Million Dollar Highway.

The Million Dollar Highway

We didn’t do much research about the Million Dollar Highway our first time to Silverton. I thought it was all about the “million-dollar views”. Boy, were we surprised! Paul drove with white knuckles while I could barely look out the side window down the 1000’ cliff. We both watched the road as we twisted and turned along the side of the mountain and the cliff. No guardrails. Speed limit gets down to 15 mph because of the tight curves. Once we made it safely to Durango, I looked it up online and the first website to pop up was “Most Dangerous Roads” … gulp! I texted our daughter’s boyfriend at the time, Josh, and asked him about people dying on that road. And his reply, I remember to this day, “Yeah, about a dozen people die each year on that road but it’s mostly during the winter so you don’t really need to worry.” What?!?!?!

The second time we drove it was to give our relatives a chance to see Silverton and the Road while they were visiting. I sat behind the driver vs in the passenger seat, and it went much smoother. The most recent time was in October 2025 and this time we stopped along the way and really took in the experience. We are more comfortable driving on the mountain roads now. It was much more enjoyable. We went on a Sunday when the Broncos were playing, so there was hardly any traffic on the road which made a huge difference. The first time we drove it a semi carrying logging timber came around the corner and Paul practically came to a stop in his lane (we were only going about 15 mph anyway) until the semi passed and we both gave a sigh of relief.

Where is the Million Dollar Highway?

The Million Dollar Highway is officially the stretch of Hwy 550 between Ouray and Silverton, part of the larger San Juan Skyway that makes a big loop in SW Colorado. About halfway, you go over Red Mountain Pass (10,899 ft. elevation). It’s very beautiful. There are only parts of the road with the steep drop-offs and absolutely no shoulder. Other times it flattens out and gets wide as you go through a valley closer to Silverton. I think it’s something everyone should experience once. Just go slowly and only go in good weather without snow on the ground or rain so you can enjoy it. I feel like every day trip we take is like a mini vacation. We get so lost in the experience of it all, it’s a great break.

Red Mountain Pass and Yankee Girl Mine

This is a stunning part of Hwy 550. There are actually 3 Red Mountains, named 1, 2 and 3 that stand out against the deep blue sky. There is a pullout near the top, on the north side of the pass that explains the multitude of mines in this area. It is there that we learned that the Yankee Girl Mine was one of the most profitable silver mines in the United States.

The Yankee Girl mine went nearly straight down to a depth of 1200 vertical feet. The remaining structure serves as a relic of the area’s rich mining history, and it was fun to photograph it. It was in operation from 1882 to 1890. The Yankee Girl Mine helped bring attention to the Red Mountain Mining District, which eventually became a significant mining area known around the world.

Silverton Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad

Another way to get to Silverton is to take the train north from Durango. The train drops passengers off in the downtown business district. There was a train at the station when we last visited. You can start your adventure when the train drops you off and visit the many shops, galleries, and restaurants. They offer a round trip from Durango with a 2-hour layover in Silverton or trips with an overnight stay in Silverton. There’s a special Polar Express experience during the holiday season. Get your tickets and more information at https://www.durangotrain.com.

Silverton Mountain Backcountry Ski Area

Paul gets asked a lot by clients coming in from out of state about the closest place to downhill ski. We tell them about Powderhorn Mountain Resort on the Grand Mesa or Telluride Ski Resort. But did you know that Silverton has a chairlift? It’s at Silverton Mountain about 6 miles out of town. This is no ordinary resort, in fact, there is no resort at all. Just a chairlift.

Silverton Mountain describes the experience like this. “Imagine a place where the average total snowfall of over 400 inches exceeds the amount of daily visitors. Advanced and expert only riding, no groomers, no clearcut runs and a real mountain experience with plenty of adventure on tap. All thrills, no frills.” That’s right, we saw the chairlift but no clearcut ski runs through the trees. They offer heliskiing where a helicopter drops you off, up to six times in one day, to ski Silverton’s backcountry. Be sure to bring your own food and water. They rent ski and snowboard equipment suitable for the area. It’s open to the public Thursday-Sundays during the winter and spring ski season. Private heliskiing is available 7 days a week, including Monday through Wednesday when mountain operations are closed. Learn more at https://silvertonmountain.com.

The Town of Silverton, Colorado

Ok, enough about getting to Silverton, let’s talk about what you can do while you are there for your Silverton day trip from Grand Junction. Silverton is a tiny, historic mountain town with a little over 700 residents. There are miles of ruggedly beautiful mountains surrounding the town that serve as their playground with great jeeping, hiking, biking, mountaineering, fishing, ATVing, and river running. It’s an official Colorado Creative District offering a vibrant arts community. They have outdoor music and many festivals and events during the summer months, including a farmers market in July, August and September.

The buildings are mostly classic Victorian era including the notorious Blair Street, home to bars, brothels and bunkhouses for the miners. It’s now home to shops, art galleries and restaurants, some with funky names. The main street is called Greene Street, and I think it’s the only paved road through town. It’s small but charming and welcoming. We ate at a saloon on Greene Street that still had a bullet in the wall behind the bar from the “wild west” days. The Silverton Cemetery attracts visitors during the day and even at night to experience some paranormal activities. Some buildings are said to be haunted as well. There are museums and mine tours to learn about the rich mining history.

We saw a small grocery store. There are hotels and RV Parks with cabin rentals if you want to stay the night and continue your adventure. Maybe rent an ATV and do the Alpine Loop? There are loads of small creeks that lead into the Cement Creek, Animas River and Mineral Creek. The scenery is stunning everywhere you look, just like most of Colorado.

Access the Alpine Loop

You can stay in Silverton and access the 63-mile Alpine Loop. From Silverton, the Alpine Loop connects with Lake City and there’s another access from Hwy 550 on the Million Dollar Highway that takes you to Ouray. ATVs are no longer allowed to drive through town, so you’ll need to trailer them up to a staging area or have someone drop you off for your adventure. Plan on a full day, or more, to drive the loop. The Alpine Loop is demanding, and you need to be prepared. The two 12,000-foot passes (Cinnamon and Engineer) require a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle, but the well-prepared traveler reaps the rewards: pristine mountain views, abundant wildflowers, hiking and biking trails, great camping opportunities, and ample solitude in the heart of the San Juan Mountains.

These rocky roads were first used by 19th-century miners, who carted their ore to Silverton, Ouray, and Lake City in mule-drawn wagons. They weren’t built for automobiles. There are seven ghost towns along the loop. We’d like to see Animas Forks Ghost Town someday. Make sure someone knows your travel plans and do your homework before you start your trip. Be sure you have a full tank of gas and ample food and water supplies as there are no services along the Alpine Loop itself. Oh, and it’s closed in winter. We haven’t driven the loop, we just drove a small portion from Silverton and we went a few miles on it from Lake City. Someday we will rent ATVs and experience the full loop.

In Silverton, you can rent ATVs, golf carts, e-bikes, mountain bikes, go horseback riding and participate in guided hikes. There are all sorts of outdoor adventures you can take advantage of on a Silverton day trip from Grand Junction. I really enjoyed strolling the main street and going into the shops and galleries.

If you’d like to live near aventures like this in Silverton, Get Started!

Book Recommendation

If you want to experience the 4×4 and jeeping backcountry roads in Colorado, I highly recommend the book by Charles A. Wells called “Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails” and there is a “Northern” version for roads north of I-70. I was able to snag the book at a Friends of the Library book sale, and I purchased the northern version, a spiral bound book, but we haven’t ventured north of I-70 yet. The San Juans keep pulling us south.

The books categorize the trails by easy, moderate, or difficult. They include photos, detailed maps, and descriptions about what to expect at what mile point along the trail. It helps keep us out of trouble. We stick to the “easy” roads. However, we took one 4×4 only trail in our Tacoma, Washington Gulch, to get us to Emerald Lake from Crested Butte. THAT was amazing but we got lucky. That particular road wasn’t in the book, and I think it was definitely a moderate trail. Not good for our first experience! Ask Paul to tell you the story about our trip and what the lady at the Visitor Center advised us to do! Lesson learned, do your own homework first and know your limits.

There are plenty of adventures beyond a Silverton day trip from Grand Junction that you can enjoy within 2–3 hours of the Grand Valley — and the journey is always stunningly scenic. I hope you enjoyed this post about our Silverton day trip. If you want us to write about other Grand Junction day trips, let Paul know. There is so much to see and do in Grand Junction and the surrounding mountain and desert communities. Paul has lots of stories he can share.

Red Mountain Pass mining district overlook

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Leaf Peeping from Grand Junction

When fall comes and you want to go leaf peeping from Grand Junction, you have a huge advantage over people who live on the Front Range. Here on the Western Slope, we can easily get to Telluride, Ouray, Crested Butte, and of course, the Grand Mesa. We don’t need to sit in traffic for long hours due to congestion on I-70. In fact, we don’t have to get on I-70 at all! If you are not from Colorado and you have never driven our East/West Interstate, please read my post called “I-70: What it’s really like to drive it.” And be prepared to be entertained!

Crested Butte Leaf Peeping

We decided on a day trip the last weekend in September to go leaf peeping from Grand Junction to Crested Butte. We drove Kebler Pass, which is only open during the summer months. It was stunning. Of course we stopped at our favorite spot for tea/coffee, Rumors, and ate at McGill’s Restaurant. Both are located on the main drag, Elk Ave. Supposedly the largest Aspen grove is found along Kebler Pass. The leaves were amazing, and while the pass was popular, there wasn’t any “traffic” to contend with.

We left Grand Junction and drove to Paonia, then the Kebler Pass to and from Crested Butte. On our way back, we drove through Redstone and had a picnic dinner along the river, then to Glenwood Springs and came back I-70 to Grand Junction. But we could have come back via Paonia and stayed off I-70 if we wanted to. But we like making a loop to see different things vs coming back the same way.

Fall leaves from Kebler Pass with ferns and aspen trees with yellow leaves

Kebler Pass on the way to Crested Butte

Fall leaves along Kebler Pass with mountains and blue sky

Kebler Pass view while driving to Crested Butte

bright orange and yellow fall leaves and Michelle and Paul Aspelin

Crested Butte last week of September

Eating picnic dinner along the river in Redstone showing mountains and park

We sat at a marble picnic table and ate dinner along the river in Redstone

Grand Mesa Leaf Peeping

We took another day trip the very next day. This time we went leaf peeping from Grand Junction to the Grand Mesa. We did that day trip twice this fall. The second trip was the last weekend of September, the leaves were in their peak colors. We drove up to Powderhorn Mountain Resort during their special “Color Day” celebration and took the chairlift up to the top of the mountain. That was Michelle’s first time on a chairlift. We hiked a part of the West Bench Trail at the top of the mountain and came back to the resort for a snack and listened to the music on the outdoor deck.

Yellow and green aspen leaves viewed from the chairlift at Powderhorn Mountain Resort

View from the chairlift at Powderhorn Mountain Resort

Walking the West Bench Trail among the yellow aspens at the top of Powderhorn

View of the mountain biking trail below the chairlift at Powderhorn

On a different trip up to the Mesa, we kept going on Hwy 65 and stopped at Mesa Lakes Lodge for lunch. After stopping at the Grand Mesa Visitor Center, we hiked Ward Lake. It has a great section that goes through a beautiful forest. Continuing on with our day, we hiked Land O’ Lakes, a short .5 mile out and back with the best views! It’s a paved trail that’s very high. We could see Craigs Crest, tons of lakes, of course, and even the Elk Mountains and the San Juans in the distance. That short hike is on the list for the next time we have friends or family in town. We took Michelle’s sisters there in mid October and it was still stunning. Easily one of the best viewpoints on the Mesa!

map showing the dirt road we took along Hwy 65 on the Grand Mesa

This map shows the dirt road we took along Hwy 65 on the Grand Mesa

View from the Land O’ Lakes trail overlook

Dirt road through the woods showing bright yellow aspen leaves on our leaf peeping from Grand Junction trip up the Grand Mesa

View from the dirt road – the aspen trees were glowing!

Hiking trail around Ward Lake on the Grand Mesa showing rocks, green and red ground cover and the lake

Hiking around Ward Lake

At the end of our day we relaxed and had drinks outside on the deck at nearby Grand Mesa Lodge. We were enjoying ourselves so much we ended up eating dinner there too. On our way back, we took a small bypass down a gravel road and past a campground, then back onto Hwy 65. THAT was amazing! The beautiful aspen leaves covered the road like a tunnel. Again, the Mesa was busy this time of year, but there was no traffic, no waiting in line, just great views!

Skip the I-70 Traffic: A Better Way to Enjoy Fall in Western Colorado

Online we saw several news reports of vehicles being so backed up on I-70 for leaf peeping from the Front Range that they actually had to close an exit near Georgetown. That’s not fun. Last year we stayed overnight in Denver with friends who were in town from Wisconsin to attend a concert at Red Rocks.

On our way back to GJ, we drove west to Evergreen, then to Fairplay and up to Breckenridge passing The Colorado Trail near Kenosha Pass. It was so backed up it took us an hour to go just a few miles. We vowed to never get stuck like that again! However, we did see a moose and her baby, that was cool!

When you go leaf peeping from Grand Junction, you can plan your day as you’d like. You can live like you are on vacation every day with access to the mountains and all its glory. And after the leaves peek in the higher elevations in September, you can enjoy fall again when they peek in Grand Junction around mid to end of October.

I posted some leaf peeping videos on my Facebook page called Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction.

Paul Aspelin on the chairlift at Powderhorn showing the yellow aspen leaves

Paul Aspelin on the chairlift at Powderhorn Mountain Resort

Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction!

PAUL ASPELIN, your Grand Junction Relocation and Listing Expert
REALTOR®, GRI, SRES®, CNE

Call or Text (612) 306-9558 (locally based)
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Serving Mesa County and the Grand Valley in Colorado.

Telluride: Last Dollar Road Day Trip

The Last Dollar Road and Telluride Day Trip

What an amazing day trip to Telluride! What started out as just a Last Dollar Road Day Trip also included discovering where Last Dollar Ranch was, the house in the John Wayne movie True Grit, Ralph Lauren’s Double RL Ranch, Last Dollar Pass, Tom Cruise’s old neighborhood, the Telluride one runway regional airport and drinks on the roof of the Last Dollar Saloon. Oh yes, and an indescribable experience of a Mushroom Parade down the main street in Telluride! So unexpected, it left us speechless.

Why do a Last Dollar Road Day Trip?

First, let’s start with why we planned a Last Dollar Road day trip to begin with. Michelle has this book called Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails, and the first trail in the book is Last Dollar Road. It’s rated as an “easy” trail vs moderate or hard. We prefer to only do the easy trails in our Toyota Tacoma since we are new at this. The book describes the trail as…

“This scenic ranchland and forest backroad is a great alternative to the paved drive between Ridgway and Telluride. Enjoy abundant wildflowers through early summer, great fall color and stunning mountain views.”

It is a rutted dirt road suitable for high-clearance, 2-wheel-drive vehicles when dry. Slick clay makes it impassable when wet, even for 4-wheel-drive vehicles. We wanted to see the stunning views of this mining supply road built in the 1800’s so we added it to our list of places to see. Because the road is only open in the summer, we went in August.

Where is Last Dollar Road?

Double RL Ranch overlook with view of the San Juan Mountains

Overlook at Double RL Ranch near Ridgway, CO

From Grand Junction, drive South on Hwy 50/550 to Ridgway, CO and turned right, or west. About 9 miles outside of Ridgway there is a scenic overlook we have stopped at many times to take photos of Mount Snuffles and Mount Wilson. It’s on Google Maps as “San Juan Mountains Scenic View”. See our most recent photo in this post.

What we didn’t realize until our return trip, is that fence you see, it goes on for about 20 miles, is the fence line for the Double RL Ranch, a rustic haven owned by American fashion designer Ralph Lauren and his wife Ricky. They own 17,000 acres and there’s an article online where Oprah describes her visit to the Double RL Ranch that includes some photos of his Americana themed ranch. Oprah also visited Tom Cruise’s old house in Telluride, which I will tell you about later, when we talk about the Telluride Airport. Plus, she has a home in Mountain Village!

The Amazing Drive Itself

After the scenic overlook near Ridgway, we took a left onto CR-58P. There’s a sign for Last Dollar Road. The road is closed from January to May due to snow. This is where our Last Dollar Road day trip officially begins. The unpaved county road was wide and well maintained. Our first photo op was at Mattie Ross’ Ranch from the True Grit movie with John Wayne. True Grit was filmed in 1969 and begins and ends at the family ranch of young Mattie Ross (Kim Darby), which was filmed at a historic home on Last Dollar Road above Ridgway. In the final scene, John Wayne jumps his horse over a fence and rides off into the distance. The ranch house has been restored and remains private property. The scenery around it hasn’t changed much and is as gorgeous as it was then.

Driving the Last Dollar Road: Narrow, Steep, and Stunning

We left the county road and that’s where it got narrower, steeper, and rockier. We chuckled when we saw this warning sign. Luckily, we chose to drive the Last Dollar Road during dry conditions in August. It was amazing. We went through aspen groves, spruce-fir forests and open meadows with sweeping views. The road is very rutted due to snowmelt run-off down the mountain side. We drove about 5-10 miles per hour, sometimes using 4-wheel-drive Low to climb some steep slopes. We waited for cows to move off the road once. Didn’t pass any cars on the way up, up, up to Last Dollar Pass. Each bend in the road delivers jaw-dropping scenery.

At the top of the pass, we stopped at the popular overlook. I’m not sure what the spot is officially called but it was stunning. The views are unreal. There is a ramp where the road literally goes off a cliff, so we parked the Tacoma there too and took some photos! This is where we finally crossed paths with a Jeep and a couple of motorized dirt bikes.

A Thrilling Descent into Telluride

After this we started our descent into Telluride. We hit a narrow stretch, wide enough for just one vehicle on this two-way shelf road. A few minutes later we passed a Jeep, and they rolled down their window to ask, “What road is this?” I answered the Last Dollar Road. The 75-year-old driver smirked and said, “I’m glad to hear you say that. We weren’t sure we were on the right road!” He drove off with his lovely wife. We smiled. They were more clueless that we were, but they were “doing it” at their age. That is why we take these trips while we can. While we are healthy and able to appreciate this beautiful state.

Telluride Airport

We continued our descent and popped out right at the Telluride Regional Airport (TEX). It’s a one-runway regional airport and the end of the runway drops off into a deep canyon. We have seen the airport from the free Telluride Gondola that takes you from downtown Telluride up and over to Mountain Village. We joked at how short the runway is. Now, seeing it up close, it looks even shorter. It does curve upward at the end of the runway to give pilots a “lift” for takeoff. You can see Mountain Village behind the Taco in the photo we took at the airport entrance.

Flying into Telluride: Commercial and Private Options

The Telluride Regional Airport is open year-round to commercial flights from Denver and Phoenix via United and American Airlines. However, I bet most of the traffic is from private jets and charter services. There was construction going on when we were there. They might be adding another taxiway and more hangars for all those private jets. Their website has a page about Do’s and Don’ts for high altitude mountain flying and warnings about weather, wind events, and the potential to be rerouted to other airports, like the Montrose/Telluride Regional Airport located an hour and a half north of Telluride.

A Few Famous People

Near Telluride Airport is the residential community called Aldasoro Ranch. In 1913, the Aldasoro family moved to this area from Northern Spain to raise sheep and provide lamb and wool to the nearby mining camps. Eventually they subdivided their land into individual home sites. The family still lives here and now runs Telluride Sleighs and Wagons, which offers sleigh rides and an event space with spectacular views.

I often joke with my friends about no longer being able to visit Tom Cruise in Telluride. Here’s a link to Tom Cruise’s old 298-acre mountain retreat. I say old because he sold it in 2021. Here’s a unique tidbit we also discovered while on our Last Dollar road day trip. When Tom Cruise was dating Penelope Cruz back in the early 2000’s, she would take a short trail called the Breckenridge Trail near his estate. It’s a 2-mile route above the Telluride Airport near the Aldasoro community. However, locals call the trail Penelope’s or Penelope’s Cruise. I assume she was spotted using the trail when she visited.

I mentioned Oprah Winfrey earlier when I was talking about the Double RL Ranch. You may or may not know that Oprah has a house here too. Oprah Winfrey’s Telluride House.

Downtown Telluride

Last Dollar Saloon view of Telluride box canyon mountainside

View from the roof of the Telluride box canyon

As you approach downtown, you drive in on Colorado Ave, the main street. Telluride is in a box canyon with steep slopes and rugged mountains surrounding the laid-back and unforgettable town. We drove to the end of the street before we found the last on-street parking spot. We paid for 2 hours of parking ($5) and started exploring the downtown area. As expected, there are many unique shops and boutiques, restaurants and breweries, adventure guide outfitters, museums and galleries. We spotted the historic Last Dollar Saloon and decided to go in, given the theme of the day! We had drinks on the roof with great views of the Gondola, downtown, and the picturesque mountainside. Their website touts that they were named “#1 Best Skier Dive Bar in the World”, it seems fitting.

Michelle commented about all the people gathering below on the street. We did notice a banner for the Mushroom Festival when we came into town, but had no idea what we were about to witness.

Thinking about living close to Telluride? Explore homes for sale in Grand Junction.

Mush Fest, formally known as the Mushroom Festival

The Mushroom Festival was unexpected and eye-opening. People were dressed up as mushrooms, wearing mushroom hats and other unique costumes. It’s a weekend festival described on their website as “A weekend of mushroom love, community connection and fungi everything. You can expect expert hosted forays to ID mushrooms in the great San Juan Wilderness, talks from world-renowned mycologists, a foundation of the fest rooted off psychedelics and its current resurgence, large community gatherings, culinary delights, dozens of mushroom vendors and of course the world renown Telluride Mushroom Festival parade. Every year the festival attracts 1000’s of fungi fans from across the world.”

They sell tickets for their main event in the park. We just happened to witness the parade of mushroom lovers down Colorado Ave. Some looked, well, high on shrooms, and others just strolled down the street in their fancy costumes. The town of Telluride quite literally shuts down to 1000’s of mushroom people marching down Main Street to music, dancers, drummers and some pushed a mushroom vehicle known as Amanita-mobile down the street.

After the Mushroom Parade “experience” we got dinner at Steamies Burger Bar. While we didn’t have their specialty steamed burgers, we definitely enjoyed our food. Michelle had a cup of the Truffle Herb Mac-n-Cheese and I had a great chicken wrap sandwich. The Visit Telluride website has a list of events by season and a lot more.

An Unforgettable Last Dollar Road Day Trip

We sure loved our Last Dollar Road day trip. I think we will be talking about everything we experienced for years to come. We loved the gorgeous aspen forest with unobstructed views of Sneffels Mountain Range and Wilson Peak. The range of colors from brown, green, and red against the bright blue sky was so beautiful. I forgot to mention that we noticed some forest service road camp sites on the Telluride side of the pass. There were no bathrooms, water or other services along the trail. It’s as rustic as it gets. We loved seeing the large ranches on the Ridgway side and the views from the Last Dollar Pass at an elevation of 10,663 feet. If we had family or friends in town, we might drive to Telluride on the highway and just go up to the Last Dollar Pass from Telluride and back down again. That would take less time and still offer spectacular views. Until next time!

I mention Telluride and Mountain Village in my post called Top Day Trips from Grand Junction with additional photos. This was the first time we visited Telluride without taking the Gondola up to Mountain Village. We won’t make that mistake again.

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Move to Grand Junction and Do Day Trips Like This One!

Double RL Ranch fence overlooking the San Juan Mountains

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Grand Junction Relocation and Listing Expert
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Day Trip to Ouray CO

Ouray CO, A Beautiful Mountain Town

There are so many good things to say about a day trip to Ouray CO I don’t even know where to begin. We have gone there numerous times over the past couple of years and we are always discovering something new. What’s not to like about a mountain town nicknamed the “Switzerland of America”? It lives up to the hype!

Hiking in Ouray

“Ouray’s Perimeter Trail is a unique 5.6-mile hiking experience that features remarkably varied terrain, unmatched scenery, four waterfalls, six bridges, up-close geology, a hidden troll, and a rocktopus. Hiking it involves approximately 1,800 feet of elevation gain and loss and will typically take 4-5 hours to complete. Good footwear and trekking poles are highly recommended.”

Exploring the Perimeter Trail and Cascade Falls in Ouray

We started at the beautiful Cascade Falls. The trailhead is just .3 miles from town, accessed via 8^th Avenue. We walked up to the falls and then hiked up further along the Perimeter Trail clockwise. Amazing views of the town below the whole time. The trail was in good shape, but lots of loose rocks and gravel made it sometimes feel a bit slippery. Thankfully we bought our new trekking poles, because they helped us keep our balance and gave us a boost when going uphill.

Ouray Perimeter Trail just after Cascade Falls going clockwise

After hiking about 3 miles and came back to town using the 5^th Avenue connecting trail. We walked through town, got some lunch, and walked back to the car parked at Cascade Falls. That’s the nice thing about the Perimeter Trail, there are several connecting trails from town so you can hop on or off to make the hike as long or as short as you want. We really enjoyed it and plan to do a different segment next time we are in town or driving through.

Short but Stunning: Box Canyon Falls Hike

Another great hike is Box Canyon Falls. We did that one when we had family visiting from Minnesota. Very impressive! The water goes so fast, and it’s loud. Everyone should experience this short hike. Bring water and go slow as there are a lot of steps to climb. You might experience a little spray too so be prepared. There is a small fee for parking and access because it’s on private property.

Dining and Shopping in Ouray

Goldbelt Bar and Grill in Ouray featuring outdoor patio dining

Goldbelt Bar & Grill outdoor patio dining

We ate on the outdoor patio at Goldbelt Bar & Grill. Excellent service. Good food and great views, of course. It’s a family-friendly place with burgers, pizza, sandwiches, salads and locally brewed beer.

We also enjoyed the Ouray Brewery with its fantastic, covered roof-top deck for outdoor dining. They serve typical pub-style American cuisine. I’m sure other places are great too, but those are the two we have been to. We also had excellent food at Mi Mexico, a family restaurant a couple blocks off Main Street. Large portions!

It’s fun to walk along Main Street and go into the many boutiques, shops, and galleries. We’ve bought a few things along the way for ourselves or as gifts for others. You can mosey along at a slow pace and just soak in all the beauty that surrounds you.

There are other in-town experiences like entertainment venues including the historic Wright Opera House, museums and art and culture.

Ouray Hot Springs

A day trip to Ouray CO should really include a soak in the Ouray Hot Springs Pool. There are sections with a water slide and obstacle course that attracts the kids. Adults 18+ have their own Overlook Pool to relax in a more peaceful setting too. The natural minerals in the sulfur-free water are beneficial for your body and your soul. We were there in summer and winter, during the day and after dark. Each experience is different and treasured. The Overlook Pool is about 102° – 106°. There are lockers in the changing rooms, but we just brought a bag for our stuff and set it next to the pool. Be sure to bring water shoes and a towel. Check out their website for rates and more information. Ouray Hot Spring Pool.

Adventure Trips

If you are looking for something a little more adventuresome here are several options:

Ouray Via Ferrata (climbing experience). There are more than 1500 Via Ferrata routes in the world, but currently less than 10 in North America!
Ouray Ice Park (winter ice climbing)
World renowned jeep/OHV trails allow you to experience the 4×4 only trails/roads through the scenic San Juan Mountains
Horseback riding
Backpacking
Camping
Mine Tours

Million Dollar Highway

You can’t talk about a day trip to Ouray CO without mentioning the Million Dollar Highway. It’s part of the San Juan Skyway Colorado Scenic Byway. The Million Dollar Highway is the stretch of Hwy 550 that runs south out of Ouray, over Red Mountain Pass (elevation 11,018), and into Silverton. It is one of the most spectacular, scenic, and treacherous, drives in the US. Much of the time the speed limit is 15 or 20 miles per hour because of the sharp curves and drop-offs to the gorges below.

The shoulder is pretty much non-existent, and you won’t find standard guard rails either. Because of the steep slopes, this section gets a lot of avalanches that destroy the guard rails. They just stopped repairing them and removed them. It makes plowing easier because they can push the snow over the edge vs needing to blow it over a guard rail. I would never drive it in the height of winter.

First-Time Thrills on the Million Dollar Highway

Our first time driving the Million Dollar Highway we went south from Grand Junction to Durango. We had no prior knowledge of what to expect. Some think it’s called that because of the “million dollar views”. We knew it would be scenic, but we didn’t realize it was a white-knuckle kind of drive. Michelle could hardly look over the side as the passenger. As the driver I had to be laser focused on the road and could only glance over for a second. When there wasn’t oncoming traffic, I drove right down the middle of the two-lane road!

The worst was when we were approaching a sharp curve. We were in the “outside” lane with a steep 1000’ drop just about 10 inches from the white line. As we approached the curve, a section of the asphalt was sunk in, like it might give way, a semi-truck carrying logs comes around the corner barreling towards us. I pretty much came to a stop and held my breath! After he passed, we continued, thanking our lucky stars. As a first timer, it was incredible. We just wanted to get over the pass and to Durango. I guess there are pullouts along the road but obviously I didn’t see any because my eyes were glued to the road.

We have since been on the road two other times and had a much calmer experience.

If you’d like to live near adventure like this in Ouray, Get Started!

Roads and Mining in Western Colorado

Michelle has read many books about the history of Western Colorado. The most recent one was called “The Road that Silver Built: The Million Dollar Highway” by P. David Smith. When Ouray was first becoming a mining town, you got there from a wagon road from Lake City. There was no north/south road from Ouray to Silverton. Roads came from the east. The book explains how each segment was built and describes the numerous 4×4 only roads that were the first roads to access Ouray and Silverton.

The great Otto Mears built many of the first roads in the 1880s for wagons and carriages that eventually became roads for automobiles. Some were so steep, 14 percent grade, that they still remain as trails but never became part of Hwy 550. Mears also made the trails in the Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction.

Mining History and Scenic Peaks of Ouray

Of course, it was silver and gold that brought the prospectors to Ouray in the 1870’s. Some of the most profitable mines are in Ouray. Camp Bird Mine was the second largest gold producer in Colorado. It’s located in the Imogene basin on the way to Telluride. There are dozens of mines in Ouray County and lots of back country roads to get to them and the ghost towns that remain.

The town of Ouray was founded in 1875 along the Uncompahgre River where it runs north out of the stunning San Juan Mountains. Ouray County, CO, is known for several 14ers, including Mount Sneffels, Wilson Peak, Mount Wilson, and El Diente Peak. Plus, numerous more in the “Ouray, Lake City, Silverton triangle” which refers to the Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway, a 65-mile system of unpaved roads connecting the three mountain towns. It’s a popular area for off-road and backcountry recreation, offering stunning scenery and access to historic mining areas.

Plan Your Day Trip to Ouray, CO

If you’d like to take a day trip to Ouray CO, book it today! It is a unique mountain town with so much to offer. It’s about 90 miles south of Grand Junction, an hour and 45-minute drive. Read my post about Ridgway State Park because you might want to stop there along the way too! And maybe take Owl Creek Pass on the way back.

Why Grand Junction’s Climate Might Be Perfect for You

If you are looking for a mild climate with all four seasons, consider moving to Grand Junction, CO. We are in the high desert (low humidity) with quick access to the Rocky Mountains. When it’s 95 degrees in Grand Junction, we can enjoy a Day Trip to Ouray, CO and it’s in the low 80’s. Perfect for outdoor activities! Read my post about Grand Junction weather to learn more.

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Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction!

Ouray Cascade Falls Michelle and Paul Aspelin

Michelle and Paul Aspelin at Cascade Falls in Ouray, CO.

Text/Call 612-306-9558

PAUL ASPELIN, REALTOR®
GRI, SRES®, CNE

Grand Junction Real Estate Expert
Connect with me on LinkedIn or send me an email.
Learn more about my experience and how I serve my clients

Candle Kitchen GJ

Candle Kitchen GJ 5th and Main Street

Candle Kitchen in Grand Junction

We were walking down the sidewalk on Main Street in downtown Grand Junction when we saw a wood board with an arrow pointing to “Candle Kitchen GJ”. I had heard about it but had never been inside so we turned onto 5^th Street to check it out. It was amazing!

At Candle Kitchen GJ you can buy soy candles on the spot. They have other related products as well, like car fresheners and wax cubes. A great place to shop for a gift for someone or yourself! They opened in 2018 and offer over 160 scents! Here’s their website. https://www.candlekitchengj.com

Here’s how they describe it.

“Our candles are all Soy Wax with Cotton wick and our fragrances are either a high quality, skin safe fragrance oil or essential oils! Even our 8 oz candles burn for over 60 hours, and the scent is evenly blended through top to bottom!”

We sniffed a lot of scents that day and decided I would come back to create some custom scented candles of my own. I have a family event coming up and I thought it would be fun to make small candles for everyone. They sell pretty glass containers at the store, or you can bring in our own glass or ceramic containers for your custom candles.

Candle Making Preparation

I wanted to make small candles, so I went to Goodwill and bought a variety of small drink glasses for about $1.12 or $1.59 each. We also had some small fruit mason jars on hand. I took all 13 to Candle Kitchen GJ on a Saturday morning and made candles for my mom, sisters, nieces and nephews, my kids, and of course, a couple for myself. It was a blast!

I brought in my box of jars. They cleaned them and measured how much wax would go into each one. When you bring your own jar, you pay for wax by the ounce. You don’t make a reservation. It’s first come, first served. They do have a private room if you have a group who want to make candles.

I made a list of about a dozen scents I wanted to use, and they brought over the bottles of essential oils plus little sniffing tins so I could experience what it might smell like if I combined scents.

Making Custom Candles

I started with the Margarita scent because it seemed like a great candle scent. From there I made candles with mountain smells like juniper, fir, spruce, pine, and sage. I made some with Palisade peach, pear, mango, eucalyptus, goji berry, jasmine, lavender, and lavender fields (slightly different). I used some unique scents like green tea too.

A woman near me mentioned tobacco and I thought, hmm, tobacco? I paired that with brandy and it made one of my favorite candles! For most of them I just blended two scents, like lavender and sage, others I added three or four. I added coconut to one that needed a hint of sweet. They have floral, fruits, spices, summer scents, the great outdoors, and spirits. So many unique ones, like desert, earth, and morning dew! And many more masculine scents too. Candles are great for all people! They list all the scents on their website.

Nikki and Teagan were working that day and both were absolutely terrific. Helping me determine what might make a good blend. Nikki instructed me on the process, how I measure out my essential oils, checking the smell as I went along, then adding it to the hot wax in my jar and stirring it for a minute to make sure it blends with the wax.

It was busy that morning with several small groups coming in while I was there, but I never felt like I was waiting on them. They were masters at keeping everyone moving through the creative process.

Pickup Later

I came back two and a half hours later to pick up my hardened candles. They had cleaned the edges to make them look nice, straighten the wicks, and put a final glaze on the top to finish them off. Nikki applied the handwritten labels I had made to the bottom of each candle.

I am so excited to take these to my family event in Michigan and let everyone smell them and pick their favorite! And, when my candles are done, I can bring my jars back and refill them!

Make your own candles at Candle Kitchen GJ!

I would highly recommend doing this with a small group of friends or just yourself. I had a great time just me. Whether you live in Grand Junction or are just visiting, I would add this to your list. You can purchase pre-done candles too in some very cool scents that you probably won’t find elsewhere. What a great memento of your experience in Grand Junction.

Guest post written by Michelle Aspelin

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