Colorado Snapshots for Tom and Hayden

[cpm9ball]

I'm posting two shots to see how they look.

 

This first image is the town of Ouray looking toward the north. Main Street is on the left and leads to the valley which is the northern entrance of the town. I'm on the road that leads to the pass (13,100') about 1,000' above the town. This view encompasses about 90% of the town.

 

This second image is closer to the town and gives you some idea of the height of the peaks to the east.

 

I'm going to try to enlarge the next few images to see how they look.

 

Chris

[cpm9ball]

Here are three more at 800x600.

 

Looking north along Main Street.

 

Ouray attracts alot of bikers in the summer.

 

Another view from the pass road looking northeast. I'm at 9,000'.

 

I'll be resizing more photos, but in the meantime, here is one for you dog lovers taken in Palasade, CO just east of Grand Junction:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep going!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris

[Yarm]

Ouray, a great little town!

 

[EZ_E]

Cool photos, Chris!

[cpm9ball]

Thanks, Victor! Here are some more on the way to Dinosaur National Park which is about 100 miles north of Grand Junction. We got on I-70 West to the town of Fruita about 15 miles from Grand Junction and took Rte.139 north to the town of Rangely. From there we took Rte. 64 to the town of Dinosaur. From Dinosaur you can go east on Rte. 40 to the Colorado entrances to Dinosaur National Park or west to the Utah entrance to the park. We chose to go to the Utah entrance because that is where they have the working quarry enclosed in a building for you to view the fossils embedded in the rock. Unfortunately, the quarry has been closed for safety reasons. Apparently, water has been seeping into the cracks and crevices. During the winter when the water freezes, it is gradually causing the face of the quarry wall to break away. It may take years and, definitely, a lot of money to keep from losing the quarry. If anyone has any loose change they want to donate, this would be a good place for it.

 

Douglas Pass is about midway between Fruita and Rangely.

 

You can see Rte. 139 in the middle of the photo as it curves around a bend to the left. On our return home, we stopped at that point to look back toward the pass. I couldn't even make out the signpost with a pair of binoculars.

 

This formation is on the west side of Rte. 139 about 15 miles south of Rangely.

 

The next five photos are some of the landscape in Dinosaur National Park.

 

Petroglyphs

 

This has been around a whole lot longer than the Sphinx.

 

Hey, look at that big lizard on top of that rock!

 

This is close to Douglas Pass. How would you like to live here and................

 

have this as your backyard.

 

I'm saving the best for last. Tomorrow, I'll try to post pictures of the Colorado National Monument.

 

Chris

[Hoot]

Great photos Chris! I love Rusty's Dream and the Green River geology is delectable . I want to live in Ouray.

 

Hoot

[WinstonWare]

I lived in Colorado for 4 years and had to return to Boston 5 years ago to find work after the technology crash. I had forgotten how brilliant the sun is at elevation. This thread is making me sad

[IGWT]

I sneaked a peak. Great photo tour, Chris!

[Bruceswar]

Chris I have been on Duoglas pass as well. Did you happen to see any cows along the road? Sweet photos. I love Colorado!

[cpm9ball]

Chris I have been on Duoglas pass as well. Did you happen to see any cows along the road? Sweet photos. I love Colorado!

 

Yeah, Bruce, I did as we were going down the north slope. There are signs posted all along the roads, "Open Range", and drivers must really be alert. Personally, I'd rather hit a cow than go off a cliff.

 

Chris

[Bruceswar]

You know I agree 100% with you. It was a bit odd coming around the corner and seeing them there. Sounds like a great trip.

[HaydenTubbs]

Gorgeous pictures Chris,I especially thought it was interesting how it's literally flat town and then boom! A mountain! It would take a flatlander like me a while to get used to waking up and seeing that every morning.

 

 

Thanks for posting

[Merc]

Neat, I was in Ouray a year ago. The Aspen trees look great in the fall. I tried to climb Mt. Snuffles near Ouray. It is one of the 14,000 ft + mountains. My friend made it, but I gave up. I live at sea level and was not adjusted to the thin air. The next day there was a major snowstorm. The place is pretty in the summer but rough in the winter with all the snow.

[cpm9ball]

Merc, do you live in Frederick? I was born in Rockville.

 

Chris